A delegation from UNICEF, accompanied by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (VAC), Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 25 June at the Parliament premises.

The discussion was focused on further strengthening cooperation and engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka on ensuring the protection and well-being of children, and efforts to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against children.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister acknowledged UNICEF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly during the response to Cyclone Ditwah, as well as its longstanding contributions to reforms in education and early childhood education and initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing violence against children.

The Prime Minister noted that while Sri Lanka has made significant progress in developing policies, the challenge lies in ensuring their effective implementation. She emphasized the need to address gaps in institutional capacity and human resources, while strengthening coordination among the various parts responsible for child protection while highlighting the critical role of frontline workers in the delivery of child protection services.

During the discussion, representatives of UNICEF emphasized the importance of bringing together all relevant stakeholders to address gaps in child protection procedures and referral pathways. Particular attention was given to ensuring that children have clear and accessible mechanisms through which they can report abuse and seek assistance.

Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid highlighted the importance of strengthening the competencies of frontline professionals on psychosocial support, early detection, defining direct signs, techniques of effective listening, and safeguarding privacy. The discussions also underscored the growing importance of protecting children from online violence and abuse, and the need to strengthen measures to ensure children’s safety in digital environments.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children; Ms. Emma Brigham, UNICEF Representative; Mr. Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator; officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and additional secretaries and officials from the Ministry of Education.

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Representatives from the ’The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce’ met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 24th of June at the Parliament premises.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 (SLEIS 2026), which is scheduled to be held on 12 and 13 October 2026. Attention was also given to digitalization initiatives, the introduction of digital technologies in schools under new education reforms, and the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Sri Lanka’s education sector.

Representatives of the Chamber noted that the summit would serve as an important platform for encouraging both local and foreign investment, while also contributing to the shaping of the country’s future economic policies.

The meeting was attended by Krishan Balendra, Chairman of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; Vinod Hirdaramani, Deputy Vice Chairman; Shiran Fernando, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer; Aliki Perera, Deputy Secretary General and Chief Operating Officer; and Anagi Rodrigo-Weerasekera, Chief Economist and Head of Economic Intelligence, along with several other representatives.

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Our shared responsibility is to ensure that every child grows in safety, learns in dignity, and develops to their full potential.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the opening of the South Asia Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence against Children (EVAC), a two-day regional forum (23 and 24 June) focused on strengthening commitment, sharing progress and accelerating action to ensure every child grows up safe and free from violence on 23 June in Colombo.

Convened by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), in collaboration with UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA), the World Health Organization Regional Offices for South-East Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO SEARO/EMRO), and the Office of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children (OSRSG-VAC), the conference brings together ministers, senior government officials and development partners from across the region.

Over the next two days, participating countries will exchange experiences, showcase innovative approaches and explore solutions to persistent challenges, including harmful social norms, child marriage, child labour, gaps in data and evidence, resource constraints and emerging threats such as technology-facilitated violence, abuse and exploitation.

Addressing at the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Sri Lanka is Committed to a Systems-Based Approach to End Violence Against Children, emphasizing that child protection is not merely a sectoral concern but a national priority embedded within the country’s broader development, governance, and social justice agenda.

The Prime Minister noted that the education system remains one of the most powerful environments for children, extending beyond its role as a place of learning to serve as a critical platform for child protection.

"The education system remains one of the most powerful environments for children. Schools are not only spaces for learning, but also critical sites for early identification of harm, psychosocial support, and safeguarding intervention. Sri Lanka continues to strengthen school-based child protection systems, including referral mechanisms, counselling services, and safeguarding protocols."

Highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in addressing violence against children, the Prime Minister stressed that child protection challenges transcend national boundaries and require collective action, shared learning, and sustained collaboration among countries in the region.

The occasion was attended by the Secretary General of SAARC, H.E. Md. Golam Sarwar, Ms UNICEF Representative to Sri Lanka, Emma Brigham, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, Minister of Children and Women affairs Ms. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Deputy Minister of the Ministry, Dr. Namal Sudarshana (M.P.) and Ministers, officials, local and international representatives.

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H.E. Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on June 22 at Temple Trees.

Welcoming H.E. Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, commended the Secretary-General’s efforts in promoting regional cooperation and advancing the objectives of SAARC.

Discussion focused on the forthcoming Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which is scheduled to be held in Colombo on 23 June 2026. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of collective regional action to safeguard the rights, protection, and well-being of children across South Asia.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General briefed the Prime Minister on the ongoing work of the SAARC Secretariat and key regional initiatives being implemented under the SAARC framework. Particular attention was given to SAARC’s efforts to strengthen food security and improve child nutrition through enhanced cooperation among member states.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the value of fostering closer engagement between SAARC and other regional organizations to facilitate the exchange of best practices and enhance regional connectivity and cooperation.

Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s longstanding commitment to SAARC, the Prime Minister assured the country’s continued support for the organization and its initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace, prosperity, and people-centred development.

The meeting was attended by the Director (ESC) of the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu, Mr. Waruna Wilpatha, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government has already allocated substantial funds for future development activities, including the restoration of areas damaged by the recent cyclone Ditwah, and that one of the key challenges currently faced is securing the necessary human resources, particularly technical personnel, required to carry out the construction and development projects.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on June 19 in Kandy while paying a visit on the Mahanayaka Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters.

During her visit to the Malwathu Maha Viharaya in Kandy, the Prime Minister met with the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayaka Thero, Mahanayaka of the Malwathu Chapter, as well as the Anunayaka Theros of the Chapter, the Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero and the Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thero. The Prime Minister also engaged in a discussion with the Mahanayaka Thero.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister paid a visit to the Most Venerable Warakagoda Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thero, Mahanayaka of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya of Sri Lanka, and the Anunayaka of the Asgiri Chapter, the Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thero.

During the discussions, the Prime Minister briefed the Mahanayaka Thero on the current progress of the new education reforms. She also stated that measures would be taken to recruit teachers in the near future to address the existing teacher shortage. She further noted that the evaluation of answer scripts from the recently held teacher recruitment examination is currently underway and that successful candidates will be recruited expeditiously following a practical assessment.

The occasion was attended by the Members of Parliament, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, and several other officials.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Piriven education must be strengthened to ensure the revitalization of the Buddha Sasana in the face of challenges emerging from broader social transformation, and that reforms to Piriven education should be undertaken with a clear understanding that Piriven institutions and schools serve distinct purposes.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the National Piriven Day State Ceremony 2026, titled “Sasunata Diridena Surakimu Pirivena,” held today (19) at the SIBA premises in Pallekele.

The National Piriven Day State Ceremony was jointly organized by the Piriven Education Branch of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Central Provincial Council, under the guidance of Venerable Madovita Vajira Buddhi Thero, Director of the Piriven Education Division of the Ministry of Education. During the event, tributes were paid to members of the Maha Sangha in recognition of their dedicated service to Piriven education and the Buddha Sasana.

Addressing at the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“Piriven education must be strengthened to revitalize the Buddha Sasana in the face of challenges arising from broad social transformation. We must also recognize that Piriven institutions and schools are not the same, and reforms should be introduced accordingly.

In particular, the Maha Sangha must take the lead in shaping a system of Piriven education that can nurture a generation of monks capable of meeting the challenges of a complex and rapidly evolving modern world. I respectfully invite the Maha Sangha to come together and propose the reforms necessary to achieve the true objectives of Piriven education.

We are already engaged in discussions with the Piriven Education Division of the Ministry of Education on ways to further develop and strengthen Piriven education.

The event was attended by the Anunayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, members of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya and the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Central Province Governor Sarath Abeykoon, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, public representatives, government officials, Piriven teachers, and a large gathering of lay and ordained Piriven students.

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