The environment is the foundation of our livelihood. It is the responsibility of the government to bequeath a secure, prosperous, and green planet to future generations.

In line with the global theme, “Urgent Climate Action,” and guided by the vision of “A Sustainable Biosphere – An Evergreen Life,” Sri Lanka commemorates World Environment Day this year at a critical moment. Drawing lessons from the climate-related challenges we have recently experienced, special attention has been directed toward protecting the water catchment areas of the central highlands and restoring ecosystems.

Under the theme “Dalulanna Idadenna” ( Let it Bloom), the Ministry of Environment has organized a series of programmes across the island to mark World Environment Day. These initiatives include environmental conservation inspired by religious values, awareness programmes on climate change, the protection of the Diyawanna Oya, the development of infrastructure in the wildlife sector, the conservation of water resources, and the promotion of medicinal plant cultivation, and through these efforts,  it is evident that environmental conservation has evolved beyond a mere concept and become a practical and active commitment.

At this significant moment in our nation’s history, as more than 63,000 hectares of forest land have been gazetted as protected reserves through the “Wanaspathi” National Programme, which was launched last year, every citizen must resolve to live in harmony with the environment.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Following the 3-day visit to Sri Lanka, the Executive Board delegation of the United States Children’s Fund (UNICEF) met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 04th of June at the Temple Trees premises.

Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed her appreciation for UNICEF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in advancing the rights and well-being of children. She also commended UNICEF’s timely assistance and recovery efforts extended in response to Cyclone Ditwah.

Discussions focused on strengthening legal protections for children, including measures to prevent all forms of violence against children and address child malnutrition.

The Prime Minister further noted that this occasion presents a valuable opportunity to further strengthen collaboration between UNICEF and the Government of Sri Lanka and emphasized that while Sri Lanka possesses a strong policy and legal framework, attention must be paid to ensuring effective implementation and enforcement in addressing existing challenges affecting children and vulnerable communities.

The UNICEF representatives commended the Government’s ongoing education reform process. UNICEF representatives also expressed their willingness to continue assistance to the government in achieving the outcomes and promoting child-sensitive programmes.

The meeting was attended by the H.E. Mr. Rein Tammsaar (Estonia) President, H.E. Sophia Tesfamariam (Eritrea) Vice President, H.E. Ms. Alejandra Hernandez Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Vice President and the Executive Board delegation of the United States Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 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 & Tourism.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Objective of this Initiative is to Develop Villages on their unique economic strengths

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Praja Shakthi Programme represents the democratic characteristics of a people-centred governance and that its objective is to develop villages by identifying and strengthening the unique economic patterns of each area.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inaugural ceremony of the rehabilitation and recultivation project of abandoned paddy fields, implemented by the Praja Shakthi Development Council of the Nampamunuwa Grama Niladhari Division on June 2. The programme marked the launch of the Colombo District component of the “Gam Dahasak Weda Dahasak” initiative under the Praja Shakthi National Programme for Poverty Alleviation, implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.

Addressing the gathering further, the Prime Minister stated:

The Praja Shakthi Programme exemplifies the democratic characteristics of a people-centred government. Beyond its title, the deeper meaning of this initiative is the recognition that people-centred governance is not solely the responsibility of the government. It is a collective effort involving the government, public officials, and the people themselves. Moving beyond the traditional model in which communication between leaders and citizens was largely confined to election periods, Praja Shakthi has established an organizational structure that extends to every Grama Niladhari Division, promoting active citizen participation in governance and strengthening democratic engagement at the grassroots level.

Similar empowerment projects have existed in the past. However, they often failed to deliver the intended benefits to the people and instead empowered politicians. Following the transformation brought about by the people in 2024, citizens have moved beyond a dependency mindset and have taken responsibility for rebuilding the country by actively participating in programmes such as this. Through these initiatives, communities can identify and strengthen the unique economic patterns of their own areas with the goal of achieving economic empowerment.

In the face of the uncertain global political and economic environment, a self-sufficient way of life is essential for ensuring economic security. We should import only what is absolutely necessary while producing as many essential goods as possible within the country. Through food security, we must build an economy capable of withstanding global challenges.

By maintaining strong cooperation among the government, public officials, and the people, these initiatives can help eradicate poverty. As poverty is reduced, a prosperous nation will emerge, and in turn, a better quality of life will be created for all.

The occasion was attended by the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Chairman and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairman of the Kesbewa Municipal Council Chamara Madduma Kaluge, Chairman of the Boralesgamuwa Urban Council Pradeep Nishantha Wedamulla, municipal councillors, government officials, representatives of farmer organizations, and community members.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival in Colombo, organized under the guidance of Venerable Kirinde Assaji Thero of the Gangaramaya Temple, was officially inaugurated under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Following the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister also participated in the opening of the dansala held within the Gangaramaya Temple premises.

Later in the afternoon of 31 May, the Prime Minister attended the inauguration of the Sri Sarvajna Sacred Relic Exhibition held at the Dharma Shasthrodaya Pirivena Temple in Piliyandala. Upon arriving at the temple, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya paid her respects to the Chief Incumbent and received blessings. She then offered gilanpasa to the Sacred Relics enshrined in the temple’s Dharma Hall. Thereafter, the relic exhibition was ceremonially opened for public veneration.

The Kotikawatta–Mulleriyawa Vesak ZONE, organized under the guidance of Venerable Dodamgolle Pannananda Thero, Chief Incumbent of Sri Suramyaramaya Temple, Madinnagoda, was also inaugurated under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. On this occasion, the Prime Minister illuminated the Vesak pandal depicting the Yamamah Perahera, which had been organized by the Kotikawatta–Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha. Alongside the event, a Body Bethi Gee performance organized by the Kolonnawa Young Buddhist Association and the Kolonnawa East and West Sasanarakshaka Mandalayas was held. The event was sponsored by the United Traders’ Association.

The occasion was graced by the presence of Members of the Maha Sangha, Ministers Wasantha Samarasinghe and Sunil Watagala, Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipunarachchi, diplomatic core, chairpersons of local authorities, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, government officials, and a large gathering of devotees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya delivered the Bishop Cyril Abeynayake Memorial Lecture at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, addressing a distinguished gathering on the theme, “Shaping the Future of Education in 21st Century Sri Lanka and Beyond.” Attending the memorial ceremony on 30 May at the invitation of the Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Dushantha Rodrigo, the Prime Minister highlighted Sri Lanka’s rich tradition of multi-faith collaboration and plurality, as embodied by the Anglican Church.

In her address, the Prime Minister re-evaluated the historical trajectory of Sri Lanka’s educational policy. She referenced the landmark 1971 ILO Seers Report, which diagnosed the country’s economic challenges through the lens of a “skills mismatch” and the “queuing phenomenon” associated with public sector employment.

The Prime Minister noted that, although decades of subsequent reforms heavily favoured STEM, technical education, and “soft skills” in response to market demands, these initiatives have failed to resolve the underlying structural crises.

The Prime Minister urged a return to the foundational principles of the Kannangara Reforms (1943–1947), emphasizing that free education was never intended merely to train a future labour force for corporate interests. Rather, its visionary purpose was to cultivate politically aware, morally grounded, and critically engaged citizens essential to a robust democracy.

“Education was expected to produce the kinds of citizens required for a newly independent democratic nation-state,” the Prime Minister stated, noting that early elite resistance to free education sought to limit the social mobility of the rural poor.

The Prime Minister identified five fundamental crises that the proposed state reforms seek to address directly. These include the widening gap between elite and non-elite educational institutions, noting that even state-owned elite schools continue to reproduce societal privilege; the historical failure to nurture politically mature, analytical, and socially responsible citizens envisioned by post-independence reformers; the stark disconnect between women’s strong academic performance and their comparatively low labour force participation, constrained by an unequal burden of domestic care work; the urgent need to keep pace with rapid technological disruptions driven by industry and market logic, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence; and the shift from viewing education as a transformative life experience to treating it as a transactional pursuit centred solely on paper qualifications.

The Prime Minister emphasized that adapting to AI requires deep systemic transformation, enhanced digital literacy, and strengthened online safety measures, rather than superficial curriculum adjustments alone.

Expanding on the path forward, the Prime Minister stressed that meaningful educational reform cannot be achieved merely by revising curricula; rather, it requires a comprehensive transformation of structures, institutions, and the broader teaching and learning environment.

She outlined the cultural shift required across the entire education ecosystem. For students, education should open expansive pathways and opportunities rather than narrow their horizons. Young people, she stated, should be inspired and energized by learning rather than burdened by it. For parents, the system must rebuild trust so that they can confidently rely on educational institutions to act in the best interests of their children, moving away from an atmosphere of suspicion. She further emphasized that teaching must be restored as a respected and prestigious profession, chosen for its transformative impact rather than viewed merely as a “fallback” or “safe” career option.

The Prime Minister stated that the ultimate goal of educational reform is to cultivate respected leaders across all sectors, including religion, the economy, politics, the arts, and community life, whom citizens can admire and trust.

Reaffirming the Government’s vision, the Prime Minister concluded by stating that education is fundamentally about understanding the world more deeply in order to transform it, a task that can only be achieved when society remains engaged in courageous and meaningful dialogue with one another.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Marking the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day observed on today - 30th May 2026, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the ceremonial occasions of opening of two Vesak pandals erected in Colombo.

Following the opening of Vesak pandal depicting the “Sambula Jataka”, organized by the Sri Vaishakya Society of the Magazine United Traders of Borella, the Prime Minister attended the opening of the pandal of the “Samudra Vanija Jataka” at Kosgas Junction, Grandpass, where she ceremonially lit the traditional oil lamp to inaugurate the illumination of the pandal.

The event was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha, clergy representing other religions, and attended by the Members of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika, Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, and Dilith Jayaweera, along with other public representatives and the Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa, former Member of Parliament Thilanga Sumathipala, presidents and members of trade associations, local residents, and a large gathering of devotees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division