Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Sermon on the Bak Poya Day was delivered by;

Rathanajothi Vansalankara Saddharma Wageeswara Shasthra Visharada Panditha Mahopadyaya Most Ven. Nikapotha Chandrahothi Thera, acting Maha Nayaka of Udarata Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Chief Incumbent of Sri Gnanananda Buddhust Centre, Madiwela, Kotte, and Sri Subhadrarama Piriven Maha Viharaya, Nikapotha, Haputhale and Hon. Chairman of Maharagama Sasanarakshaka Balamandalaya. MORE >>

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the rice distribution program for the beneficiary families that belong to the Colombo Divisional Secretariat division was held on 22.04.2024 at Sri Wickramarama, Mattakkuliya, symbolizing the national program of providing rice to low income-earning families.

The Prime Minister addressing the event commented ...

"The necessary environment is being created to build a future where the people and children of Colombo can live confidently. As the first step, we have started programs to ensure their food safety."

Colombo District Secretary Mr. K.A. Wijesiri mentioned that...

"Under this program, implemented nationwide at the Grama MORE >>

The Prime Minister mentioned this today (22.04.2024) at the Dehiowita Divisional Secretariat, participating in a programme for distribution of incubators with the view of strengthening the rural economy and uplifting small scale poultry farm owners.

The Prime Minister at the event commented that –

“This support received from People’s Republic of China is distributed to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions all over the island. Additionally, we have been able to work on many other special projects. It is important to move towards a targeted development effort that integrates the Local Government, Public Administration and Divisional Secretariats.

We have seen many countries in the world w MORE >>

The Prime Minister mentioned that the stamp duty on official affairs should be abolished, at Maharagama Pragathipura on 21.04.2024, while participating for the government’s new programme of distributing rice to low-income earners.

Speaking on this occasion the Prime Minister stated that

"The current government is taking steps to provide rice to the low-income earners who are suffering from various problems and to every family that is suffering from various health problems in every Divisional Secretariat through the subsidy program that is starting from today. The sole objective of the government is to feed the people of low- income families and their children with at least helping of one meal.
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The eulogy given by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, when the last rites of Dr A. T. Ariyaratne, the founder of »Sarvodaya’ were performed with state honours at the Independence Square, Colombo on 20.04.2024 -

"The demise of Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, whom we remember with respect, has left a huge gap in the nation.

Everyone all over the country as well as internationally has united to share this grief.

Mr. A.T. Ariyaratne is receiving the state honours today as a result of the uniqueness of his life.

Mr. Ariyaratne’s life was completely committed to the welfare of the people. The mission he accomplished to bring happiness to the lives of the people who were sufferin MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the establishment of gunpowder warehouses in villages despite public protest is unacceptable.

The Prime Minister expressed these views while attending the Sitawaka Pradesheeya Coordinating Committee meeting. The Prime Minister further commented that the proposal presented to the Sitawaka Coordination Committee to establish a warehouse for gunpowder and explosives used for stone quarrying which had been stored in several police stations in Hanwella, Diddeniya villages cannot be approved. The Prime Minister said that such activities should not be carried out as the storage of explosives in areas where people live can create unnecessary fear and disturbance among the public. Also, reg MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena mentioned this when the Maharagama Divisional Coordination Committee met on 18.04.2024 under his Chairmanship.

The Prime Minister said that special business activities took place in Pamunwa and Maharagama areas during the New Year season and that he thanks all the businessmen who engaged in successful business activities as well as the police and other parties for maintaining the peace and creating a reliable environment in the Pamunwa market and Maharagama city for trading.

The Prime Minister commented -

"We need everyone’s support and participation to implement the new programme that is being carried out by the President and the government to make the pro MORE >>

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Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, MP Yadamini Gunawardena and officials participated in this event.

Prime Minister’s Media MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena paid his last respects to the remains of Sarvodaya leader Dr A T Ariyaratne at the Sarvodaya Headquarters. He signed the Book of Condolences after sympathising with family members of the late ’ Sarvodaya’ leader.

Addressing the media, Prime Minister stated that Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne is a noble son of Sri Lanka who has implemented an altruistic noble movement based on human virtues throughout the country.

His death is a huge loss for the entire nation, he said adding that the great example he set by going from village to village throughout the country is eternal.

“The exemplary process brought forward with several generations was a new approach not MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena instructed Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Administration and Provisional Councils Pradeep Yasaratne to make arrangements to provide state honours for the funeral of late Dr A T Ariyaratne.

The Prime Minister held a discussion with the President and the officials of Sarvodaya on the funeral arrangements.

Prime Minister’s Media MORE >>

National oil anointing ceremony of Sinhala and Hindu New Year Festival was held today (15) at Wattala Hendala Purana Rajamaha Vihara under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The Ministry of Indigenous Medicine organized this national event and on the auspicious time of 10.17 a.m, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was anointed by Ven Higgoda Chandima Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent of Wattala Hendala Rajamaha Viharaya.

The Maha Sangha anointed the people who attended the state ceremony.

The Prime Minister offered his best wishes to the people for their good health as expected from the oil anointing ceremony.

The Ministry had taken steps to provide Sinhala New Year Alm MORE >>

Sinhala and Hindu New Year or Surya Mangalyaya (Solar Festival) is the greatest cultural festival of Sri Lanka.

Giving priority to auspicious rituals and religious activities, preserving the customary traditions, working together with the same purpose at the same moment in the same auspicious time cannot be seen in the cultures of any other country in the world.

Our ancestors who dealt with nature everyday made it even more realistic in the New Year customs. As their descendants, we do not need to be taught again and again about food security, thrift, self-belonging and unity. What requires is, to implement them.

The service rendered by the farmers to produce food for the country in the face of t MORE >>

Ambassador of Republic of Korea, Ms Miyon Lee called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardna at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo today (April 10) to discuss follow up actions on the decisions taken at the discussions held during the Prime Minister’s visit to Korea last week.

Prime Minister held discussions with Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Duck-soo, Speaker of National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo, Governor of Gyengsangbuk-do Province Lee Cheol-woo and former Secretary General of the United Nation and current President and Chair of Green Growth Institute, Ban Ki-moon.

During these discussions, Korea agreed to increase support to Sri Lanka in several sectors including education, health, renewabl MORE >>

Since the ancient past, the Islamic people have been devotedly practicing their religious rites and rituals during the Ramadan, helping others, and giving exemplary meaning to the cultural and religious diversity of the country.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the active contribution of the Sri Lankan Muslim community to the country’s governance process, business sector, education, various professional fields, and fields of sports and culture.

I further expect the kind commitment and sacrifices made by the Muslim community to achieve extremely difficult goals during this period to continue with added strength in this period significant to you.

Happy Eid-ul-Fitr!
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The Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that remedies will be taken to cope with difficulties faced by elderly artistes. He made these comments while participating in the ceremony held at Temple Trees (08.04.2024) to enrol artistes who have newly applied for the retirement programme for aged artists that is implemented by the Tower Hall Theater Foundation, and presenting them gifts for the New Year.

So far, a monthly retirement allowance of Rs.7,500/- has been given to 102 selected elderly artistes. The Board of Trustees of the Tower Hall Theater Foundation, which has met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Chairman of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, has decided to increase the said allowance to MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that violence is not in their politics, and the government accepted this challenge by committing to a non-violent political victory. He made these comments during the programme for the distribution of incubators with the view of strengthening the rural economy and uplifting small-scale poultry farm owners, held on 07.04.2024 at Mavittara, Piliyandala, at Wilfred Senanayake Stadium, Homagama.

“One and a half years ago, the people of the whole country were very courageous in the face of the economic crisis. We have never thought that the country could face such a crisis in our lifetime. We had heard that our elders faced such a situation during the Second World War. At that time, our pea MORE >>