A meeting between the Global Development Chair including the delegation of the American Gates Foundation and the Prime Minister was held on 11th of July at the Parliament.

During the meeting, Dr. Chris Elias, Global Development Chair of the Gates Foundation, mentioned that this was his first visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his gratitude for the invitation extended to participate in this important discussion at the Parliament.

Dr. Chris Elias also stated that the Gates Foundation is willing to collaborate with Sri Lanka and highlighted areas where support could be extended, including improving the nutritional needs of children and women in the country, and the use of new digital tools to uplift the agricultural sector.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya appreciated the efforts of the Gates Foundation in addressing malnutrition by promoting maternal and child nutrition across Asian countries, including Sri Lanka and further discussed the contribution of the foundation to advancing digital technological development in the region.

While presenting the Gates Foundation representatives about government programs on provision of mid-day meals in schools to fulfill the nutritional needs of children, the Prime Minister expressed the need of their maximum support in meeting the nutritional needs of the children of the nation.

Further, the Prime Minister briefed the Gates Foundation representatives on the operations of the Digital Education Task Force, which was established under the patronage of the Secretary to the Prime Minister to integrate digital technology into teaching, learning, assessment, and education administration as part of the country’s new digital transformation in education.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of the Gates Foundation’s support and contribution to both the Digital Education Task Force and the upcoming education reforms set to commence in 2026.

Representatives of the Gates Foundation assured the Prime Minister of their commitment to supporting and partnering with relevant stakeholders in education reform and task force initiatives.

The event was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatte, Regional Representative for Policy and Government Relations of the Gates Foundation Dr. Jamal Khan, Director and Program Advisor of the Gates Foundation Ms. Archana Vyas, along with other members of the Foundation.

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The first awareness programme on the proposed education reforms, scheduled to be implemented from the year 2026, was held on July 11 at the Parliament under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

During the session, Members of Parliament were briefed on key aspects including the objectives and goals of the new reforms, the guiding principles behind the reforms, the main pillars of the reformed education system, curriculum revisions, implementation procedures, and teacher training.

Clarifications were also provided on how the new education reforms will be implemented and monitored by the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education, and the National Education Commission.

Further, the discussion highlighted on the primary aim of the new education reforms is to lay a strong foundation for creating a citizen capable of facing the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. It also aims to engage new citizens in the process of sustainable national development and peace building.

Following the initial presentation on educational reforms, Members of Parliament shared their views and proposed new suggestions related to the reforms. Special attention was given to the importance and necessity of ensuring this educational transformation also addresses the needs of children with special needs and disabilities.

The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Members of Parliament, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, Vice Chairman of the National Education Commission Mr. Tilak Dharmaratne, and other officials from the Ministry of Education, National Institute of Education, and the National Education Commission.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated as the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony of the international conference titled “Nourishing South Asia” on 9th of July which being held from July 9 to 11 at the Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo, with the aim of reducing anemia among young women and children in South Asia

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

First of all, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizing committee for inviting me to a conference of such regional significance. The goal of this conference is ’to build a South Asia where no adolescent girl or woman suffers from preventable anemia, and to remain committed to that cause.’ In order to achieve this goal, we must ensure that every girl has access to nutritious food, health education, and quality care. At the same time, we must create an environment that enables women to realize their full potential and empowers them to do so.

This aim cannot be accomplished alone by the government itself. That is why this conference is designed to be a platform for renewed commitment and practical action from all sectors of society that support and strengthen our shared goal.

Addressing further, Prime Minister stated that the issue of anemia among adolescent girls and women is a serious concern, but not something that cannot be solved. Through renewed commitment, regional cooperation, and collective action, we can nourish future generations across South Asia and we can build a healthier, more equitable society by breaking the cycle of undernutrition. This is both the hope and belief of myself and our government. I would also like to reiterate here that as a government, we are fully committed to this cause. Our nutrition program, which targets schoolchildren, aims to ensure they receive adequate nutrition and are protected from malnutrition.

I look forward with great expectation to the fruitful discussions, valuable exchanges of ideas, and practical commitments that will emerge from this conference.

I would like to propose this vision that let us unite as a region and pledge our dedication to reducing and eliminating anemia among women and girls through strong regional collaboration. By nurturing our women and young girls, we can nourish the entire South Asian region.

I hope that while experiencing the warm hospitality and unique beauty of our lovely country, your stay here will be both professionally fulfilling and personally memorable.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was welcomed by Rini Simon Khanna, and joined by regional dignitaries and the evet was participated by Md. Golam Sarwar (SAARC), Sanjay Wijesekera (UNICEF), and other active members.

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Let us all strive to create a space where language does not create dividing, but rather a medium that unites all individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that following the policy statement “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life”, national policies must be implemented in such a way that every citizen can access essential services in their respective mother tongues as well as in sign language.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the closing ceremony of the National Languages Week "Path to Reconciliation", organized by the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, held at the Sri Lanka Foundation on 07th of July.

The National Languages Week, held under the theme “Talk Together – Live Together”, commenced on 01st of July, marking the National Languages Day, and continued for seven days and the closing ceremony was held under the participation of the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Justice and National Integration, Mr. Harsha Nanayakkara.

Delivering further remarks at the event, the Prime Minister stated:

National Languages Week is not just a time to focus on and acknowledge language policy but also it highlights the critical role of the language that fosters identity, respect, and in building a peaceful society that brings all people together.

If certain communities feel that they do not have the opportunity to communicate in their own language at crucial institutions like courts, police stations, schools, state institutions, or administrative offices, then this is not merely an issue of service delivery. In such circumstances, people may genuinely begin to feel that they are excluded. Therefore, it is essential to ensure equal linguistic rights and dignity for all ethnic groups.

Therefore, we must create schools where Sinhala and Tamil students can learn each other’s languages, hospitals where patients can express their symptoms in the language they feel most comfortable in and receive respectful care, and a justice system where citizens can seek justice in a language they understand.

These are not luxury privileges but fundamental conditions that should practically exist in a society rooted in harmony.

Accordingly, the new educational reforms beginning in 2026 will incorporate teaching methods that emphasize the importance of all languages in the country and highlight language as something beyond just a subject. That is why such reforms have been introduced.

Addressing the event, Minister of Justice and National Unity Mr. Harsha Nanayakkara said:

Even though we may not share the same past, we certainly share a common future that we can build together. On this National Languages Day, let us all commit ourselves to building a Sri Lanka that thrives on genuine reconciliation and vibrant unity.

At the closing ceremony of National Languages Week, awards and certificates were presented by the Prime Minister to the winners of the model essay competition held at school level by the Official Languages Commission, and to those who passed the National Language Proficiency Examinations conducted by the Department of Official Languages.

The event was attended by the High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Deputy Minister of National Integration Mr. Muneer Mulaffar, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa, along with other state and diplomatic officials, students, and the general public.

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The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that when developing school infrastructure under the new education reforms, it is necessary to allocate higher financial support to schools in underprivileged areas in order to ensure their improvement.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held to brief the governors and provincial secretaries on the support expected at the provincial and regional levels within the new education reforms on July 5 at the Temple Trees.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

The cooperation of the Provincial Councils is essential in implementing the education reforms that have been carefully planned. The educational reform must be implemented by integrating national policies with provincial procedures. We are well aware of the importance of maintaining consistency and avoiding contradictions in educational policies. The ultimate goal of the education reforms is to enhance the quality of education. The final beneficiaries of this process should be the students, their parents, and their families. Every decision we make should be made with the child in mind.

There are two challenges we face under the education reforms. one is to change the existing education system, and the other is to continue with some of the current procedures for a certain period during the transition.

We are compelled to implement this transformation while resolving the issues that have arisen from decisions made over time.

The Prime Minister further emphasized the importance of achieving consensus in policymaking while the schools operate under the responsibility of provincial authorities on a day-to-day basis.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Secretary to Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwawa, including governors, provincial secretaries, provincial directors of education, representatives from the Treasury, the Finance Commission, and other officials representing the Ministry of Education.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated, "Let’s also remember that healthcare is not just a service. It is a social necessity. And good regulation, like good governance, is ultimately about protecting and promoting that social necessity."

The Prime Minister made this remark while addressing the Centenary Celebration of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) held on 5th July at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

In alignment with the 100-year celebration, a commemorative stamp was officially released during the ceremony.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated:

"This is not just a celebration of 100 years of service to the public, to the medical profession, and to our country.

In the case of medicine, this responsibility becomes even more critical because here, we are dealing with life itself. Despite severe challenges, Sri Lanka has been able to maintain trust in the health system, as was evidenced during the COVID pandemic.

As the Minister of Education, I want to urge you to consider how we can ensure that our medical education produces more humane, empathetic, and ethical practitioners. I congratulate the Sri Lanka Medical Council on reaching this historic milestone. The government is proud to stand with you today and in the years to come."

Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa also attended to the event and while addressing the gathering he stated that,

"We live in a time of profound transformation in healthcare. The old certainties are giving way to new complexities. As we move toward universal health coverage, digitised care, genomic medicine, and cross-border service delivery, regulation must keep pace. The SLMC is not immune to these pressures it is, in fact, at the centre of them.

The Ministry of Health considers the SLMC a key partner, not only in regulating the medical profession but also in shaping the direction of healthcare delivery in Sri Lanka. Over the years, we have worked together on matters of licensing, education standards, continuing professional development, ethical oversight, and health workforce planning. These are not minor tasks—they go to the very heart of how we ensure quality, safety, and accountability in the health services we provide to our citizens."

The event was attended by ambassadors, the Attorney General, Justices of the Supreme Court, members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, and other dignitaries.

Prime Minister’s Media Division