The Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) officially commenced its 93rd Annual Scientific Session held today(26) at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The event highlighted the nation’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare through scientific innovation, prevention, and inclusivity.

The Prime Minister opened the session by congratulating the student gold medalists, distinguished researchers, and scholarship recipients honoured at the event. She noted that these achievements reflect the dedication of Sri Lanka’s academic institutions to fostering an evidence-based, innovation-driven healthcare workforce.

Commending the SLDA’s legacy spanning more than nine decades, the Prime Minister praised the Association’s longstanding role in promoting knowledge exchange, strengthening national collaboration, and upholding professional standards.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that public health extends beyond hospital care, noting that good health begins with preventive lifestyle choices.

“Oral health is an important part of this journey,” the Prime Minister stated. “A healthy smile is not only about having strong teeth; it is connected to good nutrition, a child’s ability to learn, an adult’s ability to work, and the overall wellbeing and dignity of every person.”

Highlighting global data, she observed that oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide. In Sri Lanka, significant challenges remain, including dental caries among children, widespread periodontal disease among adults, and the high prevalence of oral cancer among men, which is strongly associated with tobacco use, areca nut chewing, and betel quid consumption.

The Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s firm commitment to strengthening a preventive healthcare framework aimed at reducing the national burden of non-communicable diseases. She noted that the Government will continue to build on successful initiatives, including school dental services and community-based healthcare programmes.

The Prime Minister also urged the medical community to embrace emerging technologies, strengthen indigenous research capabilities, and adapt international best practices to further enhance the country’s public health system.

She welcomed the increasing participation of women in the dental profession, emphasizing that greater representation should be accompanied by equal opportunities in specialist training, research, leadership, and decision-making roles.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, SLDA President Dr. Ananda Rathnayaka, and leading dental professionals, researchers, and academics.

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Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that the Government is committed not only to providing the necessary support for the development of religious places, but also to nurturing moral values, providing positive guidance to society, and promoting national harmony.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on 26th of June while attending the unveiling ceremony of the ’kotha’ of the newly constructed stupa and declare open the new monks’ residence at the Mahigarjanaramaya Temple of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya in Pohoddaramulla, Wadduwa.

Prior to the unveiling of the ’Kotha’, the Prime Minister paid homage to the Most Venerable Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero, Chief Sanghanayake of Southern Sri Lanka, Chief Incumbent of the Sri Bodhiraja Dharmayathanaya in Embilipitiya, and Head of the Bodhiraja Centres in Singapore and Malaysia, together with other senior members of the Maha Sangha. During the visit, the Prime Minister exchanged insights with the senior monks on environmental cleanliness, the promotion of moral values among children, and dengue prevention programmes being implemented in schools.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister participated in the unveiling of the ’kotha’ of the newly constructed stupa and offered the first floral tribute at the stupa.

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

It is a privilege for me to join this meritorious occasion of unveiling the ’kotha’ of this stupa and dedicate the newly built monks’ residence to the Maha Sangha. This marks a significant new chapter.

This marks an important opportunity to preserve our heritage while passing on the legacy to future generations.

Developing religious places is not merely about constructing buildings with bricks. It is about creating an environment that brings people together and nurtures the moral values that bind our society. That is a responsibility shared by all of us.

There has always been a deep bond between society and the temple. It is inseparable from our social structure and moral life.

Today, with rapid technological advancement and increasingly busy lifestyles, that connection may have weakened. Yet, whenever we face any hardship, it is our faith that we instinctively turn to. That spiritual connection remains deeply rooted within us.

A nation is not developed through economic progress alone. A true national progress is achieved when people’s minds are guided by virtue and when moral values are strengthened. I appreciate the invaluable contribution made by the Maha Sangha and institutions in helping to achieve that goal.

The Prime Minister further noted that archaeological excavations have now commenced in Anuradhapura, Tissamaharama, and Yapahuwa to further explore Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist knowledge systems and the culture associated with them.

The occasion was graced by the presence of Most Venerable Gonaduwe Gunananda Thero, Chief Sanghanayake for the Western Province of the Malwathu Chapter and Chief Incumbent of the Korosduwa Vajrakot Viharaya; the Most Venerable Yatawara Ganasiri Thero, Chief Incumbent of Dharma Wardhanaramaya, Yatawara, President of the Millaniya Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya, and Upadhyaya of the Payagala Regional Sangha Sabha; the Most Venerable Bataduwe Sirivimala Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of Nehinna Sri Vishuddharamaya; the Chief Incumbent of the Mahigarjanaramaya Temple together with heads of Pirivena institutions and members of the Maha Sangha and attended by Members of Parliament Nilanthi Kottahachchi and Nandana Pathmakumara, other Members of Parliament, the Chairman of the Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha, members of the Pradeshiya Sabha, and a large gathering of devotees.

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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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