Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the 2026 OSGA Annual Lecture held at the University of Oxford on May 19, where she delivered a lecture titled “The Politics of Development: Sri Lanka and Beyond.”

The lecture was held at the St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, and organized by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA), the department’s flagship annual event that brings together leading academics, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss contemporary global challenges.

Addressing an audience comprising students, academics, and researchers from across the University of Oxford, the Prime Minister reflected on the intersections of development, governance, and politics in Sri Lanka while discussing the broader realities faced by countries attempting to achieve meaningful social and economic reform.

During her lecture, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that development cannot be understood only through policies, statistics, and economic models, but must also be viewed through the everyday lived experiences of people. She highlighted that governance often requires balancing ideals with practical realities, particularly in countries recovering from economic crises, institutional challenges, and long-standing inequalities.

The Prime Minister also spoke extensively on women’s political participation and representation in Sri Lanka, noting the growing involvement of women in grassroots political movements and leadership spaces. She reflected on the efforts taken to create greater political opportunities for women and the continuing challenges faced in transforming deeply rooted social and political structures.

Speaking on economic recovery and social policy, Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted the importance of recognizing both paid and unpaid care work, stressing that the contribution of women to families, communities, and the economy has often remained invisible in traditional economic systems. She noted that sustainable development must ensure economic progress while also protecting dignity, fairness, and social well-being.

The Prime Minister further reflected on the relationship between governments, international development agencies, and local institutions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that development priorities remain grounded in local realities and accountable to the people they are intended to serve.

Drawing from her experiences as a social anthropologist, activist, academic, and political leader, Dr. Amarasuriya also discussed the challenges of translating activism and public movements into long-term policy reforms and institutional change. She noted that meaningful transformation requires patience, negotiation, and sustained public engagement.

The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session with the audience, during which discussions focused on governance, institutional independence, political reform, economic recovery, and the challenges of balancing democratic accountability with policy implementation.

Professor Diego Sanchez-Ancochea, Head of the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, commended the Prime Minister’s lecture, describing it as an important and timely reflection on the relationship between politics and development, informed by both scholarly insight and practical political experience.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that politics is not something separate from development and it shapes every choice we make in governance, while addressing the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, Brighton. during her official visit to the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport at 8.00 p.m. Sri Lanka time on 18 May, commencing the official visit to the United Kingdom.

The delegation was warmly received at Heathrow Airport by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr. Nimal Senadheera, together with the Special Representative to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom and former British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr. Richard Wildash, along with other diplomatic officials.

On the following morning, the Prime Minister arrived at the University of Sussex in Brighton, where she was received by Professor Anu Joshi, Director of the Institute of Development Studies, Professor Mick Moore, and senior representatives of the University of Sussex.

Addressing the public event, the Prime Minister reflected on the relationship between politics, governance, and development, drawing from Sri Lanka’s recent political and economic experiences. She emphasized the challenges of balancing governance, economic recovery, social protection, and institutional reform while responding to public expectations and maintaining democratic accountability. 

The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s ongoing policy focus on recognizing paid and unpaid care work as a central component of the national economy, particularly the contribution and challenges faced by women within the care sector. 

During the visit, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is also expected to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by an interactive discussion with scholars and students.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is also expected to meet senior representatives of the United Kingdom government, including Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, and Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom. She is also expected to meet Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has departed for an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

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The Ceremony to welcome and present the Sannas Patra to the Chief Incumbent of the Kotte Madiwela Sri Gnanananda Buddhist Centre and the Nikapotha Subhadraramaya Piriven Maha Viharaya in Haputale and Sri Rathanajothi Vanshalankara Saddharmavagishwara Shastra Visharada Panditha Mahopadhyaya, the Most Venerable Nikapotha Chandrajothi Maha Nayaka Thero, conferring the title of Mahanayaka of the Maha Viharavanshika Udarata Amarapura Maha Nikaya, was held today (17) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Mahanayaka of the Maha Viharavanshika Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithreemurthi Mahanayaka Thero. During the ceremony, the Sri Sannas Patra conferring the position of Mahanayaka of the Udarata Amarapura Maha Nikaya was presented to the Most Venerable Nikapotha Chandrajothi Maha Nayaka Thero by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The event was graced by the presence of Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas, and attended by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, other Ministers and Members of Parliament, the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, government officials, and a large gathering of devotees.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the foundation for nurturing the intellectually developed and civilized citizens we aspire to create lies in the collective experiences students gain during their school years. She further noted that the government has ensured thirteen years of school education in order to provide students with the opportunity to gain such formative experiences.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending as the Chief Guest at the awards ceremony of the “2024/2025 All Island School Drama Competition,” organized for the 30th consecutive year by the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, held at the Savsiripaya premises on May 15, 2026.

Elaborating further, the Prime Minister stated:

Despite victory or defeat in such competitions, the experiences students gain through participating in such arts and cultural activities are valuable in shaping not only their own lives but also the kind of citizens with morals that the country needs. However, today we can observe a growing tendency among adults to rush children through their school education and turn them into adults as quickly as possible. This is not a suitable approach for producing the refined citizens the country needs.

She further stated that under the government’s policy vision of creating “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life,” a number of transformative changes must take place in the country. The Prime Minister stated,

Since the prevailing economic, political, and social crises are deeply intertwined with human lives, they cannot be resolved through legislation alone. A clear transformation in social attitudes is also essential.

The transformative change we seek can greatly benefit from the contribution of the arts in cultivating individuals who are intellectually and culturally refined. The education system itself must undergo transformation with the aim of nurturing creative, compassionate and capable citizens with leadership qualities, who can contribute positively to society.

Although not everyone who participates in stage during school life will become professional artists, the experiences they gain will shape them into creative and outstanding individuals within society. Reading a meaningful book or watching a quality film can guide the human mind toward positive and new ways of thinking. Such experiences foster the attitudinal growth necessary to create a new world.

Teachers and parents who create the path for such decisive and meaningful experiences in children’s lives are carrying out a significant responsibility. Only through such a younger generation with talent and sensitive mind set can become the leaders the country needs, and recognizing these talents plays a vital role in creating that foundation.

The event was attended by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, the Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, the Director General of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, secretaries to the Ministry, and government officials, students.

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The crisis is still not over

It is necessary to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during Vesak Week

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government has managed the energy crisis in a way that does not cause hardship to the public, unlike in some other countries, by bearing the associated costs without placing a burden on the people and by implementing a sustainable management process. However, she emphasized that the crisis has not yet come to an end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the sixth meeting of the committee appointed to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the public service, held today (15) at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, focused on sustainable energy management and future measures to be taken in that regard.

It was decided to appoint an “Energy Manager” for every government institution in order to promote energy conservation within the public sector, and to encourage a shift towards renewable energy sources. Discussions were held on taking the necessary steps to transform government buildings in line with the Green Building Concept under the “Clean Sri Lanka” national programme.

Attention was also drawn to the possibility of providing future fuel concessions, as well as replacing the current odd-even fuel distribution system with a QR code-based fuel distribution method and increasing fuel quotas. Officials stated that sufficient fuel stocks are available until August, and that requests have already been made for the fuel requirements for the remaining months of the year.

With the aim of promoting sustainable electricity consumption management, attention was also given to programmes under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative to educate schoolchildren on energy conservation. Discussions included identifying and recognizing households that effectively manage electricity consumption, and educating students on methods of electricity management so that awareness can be spread through schools.

The meeting also discussed measures to be taken to introduce the Green Building Concept in future construction projects.

The Prime Minister further stated that due to the government’s proper energy management, the public has not paid significant attention to the existing crisis. In many other countries, fuel queues and power cuts continue to occur. However, Sri Lanka has managed the crisis effectively. She stressed that the crisis is still not over and that continuous vigilance is necessary. She also highlighted the importance of sustainable energy management and public awareness programmes in making awareness in this regard. The Prime Minister further emphasized the need to ensure uninterrupted and adequate electricity supply during Vesak Week.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Chief of Staff to the President Mr. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Senior Additional Secretary to the President G.G.S.P. Roshan, along with secretaries, chairpersons, and officials from the Ministries of Public Administration, Health, Transport, and Energy.

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