Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, who will be retired, met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne at the Ministry of Education today (28).

The Prime Minister and the Deputy Minister appreciated Mr. Udeni Rajapaksa’s invaluable service and extended their best wishes on his retirement.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Sri Lanka has achieved a remarkable milestone at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2024, held in Brunei Darussalam from December 4th to 7th, 2024. The nation’s young innovators secured a Runners-Up position and two Merit Awards, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s growing prominence in the global technology landscape.

On January 27, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the students who achieved this remarkable feat at the Prime Minister’s Office. She expressed her appreciation for their outstanding contribution to technological innovation.

These young talents emerged through the Young Computer Scientist (YCS) competition, organized by FITIS in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the University of Colombo School of Computing, with ESOFT Metro Campus as the Title Partner. Their award-winning projects showcased groundbreaking solutions in AI-powered energy efficiency, IoT-based smart irrigation, and optimized gaming experiences for low-spec devices, addressing real-world challenges with innovation and creativity.

FITIS Chairman, Indika De Zoysa, expressed his pride in the students’ achievements, emphasizing the importance of nurturing young talent to position Sri Lanka as a hub for technological excellence. Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya also underscored the government’s commitment to empowering youth in ICT, recognizing their role in shaping the country’s digital future.

Sri Lanka’s success at APICTA 2024 not only celebrates the brilliance of its young innovators but also marks a significant step towards global recognition in the ICT sector, opening doors for future opportunities and collaborations in the industry.

Prime Minister’s Media Division. 

Hon.Catherine West, Member of the UK Parliament and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on January 27, 2025, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, Ms.Catherine West and Dr. Amarasuriya engaged in discussions on key government priorities, including poverty eradication, regional development, and economic equity.

The dialogue also addressed Sri Lanka’s digital transformation initiatives and the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, with Dr. Amarasuriya highlighting the importance of social responsibility and inclusive governance in driving national progress.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Ms. Damithri Samangika, Assistant Director of the Europe & North America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division.

The Commanding Officer of the Police Special Task Force, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Senior DIG), and Attorney-at-Law Waruna Jayasundara, met with the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Prime Minister’s Office this morning (25).

This marks the first official meeting between Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara and the Prime Minister following his appointment as the 13th Commanding Officer of the Special Task Force. The Prime Minister extended her best wishes to Senior DIG Jayasundara on his appointment and expressed confidence in his force leadership.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Subjects of Aesthetics, Information Technology or Accounting will not be removed

While responding to a question raised in the Parliament today (23) Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the results of Grade 5 scholarships examination, which was suspended due to the leakage of exam papers, will be released in the near future.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated that the previous regime had not developed a plan to implement the education reforms presented. “Therefore, we expect to review those reforms, make necessary alternatives for a positive transformation in education and implement it from 2026 onwards”.

“We look forward to revising the content of subjects such as aesthetics, information technology and accounting to a more appropriate level rather than removing them from the curriculum. These subjects should be available in the curriculum”, she highlighted.

Dr. Amarasuriya claimed that special emphasis must be given to teacher training. Attention has already been given on reducing the gap between schools through the establishment of infrastructure needed by schools and on the content of the school curriculum. “It is our objective to create an environment where a child admitting to a school can have an educational experience that paves the way to the wide world in front of him” she expressed.

The curriculum is being revised through educational reform proposals. Accordingly, the curriculum will be revised in such a way that the number of subjects currently studied by the students and the pressure laden on students through the assessment process are minimized. The ultimate goal is to provide a non-burdening practical education to children rather than an exam-centric system.

In terms of higher education, the Premier expressed hope for expanding higher education opportunities in the fields of science, technology and vocational training. “In this regard, we have focused more on improving the quality of vocational education that directly contributes to the country’s economy” she explained.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who stated that steps have been taken to provide footwear to selected 700,000 school children across the island said that the suspended results of the grade 5 scholarships examination will also be released in the near future.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

A discussion organized by the Ministry of Environment on the progress of the Parliamentary bill prepared to ensure the rights of indigenous community and to resolve existing legal issues regarding their fundamental rights was held at the Parliament Complex with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 22.01.2025.

Uruwarige Vanniyalaththo, the leader of Vedda community who participated in this discussion explained the historical value of their community and drew the attention of the Prime Minister to the issues they are currently facing. He further mentioned about the Indigenous Rights Act prepared in accordance with the United Nations Charter and pointed out that the issues faced by indigenous people in their daily lives had not been properly addressed even though the previous Governments had taken several measures in that regard.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Cultural Affairs Sunil Senevi said that the Veddas are a historical asset of the country and it is essential to protect them and ensure their rights.

Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabendi stated that the Ministry of Environment will take the necessary steps to enact the necessary laws and regulations to protect the rights of the indigenous people in Sri Lanka.

Officials from the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Wildlife explained the status-quo and the future measures that will be followed on addressing the issues.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the indigenous community plays a vital role and that the rights enjoyed by everyone else should also be enjoyed by the indigenous community. The Premier, who paid attention to the existing legal and technical issues to minimize the problems faced by them as an indigenous community, requested the officials to take the necessary legal action to assure the rights of the indigenous people within the next three months.

Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabendi, Minister of Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Member of Parliament Sugath Balagalla, Director General of Wildlife Suriyabandara, a group of officials representing the Ministry of Environment and the Centre for Policy Alternatives and members of the indigenous community participated the discussion.

Prime Minister’s Media Division