News
Around 35,000 students visit the President’s House in the last two years
Over the past two years, approximately 35,000 schoolchildren have been given the opportunity to visit the President’s House, the Presidential Secretariat in the Old Parliament Building, Port City, the Central Bank, the Parliament, and the Lotus Tower.
This initiative was launched on the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and facilitated by the Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake. The Tri-Force Security Coordination Office of the Presidential secretariat coordinated the visits. The program was a collaborative effort involving the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Education, and the National Youth Services Council.
During the educational field trip, students were able to view documentaries and artefacts that highlight significant milestones in Sri Lanka’s democratic history. They also had the unique opportunity to interact with the President, the Secretary to the President and Chief of the Presidential Staff and Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Sagala Ratnayaka.
Students from over 160 schools across the island, including those from remote areas , have joined this field trip, and the program is on-going.
Additionally, at the President’s invitation, several sessions of the Student Parliament and Youth Parliament have been held in the Chamber Hall of the Old Parliament, located in the Presidential Secretariat. The goal is to enhance students’ leadership skills by giving them a deeper understanding of the state governance system.
The session was chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, with Speaker to the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, several Ministers, the Secretary General of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, and Parliament staff also participated.
Lectures were conducted to educate students on the themes of administration and the roles within government.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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