Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that he did not believe that the governments should control media. However, media should ensure ethical standards, he said while addressing the gathering at the felicitation of Mr. Kumar Nadesan for conferring Pravasi Bharatiya award - the highest recognition given to a non-Indian by the Government of India.

Folowing are the excerpts from the speech of the Prime Minister;
I am delighted to be present at this occasion when we felicitate a Son of Sri Lanka, who has been awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Overseas Indian Honour).

It has been conferred on our good friend Kumar Nadesan by no lesser person than Indian President Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu herself.< MORE >>

A discussion was held between Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Governors at Temple Trees on 14.03.2023 regarding the future activities and maintenance of 340 Local Government Institutions as the term of office of those institutions ends on March 19th midnight.

Governors Tikiri Kobbekaduwa (Sabaragamuwa), Wasantha Karnagoda (North West), M.J.M. Musammil (Uwa), Mahipala Herath (North Central), Willy Gamage (Southern), Lalith U. Gamage (Central), Anuradha Yahampath (Eastern) Roshan Gunathilake (Western), Jeevan Thyagaraja (Northern), Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Public Administration Secretary Neil Hapuhinna and Prime Minister’s Legal Adviser Dr. Jayatissa de Costa participated in the discuss MORE >>

The Prime Minister held a discussion with Trade Union representatives at the Temple Trees on 14.03.2023.

The Prime Minister speaking at the occasion said that if the heritage of an institution or an organization is deteriorating a little by little, if it is falling apart, those who are working in the organization and in the trade union movement will feel the pain.
“The ministers in charge of the subject should discuss with the trade unions of the respective institutions. Some institutions implement decisions and take actions without any discussion with the trade unions. It not only frustrates the employees but an act detrimental to the existence of the institution. Taking decisions without such discussion is a hindra MORE >>

The Prime Minister stated that even though there are State Counsels and President’s Counsels, no one has come forward to correct the decision of the Crown which betrayed National heroes. He said this while addressing the gathering in the second session of Sankathana Mandapaya – academic discourse at the Temple Trees on 13.03.2023.

The key note lecture on "Udarata Rebellion and Mauritius Prisoners" was delivered by the Director General of the Department of Archeology, Prof. Anura Manatunga.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena highlighted that the most devastating effect of the proclamation issued against our National Heroes who were arrested that time was that the British rulers took over the entire lands  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has extended congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping for third tenure in Office. In his congratulatory message, the Prime Minister has stated that he hopes to continue working with the Chinese government to further strengthen the close friendship and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka. He has expressed his confidence that the new tenure will be for the benefit of citizens of the country and the world. Prime Minister’s congratulatory message is as follows.

His Excellency Xi Jinping
President of the People’s Republic of China

Excellency,

Please accept my warmest congratulations on your appointment as President of the People’ MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said in today’s digital world, a digital hub is an essential resource base for students to have access to modern knowledge. Opening the new Digital Hub at the BMS, premier university on business management, he said the move by BMS to set up its Digital Hub to connect all those involved in learning to a common net is timely and in line with the government policy.

“Like the income divide between the rich and the poor countries, there is a digital divide also between them. This need not be the case. The government has taken effective action to eliminate this divide by improving the digital literacy of fellow Sri Lankans. It is a difficult path but not an impossible one. The government e MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said with success in financial negotiations Sri Lankans have just proven we are even more capable of transforming more global crisis into greater opportunities.

Addressing the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) in Colombo on Friday (10), he said as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka applaud all of you at the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs for being here today, in this very moment.

“In the current given context, rather in a total crisis, most of you could have been well away anywhere else in the world, but no, you are here right now showing so much love and confidence towards our Motherland Sri Lanka, and running chosen businesses and industries helping the country MORE >>

The Prime Minister mentioned that the woman who makes use of new technology can efficiently contribute to the national produce. He said at a function International Women’s Day held in appreciation of the women working in the Prime Minister’s Office today (08) .

The following are excerpts from the speech delivered by the Prime Minister. A large number of women hold many responsibilities in the Prime Minister’s Office in various capacities.

The Prime Minister’s office implements various programs for the benefit of the country and the people. At this time, it is special to come together as the Prime Minister’s Office to strengthen the main theme of International Women’s Day 2023 “DigitALL: Innovation MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena called upon the state and private banks to provide new incentives to attract women to the formal banking sector. Addressing the top executives of all public and private banks at the Temple Trees today (March 7) he pointed out attracting women to the formal banking sector would help to strengthen women’s role in the economy and it would also help them to be free from informal lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates and exploit women.

Senior officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said once a new attractive scheme is announced the CBSL could address the issue of fiscal security and collateral requirements to speedily implement the scheme. International Finance Corporation (IFC) MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena opened the Medicare – National Healthcare Exhibition, Sri Lanka’s biggest healthcare exhibition at the BMICH today (March 3).

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, State Minister Sisira Jayakody, former Minister A H M Fouzie and Rajitha Senaratne, Health Secretary J C Chandragupta and Medicare President Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva were present on this occasion. MORE >>

Tha Mahasangha recited pirith to invoke blessings on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on his 74th birthday at Temple Trees this morning.

The Prime Minister gave food and gifts to students of St Paul’s School, Milagiriya today. Later he offered Dana to the Mahasangha at Thapovanaya in Rajagiriya and provided lunch to Helpage old age home at Rathmalana and Thisarana old age home at Kottawa.

He visited Dharmayathanaya on Bauddhaloka Mawatha and obtained blessings from Ven. Elle Gunawansha Nayake Thera. MORE >>

The Temple of the Tooth –Relic which was built near the Palace of King Parakramabahu VI in the kingdom of Kotte, had been ruined due to foreign invasions, relocation of the Relics and thus the administration to Kandy.

Reconstruction of the Temple of the Tooth Relic Kotte has been commenced with the patronage of Kotte Raja Maha Viharadhipati Ven. Aluthnuwara Anuruddha Thera.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena visited Kotte Rajamaha Vihara today (02) to observe the plans of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to be estorted.

Yadamini Gunawardena MP, Isura Devapriya former Chief Minister of Western Province, Upali Kodikara and Salochana Gamage former municipamo council members and a large gatherin MORE >>

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Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Dewi Gustina Tobing said her country would like to finalise a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Sri Lanka to facilitate bilateral trade between the two countries. The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Tuesday (28) to discuss issues including enhancing cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment, and tourism.

The Ambassador said Exim Bank Indonesia has agreed to grant credit facilities for bilateral trade and the Asian Development Bank has guaranteed 85% of the credit and remaining portion will have to be guaranteed by Sri Lanka. Several pharmaceutical companies are willing to export essential medicines to Sri Lanka under that c MORE >>

Commader of the Pakistan Navy Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees on February 27.

During the discussions, the Prime Minister thanked Pakistan for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the armed conflict as well as at the international forums. He also emphasized on enhancing maritime regional cooperation between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, alongside exploring opportunities for the further expansion of maritime activities between the two nations.

The Prime Minister briefed him on Sri Lanka’s interest in maritime peace and security, being a maritime hub located in close proximity to international sea lanes. Pakistani Navy Commander said his country e MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that administrative reforms are important not only to promote productivity or to combat corruption, but more importantly to eliminate waste, idling and duplication which has been the bane of our country. He said this while delivering the keynote address at the Inaugural Launch of Sri Lanka Innovators’ Forum at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall on Friday (24).

This inaugural launch of Sri Lanka Innovators’ Forum was organized by the Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF) which was established using the personal wealth of Gamani Corea to support the country’s policy making and management system, through objective research and capacity building.

In his speech t MORE >>

Furthermore there has not been any request or pressure from any quarters for the Prime Minister to resign.

These false reports are aimed at causing difficulties to the government plans and programmes.

Lalith Rohana Liyanage
Prime Minister Media Secretary MORE >>

A group of leading members of the Bohra community of Sri Lanka called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to express gratitude for the cooperation extended to Bohra centers and international conventions.

They briefed the Prime Minister about the religious and welfare activities of their centers. They also said the Bohra spiritual leader and 53rd Da’i al-Mutlaq, Mufaddal Saifuddin wish to meet the Prime Minister during the visit to Sri Lanka in March 2023.

Yadamini Gunawardena MP joined the Prime Minister at the occasion and the group included Yusuf Huzein, Abdeali Khuzema, Fakhrudeen and Mustafa Yusufally. MORE >>