Let us all strive to create a space where language does not create dividing, but rather a medium that unites all individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that following the policy statement “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life”, national policies must be implemented in such a way that every citizen can access essential services in their respective mother tongues as well as in sign language.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the closing ceremony of the National Languages Week "Path to Reconciliation", organized by the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, held at the Sri Lanka Foundation on 07th of July.

The National Languages Week, held under the theme “Talk Together – Live Together”, commenced on 01st of July, marking the National Languages Day, and continued for seven days and the closing ceremony was held under the participation of the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Justice and National Integration, Mr. Harsha Nanayakkara.

Delivering further remarks at the event, the Prime Minister stated:

National Languages Week is not just a time to focus on and acknowledge language policy but also it highlights the critical role of the language that fosters identity, respect, and in building a peaceful society that brings all people together.

If certain communities feel that they do not have the opportunity to communicate in their own language at crucial institutions like courts, police stations, schools, state institutions, or administrative offices, then this is not merely an issue of service delivery. In such circumstances, people may genuinely begin to feel that they are excluded. Therefore, it is essential to ensure equal linguistic rights and dignity for all ethnic groups.

Therefore, we must create schools where Sinhala and Tamil students can learn each other’s languages, hospitals where patients can express their symptoms in the language they feel most comfortable in and receive respectful care, and a justice system where citizens can seek justice in a language they understand.

These are not luxury privileges but fundamental conditions that should practically exist in a society rooted in harmony.

Accordingly, the new educational reforms beginning in 2026 will incorporate teaching methods that emphasize the importance of all languages in the country and highlight language as something beyond just a subject. That is why such reforms have been introduced.

Addressing the event, Minister of Justice and National Unity Mr. Harsha Nanayakkara said:

Even though we may not share the same past, we certainly share a common future that we can build together. On this National Languages Day, let us all commit ourselves to building a Sri Lanka that thrives on genuine reconciliation and vibrant unity.

At the closing ceremony of National Languages Week, awards and certificates were presented by the Prime Minister to the winners of the model essay competition held at school level by the Official Languages Commission, and to those who passed the National Language Proficiency Examinations conducted by the Department of Official Languages.

The event was attended by the High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Deputy Minister of National Integration Mr. Muneer Mulaffar, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa, along with other state and diplomatic officials, students, and the general public.

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The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that when developing school infrastructure under the new education reforms, it is necessary to allocate higher financial support to schools in underprivileged areas in order to ensure their improvement.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held to brief the governors and provincial secretaries on the support expected at the provincial and regional levels within the new education reforms on July 5 at the Temple Trees.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

The cooperation of the Provincial Councils is essential in implementing the education reforms that have been carefully planned. The educational reform must be implemented by integrating national policies with provincial procedures. We are well aware of the importance of maintaining consistency and avoiding contradictions in educational policies. The ultimate goal of the education reforms is to enhance the quality of education. The final beneficiaries of this process should be the students, their parents, and their families. Every decision we make should be made with the child in mind.

There are two challenges we face under the education reforms. one is to change the existing education system, and the other is to continue with some of the current procedures for a certain period during the transition.

We are compelled to implement this transformation while resolving the issues that have arisen from decisions made over time.

The Prime Minister further emphasized the importance of achieving consensus in policymaking while the schools operate under the responsibility of provincial authorities on a day-to-day basis.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Secretary to Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwawa, including governors, provincial secretaries, provincial directors of education, representatives from the Treasury, the Finance Commission, and other officials representing the Ministry of Education.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated, "Let’s also remember that healthcare is not just a service. It is a social necessity. And good regulation, like good governance, is ultimately about protecting and promoting that social necessity."

The Prime Minister made this remark while addressing the Centenary Celebration of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) held on 5th July at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

In alignment with the 100-year celebration, a commemorative stamp was officially released during the ceremony.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated:

"This is not just a celebration of 100 years of service to the public, to the medical profession, and to our country.

In the case of medicine, this responsibility becomes even more critical because here, we are dealing with life itself. Despite severe challenges, Sri Lanka has been able to maintain trust in the health system, as was evidenced during the COVID pandemic.

As the Minister of Education, I want to urge you to consider how we can ensure that our medical education produces more humane, empathetic, and ethical practitioners. I congratulate the Sri Lanka Medical Council on reaching this historic milestone. The government is proud to stand with you today and in the years to come."

Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa also attended to the event and while addressing the gathering he stated that,

"We live in a time of profound transformation in healthcare. The old certainties are giving way to new complexities. As we move toward universal health coverage, digitised care, genomic medicine, and cross-border service delivery, regulation must keep pace. The SLMC is not immune to these pressures it is, in fact, at the centre of them.

The Ministry of Health considers the SLMC a key partner, not only in regulating the medical profession but also in shaping the direction of healthcare delivery in Sri Lanka. Over the years, we have worked together on matters of licensing, education standards, continuing professional development, ethical oversight, and health workforce planning. These are not minor tasks—they go to the very heart of how we ensure quality, safety, and accountability in the health services we provide to our citizens."

The event was attended by ambassadors, the Attorney General, Justices of the Supreme Court, members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, and other dignitaries.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka is a distinguished institution that has created professional opportunities both locally and internationally for the youth of Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister made this remark while participating in the 75th Anniversary of the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka and the 21st International Photography Exhibition, held today (05) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

During the event, international honorary titles were awarded to outstanding individuals in the field of photography.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

First of all, I extend my best wishes to the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka, which proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary today.

Although many regard photography as a form of entertainment media, it extends far beyond that being an art form, a medium of communication, and a tool for news dissemination.

Photography is a subject that should be studied thoroughly, and it is embedded in every other discipline like human language. That is why, in 1993, UNESCO included photography among the subjects to be learned in the 21st century.

In the current educational landscape, there are growing enthusiasts worldwide who are eager to study photography.

The National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka is a reputed educational and professional institution in Sri Lanka that explores multiple dimensions of photographic art. During the colonial era, when photography was identified as an artistic privilege reserved for foreigners, it was the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka that pioneered efforts to make photography a cultural and artistic heritage accessible to our own children in Sri Lanka.

The journey the Society has undertaken over 75 years is truly remarkable. Over the 75 years, the effort that the National Photographic Art Society has been made by offering education and evaluations, organizing exhibitions, creating numerous local and foreign career opportunities for the Sri Lankan’s youth, and offering certificate, diploma, and professional-level courses aligned with international standards with conducting vocational training completely free of charge as a volunteer-run institution in order to produce skilled, artistic professionals is truly appreciated.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further noted that many of today’s distinguished figures in media and cinema began their journeys at the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka.

The event was attended by Colombo Mayor Mrs. Vraie Cally Balthazaar, President of the National Photographic Art Society Mr. Shantha Gunasekara, veteran photographers, academics, and other dignitaries.

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The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, emphasized that vocational education and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that an adequate attention is not drawn towards vocational education, but moving forward, necessary action will be taken to position it as a decisive subject in the country.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the inaugural ceremony of the "Shrama Meheyuma" programme launched today (July 4) at the Gampaha Technical College, centering vocational training institutions across the island with the aim of establishing a well-structured and attractive institutional system.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated:

I am grateful for forwarding the concept of Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage in initiating the ’Shrama Meheyuma’ across the country, focusing on vocational education. Even though the mission is initiated by ’Shrama Meheyuma’ programme, we aim at focusing the attention to vocational education and highlight its significance to the entire nation. Vocational education becomes a decisive subject of the country in the future. It is the Ministry of Education that is responsible for producing the human resources needed for the labour market. However, the portion that often goes unnoticed is the role of vocational education in creating that workforce.

Currently, there is a societal misconception that vocational education is a fallback option and something only pursued when one fails to enter a university. That notion is completely wrong. Choosing vocational education is a smart, meaningful, and highly relevant decision for both individual growth and national development.

The decision to pursue vocational education should not be a coincidence, nor should it be made in ignorance or at the last moment. It must be a conscious, informed decision based on one’s capabilities, interests, and understanding of the world.

That is why, in the upcoming 2026 education reforms, we have allocated a special focus on vocational education. These reforms are not minor adjustments. They go far beyond simply revising a subject stream.

We are planning to integrate vocational training from the school level itself. Through that, the government aims to develop and produce the human resources needed for a new era of national revival.

The Prime Minister affirmed that steps are being taken to elevate vocational education to a higher position in the country.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, Mr. Nalin Hewage,

Major reforms are currently underway to achieve the policy of the government to guide the country toward a prosperous future and a dignified life in a national revival.

In order to realize this transformation, our institutions must first undergo modernization. Young people must evolve in their thinking. Although today’s youth have advanced with technology, our institutional systems lag far behind. Therefore, it is crucial to create a modern institutional environment that aligns with today’s youth. That is why we have launched this massive labour mission across 311 institutions in Sri Lanka, involving over 160,000 participants. This is just the beginning; we aim to create major national transformation through this sector.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Labour, Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe,

There are numerous courses offered by vocational training institutions under government, and students from all over the country, including the North and East are enrolling in them. However, some training centers are facing a shortage of students. We believe this is due to shortcomings in our education system. While several institutions operate under the Ministry of Labour, we plan to strengthen them further and ensure they deliver effective training.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Withanage, Member of Parliament Lasith Bhaskantha, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, Mayor of Gampaha, District Secretary of Gampaha, Principal of the Gampaha Technical College Mr. P.M.K. Gomes, Government officials, parents, and students.

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A high-level delegation of Chief Executive Officers from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) met with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Parliament of Sri Lanka on June 30.

The Prime Minister conveyed her appreciation for the continued partnership between India and Sri Lanka, particularly in advancing the country’s ongoing economic recovery and development.

The Indian delegation reaffirmed the robust and evolving economic relationship between the two countries, noting the positive momentum generated by the recent state visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India. Discussions focused on expanding trade and investment opportunities across key sectors such as technology, manufacturing, education, innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, energy, and tourism.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of inclusive and equitable investment strategies that support youth empowerment, women entrepreneurs, and the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

The meeting was attended by leading Indian CEOs and officials from the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Niluka Kadurugamuwa, Director General of the South Asia and SAARC Division, and Ms. Prashanthi Krishnamoorthy, Deputy Director of the South Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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