Let us further strengthen the journey we have begun and deliver a trustworthy public service in 2026. - Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The official ceremony to commence duties for the New Year 2026 at the Prime Minister’s Office was held on the morning of January 1 at the Prime Minister’s Office, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri.

During the event, all members of the staff took the Public Service Pledge for the New Year, following which the Prime Minister extended New Year greetings.

The Prime Minister stated that the past year had been one in which the Prime Minister’s Office accomplished a greater achievement, and that through every division including the Digital Task Force, the International Relations Division, and the Public Relations Division a significant amount of responsibility had been carried out through the dedication of all staff members. She further noted that the Prime Minister’s Office has now become an institution that has earned greater public trust than in previous periods, and she expressed her gratitude to all members of the staff for their commitment.

The Prime Minister further noted,

Last year, we had to face a significant number of challenges. This New Year may be even more challenging. However, I am confident that all of you, as a team, will face every one of these challenges with strength. From the Cyclone Ditwah that occurred last year, we learned many lessons. We gained experience on how to respond to such emergencies putting aside any differences. Going forward, it is our responsibility to become increasingly environmentally friendly and to protect the environment in a manner that minimizes such disasters. Accordingly, as a country moving forward with a clear understanding of climate changes, we must initiate all our plans with awareness.

Extending New Year greetings, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri stated:

In 2024, you as public servants made your contribution to bringing the transformative change that took place in the country by bringing closer the public service to people , and to achieving significant economic and social achievements by implementing the principles of the policy statement ’A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’, and in this regard you truly deserve the due recognition.

In implementing the policy of ’A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’, we identified ten principles required to bring about a positive transformation in the public service. By giving appointments and granting promotions based on qualifications, we were able to bring about a significant qualitative change in the public service. The public has clearly understood this change. The people of this country are not prepared to reverse this positive system.

All officers of the Prime Minister’s Office participated in this official ceremony.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

As we move forward to the New Year of 2026, it is timely to reflect on the year 2025 that has passed. The year 2025 can be granted as a year having made a number of decisive and progressive steps with a people oriented government.

I am confident that, within a new political culture, we were able to strengthen transparency in state governance and lay the foundation for an efficient and corruption free public service.

We can be satisfied with the progress achieved in several key areas during 2025, including economic stability, the increasingly positive and optimistic international perception towards our country, the establishment of transparent systems of governance, and the strengthening of the sovereignty of the legislation system.

However, the unfortunate disastrous situation we experienced towards the end of 2025 was a challenging period for our nation. While it deeply moved us all, the spirit of solidarity, compassion, and collectivity shown by Sri Lankans during that difficult situation received admiration across the world.

As we step into the New Year 2026, we hold commitment to overcoming those challenges, healing from the disaster, and restoring the lives and livelihoods that were affected.

Moving forward with the goals such as initiating qualitative and sustainable transformation in the education sector, digitalizing all sectors of the public service, creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, artists, and creators with innovative ideas to rise on the global stage, and building a compassionate, environmentally friendly society free from drugs and harmful substances I would like to remind, at this moment, that the responsibility of rebuilding this nation rests upon the entire nation, together with the government, transcending differences of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation, and united by a strong Sri Lankan identity.

Transforming all the challenges we experienced in the past year into sources of strength, I invite you to step into 2026 with renewed energy, hope, and determination.

I extend wishes for a victorious New Year filled with peace, happiness, and prosperity.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
01st of January 2026

As the month of December dawns, Christian devotees prepare to celebrate Christmas. The message of peace that echoed from Bethlehem with the birth of the infant Jesus continues to be honoured and revered by Christians across the world.

However, this year, the month of December has arrived not with the usual joy and festivity. It comes amid the sorrow, pain, and quiet anguish of thousands of our people affected by a natural disaster that has shaken the entire nation.

Yet, in keeping with the true meaning of Christmas and guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, the people of our country have set aside their differences and come together in unity and solidarity to support those affected by the disaster. Through their actions, they have demonstrated to the world the values of love, compassion, and the noble teaching of Christ to love one another.

At this moment, we stand at a critical juncture where all communities must unite with a shared purpose and collective responsibility to rebuild the country and work together for the future of our nation.

We will continue to work tirelessly towards the common goal of building the “new country” envisioned by the many who have placed their trust in our government, and to ensure that their hopes and aspirations are fulfilled.

On this Christmas Day, let us renew our commitment to act together as citizens, guided by unity, love, compassion, and responsibility, in pursuit of our shared dream of a better tomorrow.

I extend my heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas to all Christian devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
25th December 2025

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya undertook a special inspection visit to the Badulla District on the 24th of December to assess the damage caused to the school system as a result of the cyclonic weather conditions that recently affected the country.

During the visit, the Prime Minister visited Welimada Muslim Maha Vidyalaya (National School) and looked into the hazardous conditions currently prevailing at the school.

With the overflow of the Maa Oya due to heavy rainfall, the school premises have been severely affected by erosion, drawing the Prime Minister’s special attention. She discussed with officials and the school principal the direct threat posed to the school buildings, the serious risks that have emerged concerning the safety of students, and the potential loss of physical assets as a result of this situation.

The Prime Minister instructed the relevant authorities to take immediate measures to ensure the continuity of students’ education and the safety of their lives.

She further emphasized that the government’s attention has been drawn to implementing necessary technical solutions and carrying out rehabilitation work to prevent erosion.

The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Kapila Jayasekara, Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Facilities Samantha Vidyarathna, along with government officials, teachers, and a group of parents.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Ministry of Education, together with UNICEF, will take necessary steps to renovate schools that can be restored quickly and to relocate schools located in high-risk areas to safer locations, following an assessment of schools affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

The Prime Minister made these remarks after inspecting the Meegahakiula National School in the Badulla District, which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, on December 24.

The Prime Minister also inspected the preschool that had been operating at the Ketawatta Yodha Ulpatha Community Hall, which was completely damaged after a tree fell due to strong winds. She instructed officials to take steps to restart the preschool at a safe location. Drawing attention to the proper payment of allowances provided to preschool teachers, the Prime Minister emphasized that authorities should identify preschools that can no longer operate due to damage following the disaster situation and ensure that allowances are paid to the teachers of those preschools as well.

Subsequently, she inspected the Passara Yuri Tamil Primary School, which sustained severe damage due to a landslide.

The visit was attended by Diyathalawa Dheerananda Thero, Uva Province Governor Kapila Jayasekara, Member of Parliament Samantha Vidyarathna, Provincial Chief Secretary Anusha Gokula, Principal of Meegahakiwula National School H.W.K.A. Padmakumara, Principal of Passara Yuri Tamil Primary School Ms. K. Indumathi, along with state officials, teachers, parents, and others.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subramaniam Jaishankar, met with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on 23 December at Temple Trees, during his visit to Sri Lanka as the Special Envoy of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The meeting took place as part of the official visit aimed at holding discussions with Sri Lanka’s top leadership, at a time when the nation commenced reconstruction efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

During the discussions, the Minister of External Affairs of India reaffirmed readiness to extend support for Sri Lanka, including assistance in rebuilding railways, bridges, and strengthening of the agricultural sector in the country. He also highlighted the importance of having effective systems in place to respond to disaster situations, supported by strong legislative, administrative, and institutional frameworks. Both sides reviewed ongoing relief efforts and explored avenues to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in disaster response and recovery.

The Prime Minister commended the Government of India for the continued support, noting that the recovery process following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah include beyond immediate relief efforts to long-term measures such as resettlement, and reconstruction of habilitation and infrastructure.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps have been taken to reopen schools as part of the process of restoring normalcy, with close monitoring in place. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to ensure stability, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen protection mechanisms highlighting the solidarity of the people, their strong spirit of volunteerism, and collective action demonstrated during the emergency situation.

The event was attended by the High Commissioner of India Mr. Santosh Jha, Additional Secretary (IOR), MEA Mr. Puneet Agrawal, Joint Secretary (EAMO), MEA Mr. Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu, Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and representing Sri Lankan delegation, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime minister Ms.Sagarika Bogahawatta, Director General (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr.Samantha Pathirana, Deputy Director, South Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms.Diana Perera.

Primeminister’s media division