The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), held on 8th May at the Cinnamon Life Hotel in Colombo. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation.

RIMES was established on 30th April 2009 to facilitate hazard monitoring, risk assessment, risk communication, and the application of risk information in decision-making among countries in Africa and Asia.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated:

“The proposal to host the Fourth Ministerial Conference of RIMES in Sri Lanka was first put forward and seconded during the Third Ministerial Conference held in Papua New Guinea in 2017. Although this important gathering could not take place until now due to various challenges, including the global COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, we are grateful to all institutions—especially RIMES, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the Department of Irrigation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism—for their unwavering support in making this event a reality.

Among natural disasters, the 2004 tsunami stands out as the most devastating in recent memory, claiming nearly 40,000 lives. The economic and social repercussions of this tragedy continue to reverberate, and the emotional trauma endured by children who lost parents, and siblings who lost each other, is a pain that words can hardly convey — one that still endures.

In this context, the role of RIMES is truly invaluable. Its efforts have significantly contributed to protecting Sri Lankan society from disaster risks and supporting the country’s journey towards sustainable and resilient development. I wish RIMES continued success in its mission, and I reaffirm our commitment to strengthening our collaboration for the benefit of both Sri Lanka and the broader global community.”

The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha, Deputy Minister Mr. Namal Karunarathne, ambassadors, representatives of RIMES member countries, representatives from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, and officials from relevant ministries.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, at the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss Sri Lanka’s development priorities and the continuation of strategic collaboration.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s support during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis and reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. Mr. Banga commended the government’s reform agenda and emphasized the importance of job creation and enhancing employment quality as key drivers of economic recovery.

Discussions focused on investment in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism, and production industries. Mr. Banga also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to transform key sectors, particularly agriculture, and encouraged Sri Lanka to explore its application for innovation and productivity.

The Prime Minister noted ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare policy and expand technical and vocational education to better align with the demands of emerging industries.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Trevor Kincaid, Special Advisor; Mr. David Sislen, Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka; Mr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager for Maldives and Sri Lanka; and Mr. Imad Fakhoury, Regional Director for South Asia at the International Finance Corporation. Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Dr. P.K.G. Harischandra, Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund for the constituency of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka; Mr. Dharshana Perera, Senior Director General of the Economic Affairs (Bilateral) Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; and Mr. Dammika Premarathna, Additional Director General of the External Resources Department.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met today (May 05) with Mr. Charles Whiteley, Head of the South Asia Division of the European External Action Service, as part of the ongoing GSP+ Monitoring Mission.

The Prime Minister welcomed the EU delegation and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the European Union, particularly through the GSP+ framework. Discussions focused on key government priorities including poverty alleviation, digital transformation, and the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative.

Dr. Amarasuriya also emphasized the government’s ongoing reconciliation efforts and highlighted current legal reform priorities, including legislation to combat drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the introduction of the Online Safety Act.

The EU delegation expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka’s new policy initiatives, especially those aligned with the core objectives of the GSP+ mechanism. They provided guidance on the reapplication process for GSP+ concessions and reiterated their willingness to support Sri Lanka’s formal application. The conversation further addressed IMF engagement and the importance of increasing women’s political and economic participation. The Prime Minister underscored the need to improve support systems such as childcare, eldercare, and transportation to enable greater inclusion.

The meeting concluded with remarks from H.E. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka, who reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to deepening its ties with Sri Lanka across economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.

Senior officials from both sides participated in the meeting, including Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; and Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe and North America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Hon. Gen Nakatani, Minister of Defense of Japan paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees on May 4.

The discussion took place in the spirit of long-standing bilateral friendship and focused on strengthening cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka, particularly in the areas of defense and regional security. Minister Nakatani extended his congratulations to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of Japan and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to collaborative efforts in ensuring peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.

He also emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in maritime security and regional connectivity.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support through development partnerships, especially via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). She reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, economic reform, and national transformation.

The Prime Minister also shared the government’s vision for evolving the role of Sri Lanka’s security forces to include responsibilities such as climate response, humanitarian assistance, and maritime protection. The meeting further explored opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism, with both parties agreeing to deepen engagement across five key sectors.

His Excellency Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, and senior officials from both governments participated in the meeting.

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Those who profited from irregularities are resisting the new reforms of the government.

The government has a structured plan in place to provide lasting solutions to the challenges faced by the people.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that those who benefited from irregular and unregulated systems are currently opposing the reform efforts of the government and that the government possesses a coherent and methodical strategy aimed at addressing the public’s concerns through sustainable and permanent solutions, rather than offering temporary responses.

The Prime Minister made these remarks today (03 May), while addressing a public gathering held in the municipalities of Kaduwela and Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia.

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

You are well aware of the state the country was in when we assumed office. It is not only the political culture that necessitated change, but a similar transformation was also required within the public sector. That transformation is currently underway.

In addressing issues such as flooding, our response has been limited to relief services. However, we must move beyond that and implement systems to minimize and manage such disasters. This same pattern where temporary solutions were implemented without proper mechanisms can be seen across all sectors. Similarly, the public service has become accustomed to this ineffective approach.

When systemic reforms are introduced in a culture that is accustomed to disorder, those who previously benefited from the irregularities perceive these changes as a threat to their interests and therefore resist. These groups are attempting to obstruct the process of transformation.

Nevertheless, the country cannot progress under the prevailing methods. It was precisely due to such flawed systems that our economy collapsed. Now, with a methodical and structured approach, the government is steadily restoring economic stability. These systems are being developed to equip the nation to face ongoing and future economic challenges.

Decisions taken by the U.S. President Donald Trump has had significant global ramifications, impacting both Europe and Asia. The long-standing belief that certain countries will always dominate the global economy is being challenged. Amidst this shift, new economic opportunities are arising, and Asia is poised to take a leading role in the global economic order. Sri Lanka must therefore determine where it stands within this evolving context. To do so, we must manage our international relations prudently and establish transparent governance systems. Our objective is to achieve long-term stability through these means.

We have not yet been able to fill teacher vacancies, which has led to a crisis. The lack of planning and reactive decision-making have severely affected the education sector. This is indicative of the wider trend across national issues offering surface-level solutions while failing to resolve the underlying causes. It is imperative that this government works in such a way that no unresolved issues are passed on to the next administration.

The grade five Scholarship examination has become a matter of concern. The issue does not lie in the awarding of scholarships, but in the necessity for students to transfer to schools with better facilities in order to access them. To rectify this, the disparities among schools must be addressed. The government has already commenced work in this regard through a planned and coordinated approach.

We continue to identify the problems faced by citizens and develop both short-term and long-term solutions accordingly. Step by step, we are moving forward in rebuilding international confidence, attracting investment, and laying a strong foundation for the country’s future.

The implementation of the law by the police was previously hindered by prevailing political culture. These institutional issues are now being rectified.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya underscored that the establishment of a constructive political culture is essential for the development of the country and that public support is vital in advancing the government’s national development agenda.

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The tragedy of the university student underscores the breakdown of social relations.

Celebrate the Victory of May 7 Peacefully and ensure that our newly appointed members are prepared to commence their duties.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the victory commemorated on May 7 should be celebrated in a democratic and peaceful manner, while also urging the public to stand firmly against corruption in all sectors of society.

The prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a series of public gatherings held on May 2 in the areas of Homagama, Kirivaththuduwa, Dampe, Nawalamulla, and Magammana.

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

There remains a significant amount of work to be done ahead of us. Our foremost priority is to reform the education sector. It is imperative that teachers receive proper training and that shortages of teachers be accurately addressed. For years, appointments of teachers and school principals have not been conducted appropriately. Numerous court cases are currently pending due to various irregularities within the Ministry of Education.

Corruption must be decisively rejected by all sectors of society, whether in schools, hospitals, offices, workplaces, or even at service counters. Citizens must collectively oppose it. Our youth, in particular, must reunite and take collective action. Dreams alone are not sufficient and realizing those dreams requires committed effort.

Recently, we were informed of the tragic death of a university student. Both the Ministry and the Police are conducting investigations into the matter. Incidents such as these expose the breakdown of the connections of university systems within our society. This situation must be addressed and corrected.

There are institutions that have long operated without strategies. These institutions must be rebuilt. This journey is not one that should or can be opposed. Those who value integrity and good governance cannot stand against this path. This is not merely another election.

For the first time, the leadership representatives of the country and the people are working in close partnership. Public trust in governance has been re-established, and we are committed to honoring and upholding that trust as we strive to rebuild the nation.

You may contribute through taxes and levies. In the past, those funds often disappeared into private hands. We are determined not to allow that to happen again. These public funds will be utilized to provide services directly to the people.

This is a national effort to build a society rooted in integrity and discipline. Such a transformation cannot occur overnight. It requires strategic planning and time. Those questioning the government’s progress are not truly considering the well-being of the people.

On May 7, we call upon all citizens to celebrate the democratic victory peacefully and ensure that our newly elected representatives of the local governments are prepared to commence their duties with dedication.

No matter the criticisms or disruptions, the government remains steadfast in its course. The administration is operating according to a well-considered plan and remains accountable solely to the people.

The event was attended by Members of Parliament Susantha Dodawatta and Aruna Panagoda, along with several local government candidates and a large number of residents of the area.

Prime Minister’s Media Division