The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the support of the Maha Sangha is essential to establish Pirivena education as a model for all.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 2025 National Pirivena Day celebration held June 19 at Temple Trees, in conjunction with the commemoration of the birth anniversary of the late Most Venerable Welivita Pindapathika Asarana Sarana Saranankara Sangharaja Thero, who pioneered the revitalization of Pirivena education as a central component of the national education system.

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

The need for an environmentally conscious, sensitive, and ethically grounded future generation is not only a national necessity but a global necessity because humanity is increasingly distancing itself from human values, engaging in an intense mechanistic struggle driven by commercial objectives, resulting in global conflicts, pandemics, natural disasters, and even climate change that emerges as threats to all forms of life on Earth.

In order to overcome this deteriorating socio-environmental pattern, the government is actively engaged in a transformative process in the field of education, marking a significant and revolutionary turn.

In this regard, the government has paid a special attention toward achieving high-quality development expectations of Pirivena education, which previously functioned as a central foundation of Sri Lanka’s education system.

In order to achieve this, educational initiatives such as the newly introduced Tripitaka Dhamma Proficiency Examination have been established to ensure balanced development across the triad of knowledge, skills, and attitudes and thereby shaping the lives of student monks meaningfully and comprehensively and the government will continue to provide the necessary human and physical resources for Piriven institutions.

The government seeks the blessings and cooperation of the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros, as well as the dedication of Pirivena principals, teachers, and administrators, to uplift Pirivena education as a role model for all.

I take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to the historically prestigious Pirivena education system, which has contributed to the sustainable and long-term nourishment of Sri Lanka’s educational sector.

Pirivena education has played a vital role in the development of Buddhism, education, and social well-being in the country. I consider it a great honor to have been able to participate in the National Pirivena Day celebration held on June 19, coinciding with the commemoration of the birth anniversary of the Most Venerable Welivita Sri Saranankara Sangharaja Thero.

During the event, tributes were paid to the Maha Sangha and lay individuals who have devoted themselves to the development of Pirivena education. Awards were also presented to student monks who secured first, second, and third places at the All-Island level in Pirivena education for the year 2024.

The event was graced by the presence of the Most Venerable Makulawe Wimalanatha Nayaka Thero of the Ramanggna Maha Nikaya, along with Maha Sangha of the Tri-Nikaya, heads of Pirivenas and Silmata educational institutions across the island, Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, and many other government officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the Serendipity Knowledge program, ’Innovation for Economic Transformation’ organized by Asian Development Bank (ADB) today (June 19) at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

The "Serendipity Knowledge Program" (SKOP) is ADB’s knowledge program dedicated to share knowledge on issues relevant to Sri Lanka alongside catalyze a long-term engagement among the government, international experts, and other stakeholders to support strengthening the national innovation ecosystem.

Delivering opening remarks, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need of innovation for overcoming economic crisis and the middle income economic trap and noted that the government is committed to set in the policy directions partnering effectively with the private sector and promoting innovation by active involvement throughout the innovation chain.

Further, the Prime Minister stated that even though Sri Lanka has a strong foundation for innovation, there is a disconnect resulting in Sri Lanka ranked 89th out of 113 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2024. For decades, there is an underinvested attention drawn to the higher education and research. Hence, the gross expenditure on research and development is just 0.1% of GDP.

Our government is committed to changing this trajectory. We will increase funding for research and development and invest strategically in higher education.

The event was attended by the Country Director of Sri Lanka Resident Mission ADB, Takafumi Kadono, Secretary to Prime Minister, G. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Education and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe, and officials and Faculty members representing Universities of Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Prime Minister participated in the High-Level Policy Dialogue entitled Beyond Waste: Optimizing Food, Water, and Energy for Better Nutrition in South Asia held on June 18 at the ITC Ratnadipa Hotel, Colombo.

The policy dialogue was co-hosted by the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka through the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Livelihood, with support from the Gates Foundation and other development partners.

The two-day dialogue aims to catalyze action on reducing food waste, enhancing nutrition, and promoting sustainable resource use across the region.

Delivering the keynote speech, the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, emphasized the urgent need to address food loss and food insecurity. She further highlighted three essential lessons integration, innovation, and inclusion as vital for national food security, alongside the support of technological solutions, agricultural trade, and the active contribution of women and youth in food systems transformation.

The event was attended by prominent officials across the South Asia Region including Minister of Environment Dr. Dhammika Patabandi, World Bank Division Director for Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka, David Sislen, the Gates Foundation Director, Archna Vyas, and Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, alongside representatives from civil society and the private sector.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

nabling women to balance work and caregiving is not only the right thing to do as it is essential for economic progress.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Childcare is not solely a women’s issue, it is an economic and policy issue and by enabling women to balance work and caregiving is not only the right thing to do but also it is essential for economic progress.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks while participating in a World Bank Group event for Childcare as an Enabler of Women’s Increased Economic Participation in Sri Lanka held today (17) at Cinnamon Life Hotel, Colombo.

The roundtable was mainly focused on how opportunities can be granted for women in order to thrive in the workforce while contributing to the nation’s economy with the childcare services.

Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya highlighted that Women are central to the economy in both paid or unpaid contributions. However, barriers continue to restrict their workforce participation. It is true that women’s labour force participation in Sri Lanka stands at only 32%, significantly lower than men’s participation at 74%, however, this statistic fails to capture the full scope of women’s economic contributions as women’s unpaid contributions are not statistically included.

Closing the gender gap could increase Sri Lanka’s GDP by up to 20% as this is not just a social goal, it is an economic strategy that strengthens family wellbeing and national development.

The Sri Lankan government has taken steps such as Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs through the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to expand childcare services in order to support the women in workforce.

The Prime Minister further stated that tax incentives are being provided for businesses offering child protection services, economic assistance is being granted to working families, and a National Child Protection Framework is already in operation to ensure the quality of such services. Further, she emphasized that public-private partnerships are crucial in expanding the provision of these services.

The Prime Minister appreciated the World Bank’s support in this regard.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Ms . K.D.R. Olga, Gevorg Sargsyan, World Bank Group Country Manger for Sri Lanka and representatives from the government, private sector, civil society and officials from the World Bank Group.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The event served as a platform to further strengthen parliamentary ties and promote collaboration on women’s empowerment and gender equality between Sri Lanka and India.

The reception was attended by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya; the Minister of Women and Child Affairs and the chairperson of the women parliamentarian causus, Ms. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, along with several esteemed Members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, representing both the government and the opposition.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Clean Sri Lanka should become a lifestyle for everyone in the country.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that every school principal should implement the Clean Sri Lanka program in their respective school as a model initiative for the entire nation, emphasizing that Clean Sri Lanka should become a lifestyle for everyone in the country.

The Prime Minister made these remarks today (16th) while attending a progress review discussion held at the Temple Trees with officials from the Ministry of Education and the Clean Sri Lanka program. During the meeting, officials shared their experiences with practical examples and made presentations to the Prime Minister.

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

What we are trying to do now are the things we should have done around fifty years ago. Therefore, this should not be done in haste like just another project. We still have time.

Clean Sri Lanka is not merely about cleaning. It’s about maintaining a clean environment while also shaping our thoughts, desires, attitudes, and behaviors accordingly.

Clean Sri Lanka must become a lifestyle for everyone. That is precisely why we have introduced this program to schools addressing future generations, so the student community can grow up with this awareness and habit.

Already, a significant number of programs have been successfully implemented with the voluntary support of school children, parents, the armed forces, and many other stakeholders.

These Programs conducted in schools should be communicated to the wider public through media in order to create public awareness and inspiration.

Another important factor is obtaining guidance and direction from the relevant parties to meet the requirements of students with special needs through the Clean Sri Lanka initiative based in schools.

Special attention must be paid to the needs and convenience of differently-abled individuals when developing toilet and sanitation facilities under this program.

Further, all toilet and sanitation facilities constructed under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative must follow a signature standards. There should not be different standards in different places.

When implementing Clean Sri Lanka in schools, there might be some financial constraints. We have the ability to provide prompt solutions to those issues.

Clean Sri Lanka must be extended beyond schools to technical colleges, teacher training colleges, and universities as well. This is not a temporary initiative targeting a single individual or group. It is the initial phase of a massive national program aimed at the entire country.

Let us move forward by learning from our experiences and correcting our shortcomings.

The discussion was attended by the officials of the Ministry of Education and the Clean Sri Lanka program.

Prime Minister’s Media Division