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 a MORE >>

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 Div MORE >>

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 MORE >>

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 Minist MORE >>

"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 s MORE >>

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.

Prime Minister’s Media Division MORE >>

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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, D MORE >>

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  MORE >>

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.

Prime Minister’s Media Division MORE >>

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 MORE >>

Following the appointment of Mr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala as the Speaker of the Tenth Parliament. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday 21st of November, the Prime Minister highlighted Mr. Ranwala’s qualifications and commitment to public service. His appointment was proposed by Dr. Amarasuriya and supported by Minister Vijitha Herath.

Extending her congratulations, Dr. Amarasuriya said, "I congratulate you on your appointment as the new Speaker of the Tenth Parliament. Your extensive experience and dedication to upholding democratic principles make you exceptionally suited for this role. Your clean political record and consistent advocacy for the people stand as a testament to your integrity."

The Prime Minister  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya officially assumed duties on the 20th November as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education at the ministry.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya expressed her commitment to fostering an educational framework that empowers students and prepares them to become well-rounded citizens capable of leading the country into a new renaissance era.

In her address, the Prime Minister stated, "It is both a privilege and a responsibility to take on this ministerial role in the education sector. Education has been prioritized under the new government’s policies, and we focus to ensure that it is delivered systematically, effectivel MORE >>

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the newly appointed 17th Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, officially took office this afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office on Flower Road. Following her swearing-in earlier today, Dr. Amarasuriya has formally commenced her duties, marking the beginning of her tenure as the country’s Prime Minister.

Prime Minister’s Media Division MORE >>

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. She also took oath as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.

Prime Minister’s Media Division MORE >>

Yesterday (07), British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick and Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri met at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The British High Commissioner commended Sri Lanka for its efforts to boost economic growth, including restructuring its foreign and domestic debt, enforcing the Anti-Corruption Act, and strengthening national security.

The Prime Minister’s Secretary, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, emphasised here that the new government is committed to creating a production-based economy by focusing on improving agriculture as well as developing education and health sectors to ensure food security.

The emphasis was on fostering tourism and creating new oppor MORE >>

Yesterday (07), Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya convened a meeting with senior officials from key government institutions, under the Ministry of Technology, and public sector institutions providing information technology services.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of advancements in science and technology within the ministry and reviewed the ongoing progress of IT services to foster Sri Lanka’s development. Key discussion topics included digitization efforts, the integration of artificial intelligence, and current challenges to IT development in the public sector.

Pradeep Saputantri Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, science, and Technology Ms.Thilaka J MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya recently met with key figures from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), including Mr. Sumathi Dharmawardena, President’s Counsel, the newly appointed Independent Chair of the ICC ACU, and Mr. Alex Marshall, (CBE, QPM) General Manager of Integrity and Human Resources, ICC.

During the discussion, Mr. Alex Marshall noted Sri Lanka’s progress in combating corruption in cricket over the past seven years, emphasizing the importance of player education and strengthening the Ministry of Sports’ Special Investigations.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Andrew Ephgrave, Senior Manager, of ICC ACU Operations; Mr. Vije Bandara, Senior Attorney  MORE >>