The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the South Asia Regional Conference of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) 2026 held on 2nd of February at the Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The conference is hosted by the Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka and the World Federation of Consuls. The conference held from 1st to 4th of February, brings together diplomats, business leaders, and policymakers to strengthen regional cooperation and explore new avenues for sustainable development across South Asia.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister noted that selection of Sri Lanka as the venue for this conference holds particular significance at a time when the Government is working closely with international partners to position Sri Lanka as a credible and reliable region.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to Sri Lanka’s vulnerability against climate change, citing the recent impact of Cyclone Ditwah, and commended the support extended to Sri Lanka by the international partners. The Prime Minister emphasized that climate change requires global cooperation, shared responsibility, and innovative solutions.

She further highlighted ongoing efforts to improve public sector efficiency, transparency, and accountability, promote national unity and respect for diversity, and advance digital governance to enhance service delivery and public trust.

The Prime Minister stated,

The Government of Sri Lanka is committed to addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges through a clear policy framework. Our focus is on economic stability through fiscal discipline, sustainable debt management, and reforms that enhance productivity and growth. At the same time, we are strengthening social welfare programs to support the most vulnerable.

Addressing at the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism MP Vijitha Herath also stated that, the government is committed to recognizing Sri Lanka as a sustainable tourism hotspot in the global platform while positioning Sri Lanka as a stable and reliable international partner.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Mr. Arun Hemachandra, FICAC President Nikolaos K. Margaropoulos, President of the Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka Mr.Mahen Kariyawasam and Diplomatic corps.

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We believe that a new transformative era can be built in which everyone participates in the economic process and benefits from it.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is confident in building an economy that delivers benefits to everyone, paving the way for a transformative era. The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the MILCO National Dairy Farmers’ Profit Sharing, Introducing farm/farm family insurance & Appreciation Programme - 2026 held on the 02nd of February at Temple Trees.

The MILCO National Dairy Farmers’ Profit Sharing, Introducing farm/farm family insurance & Appreciation Programme, organized under the theme, “A Nutritious and Thriving Nation Enriched by Milk,” was held to recognize the MILCO dairy farming community that contributed to the company recording its highest sales turnover in 2025 and achieving a historic net profit.

Under this programme, it has been decided to distribute performance incentives to 22,000 dairy farmers affiliated with MILCO. During the ceremony, dividend payments were symbolically awarded to 2,000 dairy farmers. Additionally, incentive payments were provided to dairy farmers across all provinces of the island, and field officers were also recognized. Membership certificates for pension entitlements under the Dairy Farmer Retirement Scheme, jointly implemented by the Social Security Fund and MILCO, were also awarded at this event.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister stated that the current Government is committed to implementing an economic system based on economic democracy, where all producers across the country are integrated into the production process and benefits are equitably shared. She emphasized that this inclusive approach is a core pillar of the Government’s economic strategy.

The Prime Minister further noted that by minimizing fraud and corruption within state institutions, ensuring proper management, and providing goal-oriented leadership, public institutions can be transformed into strong, efficient entities that deliver tangible benefits to the people. She stated that MILCO has proven this within a short period of time.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

These dividends are being distributed after 21 years. The last time this was done was during the brief period when His Excellency the President served as Minister of Agriculture. It has taken 21 years to reach this point. This clearly shows the extent of damage caused to this country by previous administrations. If we were able to achieve this within fifteen or sixteen months, it strongly proves the fraud committed by those who managed these institutions for decades. The time has now come to correct those wrongs and to build institutions properly, that involve everyone in the economic process and ensure benefits for all.

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha also expressed appreciation to the Chairman, Board of Directors, staff of MILCO, and the dairy farmers for transforming MILCO into a high-income-generating enterprise within a short time of period and emphasized the importance of assigning national value to such achievements.

The Minister stated that the development of MILCO and its significant revenue generation were made possible through the people-oriented policies and actions of the new Government, and further stated that state institutions can be developed into major revenue earners. The Minister assured continued Government support to address the challenges faced by dairy farmers and urged them to remain committed to maintaining high standards and proper procedures in the dairy industry.

The event was attended by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunarathne, Member of Parliament to Anuradhapura District Mr. Susantha Kumara Navarathna, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, Chairman of MILCO Hemajeewa Gotabhaya, along with ministry and institutional officials and dairy farmers from across the island.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the environmental protection should not be limited to a single day, but must become an integral part of everyday life. The Prime Minister further noted that the development cannot be achieved by ignoring the environment.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending as the Chief Guest at the State ceremony held to mark World Wetlands Day under the theme “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage,”held today (02) at the “Ape Gama” premises in Battaramulla.

During the occasion, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, officially declared Gonameriya as a protected area. The event also featured the launch of the Waterfall Catalogue, the Waterfall Directory and the magazine “Wetlands Sri Lanka” and certificates were awarded to the winners of the All-Island Art Competition conducted in commemoration of World Wetlands Day.

Further elaborating, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya noted,

Sri Lanka’s traditional irrigation systems and agricultural practices embody unique scientific knowledge that does not harm the environment.

Knowledge is not confined to a single form and children should study and learn from this traditional knowledge. Sri Lanka’s irrigation systems and agriculture are founded on a science that protects nature.

Wetlands are not merely marshy lands, but serve as a natural shield that protects the water systems, climatic stability, and biodiversity of the country. In the face of adverse climate changes such as recent cyclones, proper environmental protection is essential to minimize damage. The protection of natural resources forms the fundamental basis of the policy vision “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”

The event was attended by Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakodi, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, along with Ministry Secretaries and a large number of government officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Arrangements have been finalized to bring the sacred bodily relics of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. The sacred bodily relics were first discovered in the 1960s in the Gujarat region of India, the birthplace of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These sacred relics, which have never before been taken outside India, will be made available for veneration by the people of Sri Lanka.

A special District Coordination Committee meeting to discuss the preliminary arrangements was held on January 31 at the Colombo District Secretariat, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the participation of the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordination Committee, Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi.

Following the discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Prime Minister of India, and with the support of the Government of India, these sacred relics will be brought to Sri Lanka and displayed for seven days, from the 04th to 11th of February, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo.

The exhibition will remain open 24 hours a day for the public veneration. A special priority queue system will also be implemented for foreign tourists, pregnant mothers, and persons with disabilities.

All relevant government institutions have jointly prepared comprehensive plans to ensure proper transport, sanitation, and security facilities for devotees attending this religious event. Accordingly, the Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board, and private bus services will operate a special transportation plan, while the Police and the Tri-Forces will implement special security and traffic management arrangements.

The steps have been taken from the District’s Business Community to organize dansal and refreshment services for devotees waiting in queues.

Taking possible weather conditions into consideration, all essential arrangements have already been completed to enable devotees to venerate the sacred bodily relics with ease.

The special meeting was attended by the Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, members of the Maha Sangha, Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Members of Parliament, local government representatives, Colombo District Secretary Prasanna Janaka Kumara, and state officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that all government strategic plans must be formulated in a manner that ensures no child in the country is deprived of vocational education or any other educational opportunity due to economic hardship.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a workshop on budget formulation and strategic planning of institutions affiliated with the vocational education sector, held on 29th and 30th of January 2026 at the Grand Monarch.

The workshop was organized with the participation of heads and senior officials of nine institutions, including two universities affiliated with the vocational education sector.

The Prime Minister pointed out that it is essential to align the development plans of key institutions and the affiliated institutions with the National Economic Development Plan.

The Prime Minister stated that while educational institutions produce individuals with vocational knowledge, reforms must also nurture compassion, empathy, care for others, and ethical values. The Prime Minister noted that the objective of this initiative is to nurture professionals enriched by humanity.

She further emphasized that it is the responsibility of the government to further expand pathways for children who are experiencing economical disadvantages to access vocational education and secure their future.

Attention was also drawn to the sectors of AI revolution and the future of vocational education. The Prime Minister observed that there is still no comprehensive global understanding of the changes taking place in the world of work and vocational fields due to artificial intelligence (AI). She stressed that integrating vocational education into the mainstream education process through educational reforms is an urgent necessity at this time.

The revolution brought about by AI technology is often driven by profit. Just as we were exploited during past industrial revolutions, we must ensure that we are not left behind or marginalized in this revolution. We must not merely confine ourselves to a data center.

The Prime Minister highlighted that while teaching and learning activities can be carried out online, the impact of technology is limited in professions involving human care and compassion, such as childcare and caregiving services underscoring the importance of developing soft skills and adopting a human-centered approach.

It was discussed that the flexible pathways should be created to enable a student to progress continuously through vocational education up to doctoral level, as well as to re-enter education while being employed (lateral entry). While ensuring such flexibility in the system, maintaining high standards and quality in education was highlighted as essential to ensuring credibility.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Vice Chancellor of the University of Vocational Technology Professor Prasanna Premadasa, Vice Chancellor of the Ocean University Professor Nalin Rathnayake, Chairman of NIBM Dr. G. Thantirigama, Director General D.M.A. Kulasooriya, and several other officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

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