Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that in order to ensure the economic, social, and cultural security of the country, it is essential to develop a quality human resource, and that education plays a vital role in achieving this goal.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is committed to bring about a transformation in the education sector, and that the government will continue to move forward by overcoming obstacles encountered along the way, guided by a clear vision and purpose.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the EDCS Sisu Nena Pranama scholarship award ceremony held today (31) at Temple Trees, organized to recognize the children of the members of the Education Co-operative Society (EDCS) who have been selected to state universities for the academic year2023/2024.

Elaborating further, the Prime Minister noted that this program, organized by the Education Service Employees– Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society Ltd, is not merely about providing scholarships, but is an occasion that recognizes and appreciates the dedication of students and their parents who are preparing to shoulder the responsibility of the country’s future.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that it is a remarkable achievement that a society which began in 1930 with just 58 members and a membership fee of one rupee has today grown into the largest cooperative society in South Asia, with approximately 215,000 members.

The Prime Minister further highlighted how rapidly the world is changing, and the increasing necessity of developing human resources in the face of economic and environmental crises. She stressed that the education system must be transformed from the level of school education itself to align with the demands of the modern world, and that students entering universities should become leaders and active participants in this transformation.

Noting that out of nearly 300,000 students who enter primary education each year, only about 40,000 gain admission to universities, the Prime Minister urged students to make use of this opportunity for the development of the country.

Addressing the occasion, Deputy Minister of Labour and General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Service Union, Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe, stated that due to corruption-free management, it was possible to increase the financial stability of the society from Rs. 1,200 million to Rs. 1,700 million within a short period of approximately nine months.

Under this year’s program, scholarships amount to over Rs. 13.7 million were awarded to 2,292 students who have been selected to state universities.

This scholarship program, which initiated in 1984 with 15 students and an initial fund of Rs. 3,500, has been conducted continuously for 41 years. At present, scholarships of up to a maximum of Rs. 75,000 per student are awarded, demonstrating the collective strength and solidarity of the teaching community.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Education Development Cooperative Society, Mr. Lal Kumara, the Western Province Director of Education, Ms. Darshani Iddamalgoda, along with other officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The foundation for building a future generation enriched with values and compassion begins today.

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the new education reforms lay the essential foundation for nurturing a future generation enriched by values and compassion, and that the Government has undertaken the responsibility of providing every child with a quality education in a prosperous country.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the national programme to implement the new education reforms for Grade One in 2026, held today (29) at the WP/ Jaya / Gunasekara Primary School in Athurugiriya.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister planted a sapling together with students on the school premises and inspected the modernized Grade One classrooms developed under the new education reforms, engaging in friendly conversation with the students.

In parallel with the implementation of the new education reforms, and to symbolically mark the admission of students to Grade One across the island, the Prime Minister entered students’ names into the school admission register at the Gunasekara Primary School, Athurugiriya. Subsequently, school uniforms and text books were distributed to the students.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

Reducing the weight of school bags and creating a pressure-free learning environment so that children come to school with joy is a remarkable feature of these new education reforms. We are committed to turning the ’Dream School’ concept, which is aimed at creating a pleasant school environment into a reality. Further, plans are currently being underway to implement the education reforms that could not be implemented for Grade Six students in 2026 in the future.

Under the new reforms, building a foundation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), engaging in environment-related activities based on scientific principles, and strengthening the teaching of English and the second language form the core of primary education. For decades, the country followed a competitive education model limited largely to textbook-based knowledge. As this system has contributed to children becoming disengaged from education, the Prime Minister emphasized that it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure every child’s right to education.

The Government is working to establish a student-centred education system instead of a teacher-centred one. Accordingly, this education reform can be described not merely as a curriculum change, but as a transformational change across the entire education system.

Within this transformative process, special attention has been given to protecting children’s mental freedom, with the primary objective of nurturing balanced future citizens. Plans have also been developed through these reforms to safeguard the professionalism of teachers and to further enhance their capacities.

We will never allow a child’s education to be determined by their parents’ financial capacity. We confidently declare that, as a Government, we have undertaken the responsibility of safeguarding your child’s future.

The event was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha and leaders of all religions, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Member of Parliament Asitha Niroshan, Mayor of Kaduwela Ranjan Jayalal, Secretary to the Ministry Nalaka Kaluwewa, Principal of Athurugiriya Gunasekara Primary School Nadika Dharmadasa, along with other officials and parents.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Dear children and parents,

We hope that the first day of school becomes a cherished memory in the lives of our children. With this in mind, we are making every effort to improve school environments and strengthen the teaching–learning process, so that children can experience their school years in a safe, joyful, and meaningful manner.

We are committed to reducing the burden of heavy schoolbags, while ensuring that children continue to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed for their future and for their eventual entry into the workforce.

Dear Parents, our goal is to provide every child with a rich education in a prosperous and just society. We firmly believe that a child’s educational opportunities should not be determined by the economic circumstances of their family, and that no child should be excluded from education. Accordingly, the Government has taken responsibility for putting in place the necessary measures to guarantee equal access to education for every child. We value the constructive ideas and suggestions of all stakeholders as we work towards this shared objective.

We are committed to engaging with these ideas openly and constructively, and to making the learning experiences of children who grow through play, movement, and curiosity more practical, meaningful, and engaging, while ensuring that classrooms remain spaces of happiness and encouragement.

My dear children, as you step beyond the comfort of your mother’s embrace and place your trust in your teachers and parents, I wish you success, confidence, and fulfilment in all that lies ahead.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
29th of January 2026

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the official launch of the National Strategic Action Plan to monitor and combat human trafficking (2026-2030) held on 28th of January at the Cinnamon Life Hotel, Colombo. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Defence, National Anti Human Trafficking Task Force ( NAHTTF), International Organization for Migration (IOM).

This five-year Action Plan was unveiled under the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, in its capacity as Chair of the NAHTTF and with the technical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The National Strategic Action Plan 2026-2030 establishes a unified national framework to prevent human trafficking, protect and assist victims, strengthen law enforcement responses, and enhance accountability.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening national efforts to prevent and address human trafficking and stated that the Action Plan must transcend its symbolic launch into concrete, coordinated, and sustained implementation.

The Prime Minister also noted that the launch of the National Strategic Action Plan is timely, as it operationalizes the four internationally recognized pillars of the anti-trafficking framework namely prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.

The Prime Minister further stated,

Caring for trafficking survivors in Sri Lanka requires a holistic, gender-sensitive, and survivor-centered approach that addresses both immediate protection and long-term recovery. This includes safe shelter, medical care, and trauma-informed psychological support, with particular attention to women and girls who experience more severe and gendered forms of violence, alongside legal assistance, economic empowerment, and skills development to prevent re-trafficking.

Human trafficking is a structural and social challenge that requires sustained, multi-sectoral action. Ministries and government agencies must embed anti-trafficking priorities into their core strategies and day-to-day operations, ensuring institutional integration and professional accountability.

The event was also attended by Parinda Ranasinghe Jnr, PC, Attorney General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Chair of the NAHTTF, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha; and Kristin Parco, IOM Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka and Maldives. Members of the NAHTTF representing 23 key government entities, along with representatives of the diplomatic community, United Nations entities and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that food safety practices should not be confined merely to the school curriculum, but should be nurtured as an integral part of a child’s attitudes and behavioural patterns.

The Prime Minister made these remarks today (28) while addressing the National Workshop on Education for Building and Strengthening a Domestic Circular Economy, held at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, under the Circular Economy in the Food Sector Project (2024–2027).

Implemented with financial support from the European Union, under the Global Gateway programme in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the workshop aimed to identify challenges and opportunities in integrating circular economy concepts into school education; to develop practical action plans through policymakers, youth and skills development sectors, and formal education stakeholders; and to establish a educational foundation to promote sustainable circular economy practices in the food sector of Sri Lanka by 2027.

Addressing at the event, the Prime Minister stated:

Education is not merely about passing examinations and securing employment. True education fosters a sense of responsibility and connection towards society and the environment. At present, what is most important is the concept of the circular economy, which promotes the repeated and efficient use of resources.

This concept is not unfamiliar to our ancestors. I am reminded of my grandmother, who demonstrated remarkable skill in minimizing food waste. From what we discard today such as passion fruit peels, she prepared delicious jams and chutneys. Even the metal lids of milk bottles were not thrown away. Instead, she transformed them into creative household decorations. ’Nothing should be wasted’ was a core philosophy of their way of life.

However, today, women deal with intense time pressures. Balancing employment and childcare responsibilities, food waste such as vegetables or cooked meals left unused in refrigerators has become increasingly common due to time restrictions. This should not be seen as the sole responsibility of women; rather, household responsibilities and labour must be shared collectively within the family.

The Prime Minister further emphasized that practices such as taking only the required portion of food, cleaning one’s own plate, and developing respect for conserving resources should not remain theoretical lessons, but should be embraced as everyday life practices. She also reaffirmed that the Ministry of Education would extend its full support towards achieving this goal.

The event was attended by H.E. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives; Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation of the European Union; FAO Representative Vimlendra Sharan; along with representatives from the National Institute of Education (NIE), and a number of government and non-governmental organizations.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who participated in the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, concluded her successful four-day official visit and returned to the island on January 23, having confidently presented Sri Lanka’s future direction and the policy stability of the new government to the global community.

The visit, attended by a delegation including Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, went beyond a series of diplomatic engagements and marked a significant milestone in strengthening the global confidence in Sri Lanka.

During the visit, the Prime Minister participated in consequential discussions with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Ms. Kristalina Georgieva and the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Mr. Masato Kanda. The Prime Minister outlined the debt restructuring process, economic stabilization efforts, and commitment to transparent financial governance of Sri Lanka, and successfully secured continued support from the institutions for the future trajectory of the country.

Participating in the diplomatic discussions, the Prime Minister met with the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Mr. Jozef Síkela and Commissioner for Crisis Management Ms. Hadja Lahbib. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the assistance extended by the European Union following the impact of Cyclone “Ditwah” on Sri Lanka and reaffirmed long-term EU support for disaster management and national recovery efforts.

At a meeting with the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mr. Alexander De Croo, the attention was focused on establishing a transparent governance and a strong social protection framework in line with the people’s mandate received by the new government.

The Prime Minister’s contributions as a key speaker at the World Economic Forum sessions titled “Jobs Crisis in Emerging Markets” and “Reskilling Revolution” drew significant international attention.

The Prime Minister highlighted the need to build a “Learning Society” to bridge the time lag between rapid technological advancement and human adaptation.

Global attention was also drawn to Sri Lanka’s fully funded training programmes targeting 50,000 youth, as well as reforms in vocational education. In particular, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of building a Learning Society to ensure that generational divisions do not widen in the face of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.

The speech delivered by the Prime Minister at the World Woman Davos Agenda 2026 under the theme “Women Leading the Changing Global Order” was marked an impactful intervention. She emphasized that leadership is not merely about taking a seat at existing tables, but about restructuring the tables themselves, and stressed the need to recognize unpaid care work undertaken by women as a core component of the economy. She also highlighted the election of 20 women to Sri Lanka’s current Parliament as a reflection of the government’s commitment to inclusive governance.

In the sphere of business and investment, discussions were held with Mr. Robert Mærsk Uggla, Chairman of global logistics leader MAERSK, and Mr. Hassan El-Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, aiming at investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s ports, supply chains, and aviation sectors.

The Prime Minister also undertook technical visits to Swiss high-tech companies Hamilton Medical and Variosystems, and explored the ways to introduce the Dual Vocational Training model at Switzerland in a manner suited to Sri Lanka.

Strengthening regional cooperation, the Prime Minister met with President of Singapore Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam to discuss collaboration in education and skills development, and exchanged views on bilateral relations with Mr. Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh.

At a dialogue held at the Euronews Hub, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of utilizing tourism as a form of “soft power” and diplomatic capital.

Concluding the visit, the Prime Minister met with the members of the Sri Lankan business l and professional community residing in Switzerland, as well as Swiss business representatives. The discussions were held on practical contributions and cooperation that overseas Sri Lankans and foreign investors can extend towards Sri Lanka’s economic revival.

Through this historic engagement in Davos, the Prime Minister was able to reaffirm to the world that Sri Lanka is not merely a recipient of aid, but a country with a progressive state grounded in policy stability, attuned to global trends, and centered on human dignity.

The international respect and trust gained through this visit will further illuminate Sri Lanka’s future development path.

Prime Minister’s Media Division