Ms. Hannan Sulieman, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday (November 26).

The Deputy Executive Director revisited key issues discussed in prior engagements, including child protection, malnutrition, and education.

Mr. Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director for UNICEF South Asia, Mr. Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka, and Ms. Yuko Kusamichi, Regional Chief of Operations, attended the meeting. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Mahinda Gunarathna, Additional Secretary (Development), and Ms. Dilini Gunasekera, Director for UN & Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Mr. David Sislen, Regional Country Director, World Bank for Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday (November 26)

Mr. Sislen engaged in discussions focused on the ongoing Debt Restructuring process, Sri Lanka’s Social Protection policy, government’s commitment to climate change mitigation & closing the gender pay gap.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager for Maldives and Sri Lanka at the World Bank, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Mahinda Gunaratna, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Himali Bogodagedara, Director of the World Bank & IMF Division, Department of External Resources, Mr. Ranjith Gurusinghe, Deputy Director at the Department of External Resources, and Ms. Buddhika Wimalasena, Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Yesterday (November 26), Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya received several ambassadors in courtesy calls at the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighting Sri Lanka’s strong diplomatic ties and fostering cooperation on various fronts.

His Excellency Adel Ibrahim, Ambassador of Egypt to Sri Lanka; His Excellency Dr. Alireza Delkhosh, Ambassador of Iran to Sri Lanka; His Excellency ISOMATA Akio, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka; and His Eminence Archbishop Monsignor Brian Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican to Sri Lanka, met with the Prime Minister to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.

Each meeting was attended by senior representatives from the respective embassies and Sri Lankan government officials, including Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister. These discussions underscored Sri Lanka’s commitment to fostering diplomatic relationships while advancing mutual interests.

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Colombo, Sri Lanka – November 26, 2024

The “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign was officially inaugurated yesterday, November 25, 2024, with a national event held at Town Hall , Colombo. This year’s campaign, themed “Towards a GBV-Free Sri Lanka: Safe Public Spaces for All”, commenced with a keynote address by the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government representatives, development partners, diplomats, civil society activists, and the media, united in their commitment to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) and create safe, inclusive public spaces in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister underscored the government’s commitment to addressing GBV through multi-sectoral collaboration and policy enforcement. She emphasized the importance of collective action, stating "Our vision for a GBV-free Sri Lanka begins with safe public spaces for all citizens. This campaign is not just symbolic—it is a call to action for every stakeholder to take concrete steps to eliminate gender-based violence."

A highlight of the event was the awareness walk from Independence Square to the Colombo Municipal Council, where participants carried banners and placards bearing powerful thematic messages. The walk symbolized solidarity and reinforced the urgent need for safer public spaces.

Key stakeholders, including representatives from the government, private sector, and civil society, took a collective pledge to adopt and implement zero-tolerance policies against GBV, reaffirming their dedication to the campaign’s goals. The Colombo Municipal Council building was illuminated in orange to mark the official start of the 16 Days of Activism, serving as a vibrant reminder of the country’s commitment to ending GBV.

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"If we are to restore the Parliament as a supreme institution, which has faced public scorn and disapproval in the past, we must act with the awareness that we are the representatives of the people," stated Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during the inaugural session of the awareness workshop on parliamentary procedures for new members of the Tenth Parliament, held this morning (25).

In her address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya congratulated the newly elected members of Parliament, stating:

"I extend my congratulations to all of you who have been elected to serve as members of the Tenth Parliament. This Parliament holds a historic and special significance. We must approach our duties with a profound understanding of the responsibilities this institution entails.

This Parliament is historic for several reasons. Notably, 22 female MPs have been elected, marking the highest representation of women in our parliamentary history. Furthermore, 162 out of the 225 MPs are newly elected members. This remarkable turnover reflects the public’s sentiment and the rejection of previous parliamentary practices.

The people of our country, who are politically mature, have sent a strong message through the general election. All MPs, irrespective of their positions, must recognize that they are first and foremost representatives of the people. Whether holding ministerial or deputy ministerial positions, we must prioritize the hopes and trust placed in us by the citizens. The disapproval of Parliament in recent years can only be reversed if we collectively work to meet the people’s expectations and uphold their aspirations.

This Parliament must serve as a turning point in our political practice, and this workshop plays a crucial role in equipping us to innovate parliamentary procedures while preserving its traditions."

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala, Deputy Speaker Dr. Mohamed Rizvi Salley, Deputy Committee Chairman Hemalee Weerasekara, Leader of the House Minister Bimal Ratnayake, Chief Organizer of the Government Party Minister Dr. Nalin Nalinda Jayatissa, newly elected public representatives, the Secretary General of Parliament, Deputy Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, and other dignitaries were in attendance at this event.

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In exercise of the powers vested in the Minister by Section 20 (4) (b) of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, has appointed Senior Professor R.M.U.S.K. Ratnayake as the Competent Authority to continue the administrative activities of the University of Ruhuna, in place of the Vice-Chancellor, with effect from 25th of November 2024.

The relevant Gazette is enclosed herewith.

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Ms.Sun Haiyan, deputy minister of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party (IDCPC), paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Temple Trees in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from the International Liaison Department of the CPC, along with H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, and officials from the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka.

Representing Sri Lanka, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Paulraj, Hemali Weerasekara, Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Committees, Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Member of Parliament, as well as Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Ms. Ruwanthi Delpitiya, Director General East Asia from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting.

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Vocational education should be a respected choice, offering a clear pathway from school to higher education while contributing directly to the economy,” stated Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. She emphasized the important role of vocational education during the official commencement of duties by Mr. Nalin Hevage, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, at Nipunatha Piyasa, Narahenpita.

Highlighting education as a priority for the government, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of integrating school education, higher education, and vocational education as interconnected components of the education system. She called for a shift in societal attitudes, noting that vocational education must no longer be viewed as a secondary option but as a prestigious pathway to a bright future and economic growth. Institutional and structural reforms, are essential to achieving the government’s vision for education, she further added.

Deputy Minister Nalin Hevage affirmed his commitment to advancing the government’s education agenda, stating, “As beneficiaries of free education, we are tasked with a significant responsibility to serve society and fulfill the trust placed in us by the people.”

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Prime Minister’s Secretary Mr. Pradeep Saputantri, Secretary of the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, and other senior officials and heads of affiliated institutions.

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Dr. Madura Seneviratne, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, officially commenced his duties today (22nd) at the Ministry of Higher Education in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, along with ministry officials and heads of affiliated institutions.

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Nalin Hewage, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, highlighted the essential role of government officials in supporting the responsibilities entrusted to the government by the people.

Deputy Minister Hewage officially assumed his duties today (22nd) in a ceremony held at the Nipunatha Piyasa in Narahenpita, with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presiding over the event.

In his address, Deputy Minister Hewage stated, "We are all beneficiaries of free education. It is now our collective duty to ensure that government officials provide their full support to the government that has earned the trust of the people. Your commitment is vital, not only for the government but also for the betterment of society. We are holding a significant responsibility, and we must work collaboratively to fulfill it effectively."

The event was attended by Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education; Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education; as well as ministry officials and heads of affiliated institutions.

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