Minister of Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that ensuring the education and well-being of children is not solely the responsibility of the government and the teachers, but also a shared responsibility of all citizens. The Prime Minister made these remarks on 18 June while attending the occasion of foundation stone-laying for a new two-storey building at Walaswewa Gunapala Malalasekara Model School in Maho.

Established in 1936 as a temple school and later brought under the government school system, Walaswewa Gunapala Malalasekara Model School was compelled to close in 2004 due to various reasons. However, after being reopened, it has developed into a distinctive educational institution with approximately 1,300 students currently receiving their education there.

Addressing at the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

"The commitment shown by local residents and well-wishers of the school towards its development, in addition to the intervention of the government, is commendable. Ensuring the education and well-being of children is not only the responsibility of the government and teachers, but also a shared responsibility of the entire nation. By the year 2026, there should not be a single school lacking its basic facilities, and the government is committed to achieve this goal.

Children should not be viewed through the narrow lens of being either talented or untalented. Every child possesses unique abilities. It is the responsibility of the education system to identify those abilities and help each child reach their full potential.

The ultimate objective of all government investments is to nurture citizens who are creative, resilient and critical thinkers. Through the ongoing education reforms, we are creating opportunities for children to access and excel in the new fields and possibilities emerging across the world."

The new two-storey building, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 37.6 million, will comprise six classrooms and an office. Construction is scheduled to be completed before the end of this year

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Kurunegala District Member of Parliament Geetha Herath, Chairman of the Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha Sumedha Kumara, Secretary to the North Western Provincial Chief Ministry Chandana Wanninayake, other government officials, North Western Zonal Director of Education R.M.I.M.A. Jinnah, education officials, the Principal, members of the academic staff, and other invitees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that it is the Government’s priority to create an environment that enables all children, without discrimination, to access the opportunities in the modern world and to confidently pursue their dreams.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Annual Prize-Giving Ceremony for the year 2025 at St. Bernadette’s Model School, Kurunegala, during an education inspection tour in the Kurunegala District on 18 June 2026.

During the event, prizes were awarded to students who had demonstrated outstanding achievements in various subjects and grades during the year 2025 by the Prime Minister.

The official school newspaper of St. Bernadette’s Model school, titled “Adarsha Prabha,” was also launched on this occasion.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated:

When we visit schools like this and meet children and teachers such as yourselves, it strengthens our determination to ensure that education in our country is elevated to the highest standards. We want to see schools where children’s faces reflect happiness and where they are nurtured in an environment of love and care.

As a country, we face numerous challenges. After a prolonged period of economic downturn, we are now gradually restoring stability. Global and climate-related challenges also affect us as a nation. We can overcome these challenges if we work collectively.

We are implementing our plans with the objective of bringing about a transformation in the education sector. This goes beyond curriculum development to a broad range of initiatives, including the strengthening of human resources and infrastructure within the education sector, thereby creating pathways for children to thrive in the new world. We must ensure that every child feels that the opportunities of the modern world are open to them and has the confidence needed to pursue their aspirations.

We are moving forward with many new reforms in the education sector. Efforts are underway to facilitate education through digitalization and the introduction of new subjects. Further, we aim to provide students with quality education by strengthening teacher training processes.

Following the event, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection visit to St. Bernadette’s Model Primary School, Kurunegala.

The Prime Minister also visited Ridibendiella Gajanegama Maha Vidyalaya, Mahawa, where the Prime Minister held a discussion with the school’s academic staff. During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed her appreciation to the teachers who remain dedicated to providing education to children in the area despite challenging circumstances.

The occasion was attended by the Governor of the North Western Province Tissa Warnasuriya; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; Kurunegala District Members of Parliament Ashoka Gunasekara and Geetha Herath; Chairman of the Kurunegala Pradeshiya Sabha M.A. Wimalasiri; Chairman of the Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha Sumedha Kumara; Chief Secretary to the Ministry of the North Western Province Chandana Wanninayake; other government officials; and representatives of the North Western Provincial Education Authorities.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

It has been identified that 126 school hostel buildings within the island’s school system are in a dilapidated condition and that maintenance activities have not been carried out adequately. As a result, education and living conditions of the students have been negatively affected.

Accordingly, in order to address this situation and to provide students with a quality and suitable educational environment, the Government has taken steps to upgrade the essential facilities of the hostels. In this regard, Cabinet approval has been granted for the proposal submitted by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, to implement the project for the renovation of these school hostels during the period 2026–2028 at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,008 million.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

It is important to enhance the services such as day-care centres and vocational training programmes for persons with disabilities, and community-based activities for older persons.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that special attention should be directed towards food security, water management, and energy management in preparation for anticipated impacts of El Niño.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Colombo District Coordinating Committee meeting held today (16) at the Colombo District Secretariat.

During the meeting, attention was focused on the progress of development programmes planned for 2026 as at 15 June 2026, including the Decentralized Budget Programme, Rural Roads Programme, Disaster Risk Reduction Projects, the Prajashakthi Programme, and projects implemented under line ministries.

While reviewing projects being implemented under the Ministry of Sports, a decision was taken at the meeting to establish a Sports Sub-Committee for the Colombo District and Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that future activities would be planned through this sub-committee.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also emphasized the need to pay special attention to the development of sports activities in rural schools.

Highlighting the importance of preparing for the direct impacts of the anticipated El Niño weather conditions in Sri Lanka and the global challenges following the situation, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to focus on food security, water management, and energy management. The Prime Minister further noted the importance of conducting awareness programmes on energy conservation and the efficient use.

Commenting on the programme to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities implemented under the Prajashakthi Programme, the Prime Minister stated that special attention should also be given to strengthening services such as day-care centres and vocational training programmes for persons with disabilities, and community-based activities for older persons.

The event was attended by Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara, public representatives of the Colombo District, government officials, and other invitees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

As we have overcome previous challenges, we must collectively overcome this pressing concern of dengue as well.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a long-term programme should be formulated to minimize the spread of dengue epidemic and emphasized that, just as the country has successfully overcome previous challenges, the dengue challenge must also be addressed and overcome through a collective effort.

The Prime Minister made these remarks today (16) while addressing a special dengue prevention programme organized in kottawa in conjunction with Dengue Prevention Week. The programme was aimed at controlling the spread of dengue and raising public awareness on health and safety measures.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister further stated:

At present, the risk of dengue is increasing across the country. The Colombo District remains at high risk, and health authorities have identified Maharagama as one of the particularly vulnerable areas.

The risk has been identified especially in schools, government and private sector offices, and other public spaces. As a government, we have declared a Dengue Prevention Week and are undertaking special interventions during this period with the objective of addressing the risk of dengue faced by the public.

However, this effort should not be limited to a single week. A long term programme should be formulated to address this issue. At this critical juncture, all stakeholders must come together and act with determination.

Over the past one and a half years, we have successfully overcome numerous challenges. Similarly, we must collectively come forward to overcome this challenge as well. Dengue prevention should be regarded as a personal responsibility by every citizen. We must work towards transforming the Colombo District from a high-risk area into a lower-risk zone and progressively move towards eliminating the threat altogether.

Following the programme, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also inspected the local bus stand and surrounding areas.

Addressing the occasion, Chairman of the Maharagama Municipal Council, Mr. Saman Samarakoon, expressed his appreciation to the institutions that contributed significantly to the dengue prevention initiative, including the Maharagama Municipal Council, Kottawa Police, security forces personnel, the Maharagama Divisional Secretariat, the Public Health Inspector’s Office, the National Housing Development Authority, the Land Registry Office, the National Transport Commission, Kottawa Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Kottawa Ananda Vidyalaya, and the Kottawa Traders’ Association.

The event was attended by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamlath, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Sunil Watagala, Colombo District Member of Parliament, Dewananda Suraweera, Chairman of the Maharagama Municipal Council, Saman Samarakoon, and several other invitees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka held a cordial and constructive meeting with Ambassadors and representatives of the European Union at Temple Trees on 15 June to discuss matters of mutual interest and further strengthen bilateral relations.

During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in key areas, including trade, investment, sustainable development,women’s welfare, and good governance.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts and commitment to advancing gender equality and enhancing opportunities for women’s participation in governance. Attention was also drawn to existing challenges and the need for continued policy support, capacity building initiatives, and institutional reforms to ensure meaningful representation.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka Ms. Galija Agiseva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union,Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe and North America Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka and other officials.

Prime Minister’s Media