Prime Minister addresses the International Council for Day of Vesak in Thailand on 1st of June 2023

Most Venerable Professor Phra Brahma-pundit, President of International Council for Day of Vesak, President of International Association of Buddhist Universities, and Member of Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand,

Most Venerable Professor Phra Dham-vajra-bundit, Rector of Maha Chula-long-korn-raja-vidyalaya University

Most Venerable Warakagoda Gnana-rathana Maha Nayaka of Asgiriya chapter of Siyam sector
And Most Venerable Anu Nayaka theros from Sri Lanka

Most Venerable Sangha Raja theros, and Venerable Maha Sangha,

Madam Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP and other UN officials,

Distinguished Gue MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena paid his respects to Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit Thera.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena paid his respects to Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit Thera, Member, Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand President, International Council for Day of Vesak President, International Association of Buddhist Universities, at the Wat Pravurwongsawat Temple in Bangkok duing his visit to Thailand to participate in the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations.

Prime Minister’s Media Division MORE >>

Prime Minister Calls on Thai entrepreneurs to invest in Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena addressed a large forum of Thai businessmen, industrialists and entrepreneurs urging them to invest in Sri Lanka. He pointed out that they should take advantage of tax rebates and access to many markets through Free Trade Agreements to sell their products when they invest in Sri Lanka.

Addressing a forum in which Federation of Thai Industries, Tourism Council of Thailand, BOI of Thailand, International Chamber of Commerce in Thailand and The Thai Chamber of Commerce took part at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok on May 31, he said Sri Lanka seeks mutual investment opportunities as Thailand is long standing friend with strong religious cultural and social bonds.

He pointed out th MORE >>

Sri Lanka renews ties with Thailand...

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena held extensive discussions with Prime Minister of Thailand Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on bilateral relations.

The meeting took place at the Government House in Bangkok during the three-day visit of Prime Minister Gunawardena to Thailand. The visit was to attend the United Nationas Vesak Day celebrations and to discuss strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries and to strengthen trade and investment and religious ties.

Sri Lanka and Thailand have a strong cultural and religious bond because of their shared Buddhist heritage. The Siam Nikaya, which originated in Thailand, is one of the most revered monastic orders in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is Thailand MORE >>

China will always stand for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development – Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sun Weidong said Sri Lanka is a longtime friend of China and his country will always stand by Sri Lanka’s sovereignty as well as for political independence and socioeconomic development.

He stated this when he called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees today (May 30). The Vice Minister assured that China will increase investments in several areas such as agriculture, trade and commerce, ports and infrastructure development in Sri Lanka. He also said China will continue to provide economic assistance as well as support Sri Lanka’s debt-restructuring programme.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the Government of China for the help given a MORE >>

The draft report on the inquiry into the destruction of North-Eastern archaeological sites and interference with conservation activities handed over to the Prime Minister...

The Union of Organizations for the Protection of National Heritage handed over the draft of the investigation commission report on the inquiry into destruction of northern and eastern archaeological sites and interference with conservation activities to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday (26).

Ven Dr Maduruoye Dhammissara Thero, Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, Senior Advocate Kalyananda Thiranagama and others participated in this event on behalf of the Union of Organizations for the Protection of National Heritage.

Prime Minister’s Media Division MORE >>

The more we trust the farmers, the more we will become a self-sufficient country. - Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The minister stated this on 27.05.2024 at the time of laying the foundation stone of Chaityarajaya Purana Raja Maha Vihara, Wariyapola, Nuwara Kanda.

The Prime Minister said in his speech -

This historical land is a land where the foundation of civilization was built in the history of our country.

Arahath Mahinda brought the light of Buddhism to a civilized nation and gave a great gift to the village.

During the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, coming to build the first capital of Sirilaka and as a result of the various discussions the king had with Dambadiva. To mark that, on the sacred Poson day next week will be engaged in religious activities in every temple in the country, comm MORE >>

Take immediate steps to prevent the spread of dengue... - Instructions from the Prime Minister to the Governors

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena advised the Provincial Governors to take urgent measures to prevent the spread of dengue with the intervention of all the relevant authorities. He said this at a discussion held at Temple Trees today (25) to review the progress of dengue control programs.

The discussion was held with the participation of Governors, Provincial Council Secretaries, Provincial Government Commissioners and Provincial Health Service Directors through Zoom technology and the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of collecting information about the spread of dengue in their jurisdictions and taking measures to control the disease since priority should be given to preventing the spread of the disease through the c MORE >>

Saemaul Foundation projects immensely helpful for rural upliftment - Prime Minister

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena thanked the Saemaul Foundation of Korea for expanding its rural infrastructure and livelihood development projects after the successful implementation of two pilot projects in Sabaragamuwa district. “These efforts have inspired our villagers to speed up their drive to uplift the rural economy,” he said.

The President of Saemaul Foundation Lee Seung Jong, Governor, Gyeongsangbuk-do province, the head of the grant aid supporting body, Korea and the President of Gyambuk Art & Cultural Foundation, Koo Yum Cheol and senior officials of the two Foundation called on Prime Minister at the PM’s Office in Temple Trees today.

A Memorandum of Understanding for expansion of Saema MORE >>

“Expedite the draft to strengthen the Western Cooperative Charter”... - Prime Minister

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena questioned the Western Provincial Cooperative Officers if it is fair to auction off the property that the members have sustained for a long time without taking the necessary measures to recover the cooperative system when it fails. He mentioned this in a discussion regarding the problems faced by the cooperative societies in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara Districts of the Western Province and providing prompt solutions to those issues held at Temple Trees on 22.05.2023.

The Prime Minister informed the Western Province Governor as well as the relevant officials that when there is an economic crisis in the country, the government officials should act accordingly find remedies and that the prel MORE >>

Prime Minister opens travel & tourism fair

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena inaugurate the 10th edition of ’Sancharaka Udawa 2023’, Sri Lanka’s largest Travel and Tourism Fair at te Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exposition Center at the BMICH in Colombo today (May 19).

Organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), Sancharaka Udawa is a platform for mega operators in the hospitality industry as well as for small and medium scale service providers in the industry to network and build links with tour operators and enter the wider spectrum of the tourism industry. The 2-day fair will provide an opportunity for those less exposed, entrepreneurs in the Tourism Industry to meet with all stakeholders in mainstream tourism.
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On the passing away of Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Maha Nayake Thera

The passing away of Mahanayake of Sri Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Chief Incumbent of Kalapaluwa Sri Gotama Tapowanaya and its centers, Mahawihara Vamsalankara Sasana Vibhushan, Amarapura Ganapamokkhacharya, Kalyaniwamsa Keerthi Sri Vangeesawashalankara Vipassana Kammattanacharya, Mahamahopadhyaya, Aggamaha Pandita, Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Mahanayaka Thera who played an unparalleled role in uplifting Sri Lankan Sambuddha Sasana, will be a great loss that is hard to be replaced.

Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Maha Nayake Thera has been involved in socializing many social, religious and cultural values. After receiving his basic education from Dodampahala Central College, he entered Matara Weeraba Pirivena and Galle V MORE >>

Canada and Sri Lanka to expand cooperation in education, skills development and agriculture

Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today (May 17) at the Temple Trees in Colombo.

They held discussions on the bilateral relations between the two countries and the ways and means of expanding development cooperation between the two countries.

The Prime Minister said that he is thankful for Canada’s support to Sri Lanka since the past for the development of railways and establishing Hardy Advanced technological Institute in Ampara to produce skilled technicians for Sri Lanka. He urged the Canadian government to consider the proposal to upgrade the Hardy Institute to a degree-awarding technological university.

He briefed the High Commissioner ab MORE >>

Governor of Yunnan Province eager to develop cooperation with Sri Lanka

Governor of Yunnan Province Wang Yubo called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to explore ways and means of establishing close cooperation between Yunnan and Sri Lanka. During a luncheon meeting at the Temple Trees today (May 17), they discussed potential of collaboration in trade, tourism, agriculture, technology and investments.

Mr Wang Yubo, who was accompanied by a top level delegation of Yunnan Provincial Government expressed interest in assisting Sri Lanka in education and technical skill development. He said Yunnan Province with a population of 50 million and a GDP of 417 billion USD in 2022 is in a position to help friendly nations like Sri Lanka.

The Governor held a field study at Port City Colombo MORE >>

Prime Minister initiates steps to enlist the song "Danno Budunge Sri Dharmaskandha" a national heritage....

As per the opinion and instruction of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, a committee was appointed to enlist the song “Danno Budunge Sri Dharmaskandha” as a national heritage based on its uniqueness. The Cabinet Memorandum submitted as per the committee decisions was approved on 08.05.2023.

As a song that has continued to influence the nation’s thoughts and aesthetic values for more than a century, “Danno Budunge Sri Dharmaskandha” has become popular since time immemorial. This song, which has been used continuously to express national pride and historical consciousness, can be considered as a key factor in the study of local genre of music and it will be an inspiration to the musicians of this country.
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