Dr. Nadisha Chandrasena, who received the 2025 WIPO “Global Award for Intellectual Property,” presented by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a United Nations agency dedicated to intellectual property, innovation, and creativity met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on July 21.

Dr. Chandrasena’s “Smart Drainage System” concept, developed as a solution to open drainage systems clogged by plastic and polythene waste, was selected as a winner at the WIPO Awards Ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland. Her innovation stood out among 780 organizations from 95 countries.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister extended her congratulations to Dr. Chandrasena. Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhantri was also present at the occasion.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The 2025 Annual Esala Perahera of the Yudaganawa Raja Maha Viharaya in Buttala concluded its street possession yesterday (19).

The final Randoli Perahera commenced its street procession with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Following the enshrinement of the Sacred Relic Casket atop the ceremonial tusker of Wasana, Monaragala District Secretary Mr. Pasan Rathnayake presented the official declaration certifying the successful conduct of this year’s Yudaganawa Esala Perahera to the Chief Sanghanayake of Uva Wellassa and Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Raja Maha Viharaya, Venerable Galtemwatte Nandaratana Nayake Thero.

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

Yudaganawa Raja Maha Viharaya is a place with archaeological and historical significance.

The annual Perahera festival plays a significant role in preserving the ancient glory and cultural heritage of Uva Wellassa and in creating awareness of its value among people around the world.

According to Historical chronicles, ancient kings of Mahanaga, Kavantissa, Dutugemunu, Saddhatissa, Parakramabahu the Great, Vijayabahu the Great, Nissankamalla, and Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe had contributed to the development of this sacred site.

The immense strength and blessings that arose from this sacred site during the past unification of the country are especially significant. The historic Stupa here is testimony to that legacy. This is why the Yudaganawa Annual Esala Perahera continues to draw wide attention.

Finally, I extend my gratitude to the Chief Sanghanayake of Uva Wellassa and Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Raja Maha Viharaya, Venerable Galtemwatte Nandaratana Nayake Thero, and the entire organizing committee for their dedication in holding this year’s Perahera with featuring the cultural events of Upcountry, Lowcountry, and Sabaragamuwa traditional dances and presentation of majestic elephants.

The event was graced by the presence of Maha Sangha led by the Chief Sanghanayake of the Ratnapura region under the Asgiri Vihara, Most Venerable Wathurakumbure Dhammarathana Nayake Thero, as well as Members of Parliament, government officials, and a large number of devotees and participants.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Steps will be taken to enhance the professionalism of teachers in the future.

The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that the goal is to limit the number of students in a classroom to 25–30, emphasizing that it is not possible to deliver quality education in classrooms with around 50 or 60 students.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a program held on July 19 at the Dakshinapaya Auditorium in Galle, organized to raise awareness among education authorities in the Southern Province regarding the new education reforms.

Addressing the fourth provincial awareness program on the new education reforms, the Prime Minister further stated:

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the cooperation you extend toward the education reforms. Implementing a new education reform was something we discussed and planned even before our government came into power.

In line with government policy, we held discussions with experts, gathered opinions from various sectors, and have formulated the relevant policies.

The new education reform is not only about updating the curriculum but also about enhancing teacher professionalism, reforming the educational administrative structure, and developing the necessary infrastructure to ensure all children have access to equal and quality education.

This is not something we are doing for personal gain, it is a responsibility we must fulfill with an understanding of the needs of the country.

There are people in society who initiate constructive dialogue about this with genuine intent, and there are also others who criticize it without proper understanding. Some even critique it for political gain. We know this reform process is a challenge and it is not easy. However, it cannot be ignored. The people gave us their mandate to correct these issues.
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There’s a lot to be done in terms of reforming education. The curricula in teacher training colleges have not changed in 16 years. These must be revised. Teachers and education professionals must be provided with continuous training. From August onwards, steps will be taken to train the teacher trainers in order to deliver proper teacher training.

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

At present, steps are being taken to integrate vocational education institutions with the new education reform. This will create an opportunity for students to enter vocational education with dignity based on talent and skills, during their school years, instead of directing only underperforming students toward vocational paths.

The event was attended by Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra, Member of Parliament Nihal Galappaththi, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, Southern Province Chief Secretary Mr. Sumith Alahakoon, officials representing the Ministry of Education, the Department of Examinations, the National Institute of Education, the Southern Provincial Department of Education, Zonal Education Directors, and education authorities from the Southern Province.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite the fact that societal tendencies give priority to the monetary value, economics and entrepreneurship should be disciplines rooted in humanity, and the concept of a “care economy” serves as a good example of this approach.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a program held today (18) at the Ministry of Education to inform officials about the development of modules for financial literacy and entrepreneurship, which are included as subjects under the new educational reforms.

Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Senior Professor Harendra Dissabandara, shared his insights on the current state of financial literacy in Sri Lanka and the way forward and the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Mr. Dimuthu Abeysekara, expressed his views on the financial literacy activities in the country.

Further addressing the event, Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

We clearly come to see that your support and bless have forwarded for the new education reforms we are trying to implement. As the Ministry of Education, it brings forward a great strength and these reforms are more than just curriculum changes.

What we need is a developed society, not just economically, but spiritually and ethically as well. Wealth is not just about money.

In that sense, the transformation we are trying to bring about through education is deeply significant.

The theft, corruption, and fraud we see in today’s society are not committed by people lacking subject knowledge but by those who know the subject very well. That is why it has been so hard to address. Therefore, we must learn financial literacy and entrepreneurship together with human values, to develop them as ethical disciplines. What we need are entrepreneurs who love the environment, society, and have compassion for one another.

The Prime Minister further emphasized the importance of considering what state society would fall into if women were only engaged in financially valuable work.

Addressing this event the Deputy Minister of Labour and Economic Development, Professor Anil Jayantha Fernando, added:

Incorporating financial literacy into school education is extremely important. Many people fall victim to pyramid-like financial scams due to a lack of proper understanding. Therefore, the public must have a strong grasp of financial literacy. It is often those with high financial literacy who carry out financial fraud. Along with subject knowledge, we need to empower society with values to manage this situation

The event was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa; officials from the Ministry of Finance; the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka; the Colombo Stock Exchange; and other institutional representatives.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that open discussions, suggestions, and criticisms based on factual information concerning the new education reforms are of great importance.

The Prime Minister made these remarks today (17) at a special program held at the Western Provincial Council Auditorium to raise awareness among education officials of the Western Province regarding the new education reforms.

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

It is clear through the ongoing public discourse that society is paying close attention to the new education reforms. There is a significant public interest in this process. That is why many people are presenting various ideas, suggestions, and criticisms. This is a healthy sign, and through this, we can move forward toward better outcomes.

As a government, we have always pledged to give high priority to education, starting from the stage of policy formulation. This commitment is reflected in our policy statements and political platforms. These reforms are not something that began yesterday. Everyone stood together for the development goals of this country, but what is truly needed is not only achieving these goals but also transforming the society we live in. There must be a major transformation in education. What we aim to create is not an individual limited to a narrow journey shaped by textbooks, one subject, or one academic stream. Instead, we are trying to nurture a person with broader thinking, a free mind, and leadership skills who can view the world with a wider perspective.

These reforms are not limited to changes in the curriculum. It is a structural reform developed around five core pillars. Education has reached this state because trending decisions were made without identifying the fundamental issues.

The main transformation brought by the new reforms is developing skills among children to be equipped for the real world of work, starting from Grade 10. Some people misunderstand and criticize these reforms, spreading misinformation. We welcome constructive criticism, study, and dialogue based on proper understanding.

All stakeholders in the education sector must fully comprehend the new reforms and communicate the right message to the public. everyone’s cooperation is expected in achieving this historic task for our children. We cannot do this by dividing; we must all come together.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of opening platforms for broader public dialogue in order to implement the new education reforms to benefit children.

The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senewiratne, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, Western Province Governor Haniff Yusoof, Members of Parliament Lakshman Nipunarachchi, Sanjeewa Ranasinghe, Ruwan Mapalagama, Ministry of Education Secretary Nalaka Kaluwawa, Chief Secretary of the Western Province Pradeep Pushpakumara, as well as officials representing the National Institute of Education, the Department of Examinations, and the Western Province Department of Education.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Do not politicize education and children’s lives and spread false propaganda.

The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized to prevent from spreading false information that history and Aesthetics subjects have been removed under the new education reforms and politicizing the education and children’s lives in order to exploit for political gain.

The Prime Minister made these remarks today (17) during a special program held at the Western Provincial Council Auditorium to raise awareness among Western Province education officials regarding the new education reforms.

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

New education reforms have in fact made it mandatory to study subjects such as history, Aesthetics, and vocational studies. However, certain parties, without properly studying the national education plan, are falsely spreading the false information that the subjects of history and Aesthetics have been removed. These reforms have been developed after holding extensive discussions with subject experts moving forward the objective of ensuring that every student gets the opportunity to study history and the Aesthetics subjects, which enhances human values. We can do politics, but do not drag education and children’s education into it.

The new education reforms clearly outline how these subjects should be studied, with a focus on producing well-rounded students who are not limited to a single field. The reforms were carried out with understanding and awareness.

The Prime Minister urged everyone who becomes aware of the new education reforms to convey the true situation to society.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senewiratne, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, Governor of the Western Province Haniffa Yousuf, Members of Parliament Lakshman Nipunarachchi, Sanjeeva Ranasinghe, Ruwan Mapalagama, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwaw, Chief Secretary of the Western Province Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with officials representing the National Institute of Education, Department of Examinations, and Western Province Department of Education.

Prime Minister’s Media Division