Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that in order to ensure the economic, social, and cultural security of the country, it is essential to develop a quality human resource, and that education plays a vital role in achieving this goal.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is committed to bring about a transformation in the education sector, and that the government will continue to move forward by overcoming obstacles encountered along the way, guided by a clear vision and purpose.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the EDCS Sisu Nena Pranama scholarship award ceremony held on Saturday (31) at Temple Trees, organized to recognize the children of the members of the Education Co-operative Society (EDCS) who have been selected to state universities for the academic year2023/2024.

Elaborating further, the Prime Minister noted that this program, organized by the Education Service Employees–  Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society Ltd, is not merely about providing scholarships, but is an occasion that recognizes and appreciates the dedication of students and their parents who are preparing to shoulder the responsibility of the country’s future.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that it is a remarkable achievement that a society which began in 1930 with just 58 members and a membership fee of one rupee has today grown into the largest cooperative society in South Asia, with approximately 215,000 members.

The Prime Minister further highlighted how rapidly the world is changing, and the increasing necessity of developing human resources in the face of economic and environmental crises. She stressed that the education system must be transformed from the level of school education itself to align with the demands of the modern world, and that students entering universities should become leaders and active participants in this transformation.

Noting that out of nearly 300,000 students who enter primary education each year, only about 40,000 gain admission to universities, the Prime Minister urged students to make use of this opportunity for the development of the country.

Addressing the occasion, Deputy Minister of Labour and General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Service Union,  Mahinda Jayasinghe, stated that due to corruption-free management, it was possible to increase the financial stability of the society from Rs. 1,200 million to Rs. 1,700 million within a short period of approximately nine months.

Under this year’s program, scholarships amount to over Rs. 13.7 million were awarded to 2,292 students who have been selected to state universities.

This scholarship program, which initiated in 1984 with 15 students and an initial fund of Rs. 3,500, has been conducted continuously for 41 years. At present, scholarships of up to a maximum of Rs. 75,000 per student are awarded, demonstrating the collective strength and solidarity of the teaching community.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Education Development Cooperative Society,  Lal Kumara, the Western Province Director of Education, Darshani Iddamalgoda, along with other officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Sri Lanka earned international recognition at the 41st Mrs. World pageant, with Sabina Yousaf being named Second Runner-Up, marking a notable achievement for the country at the prestigious global competition.

In addition to securing a top-three finish, Yousaf also won the Mrs. Photogenic mini-title and placed among the Top 20 contestants, underscoring her strong performance on the international stage.

The Mrs. World 2025 crown was won by Chanita Seedaket Craythorne of Thailand, while Paige Ewing of the United States was declared First Runner-Up.

The grand finale was held on 29 January in Las Vegas, Nevada, and featured contestants from more than 60 countries competing for the coveted title.

The announcement of the Top Three finalists placed Sri Lanka alongside leading global pageant contenders, reinforcing the country’s growing presence in international pageantry.

Final Results – Mrs. World 2025:

Winner: Thailand – Chanita Seedaket Craythorne

First Runner-Up: United States – Paige Ewing

Second Runner-Up: Sri Lanka – Sabina Yousaf

The Government of the Republic of Korea has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka to support Sri Lanka in addressing its growing waste management challenges, with funding of USD 4.7 million for a new initiative.

The project, titled “Scale-up and Sustain the Low-Carbon Municipal Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery in Sri Lanka,” is funded by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment of the Republic of Korea through the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI).

It will be implemented by UNDP Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

According to a statement issued by UNDP, the initiative aims to promote sustainable, low-carbon and locally appropriate solutions to transform municipal solid waste management systems in two selected local authorities within the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces.

A symbolic signing ceremony was held on Friday with the participation of S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Miyon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka; and Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP Sri Lanka, along with representatives of partner institutions.Sri Lanka currently generates more than 10,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste per day. However, only about half of this waste is collected, while only a small fraction is properly treated.

The remainder is often dumped or burned in open sites, creating serious environmental, public health and social risks.

Previous waste management interventions have faced persistent challenges, including unsuitable technologies, financial and institutional limitations, and inadequate community participation. The waste sector has also been severely affected by climate change and natural disasters, as observed during the recent Cyclone Ditwah and floods, which overwhelmed the capacities of local authorities and exposed vulnerable communities engaged in waste-related activities.

Emphasizing the importance of advancing sustainable waste management, Secretary S. Aloka Bandara, Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government stated that strengthening municipal solid waste management is a key national priority. He noted that the project represents a major step forward in translating policy into action by building environmentally responsible, locally grounded systems capable of delivering long-term benefits for communities, public health and environmental protection, the statement stated.

The project seeks to overcome existing barriers by strengthening decentralized waste management systems within local authority jurisdictions, thereby avoiding the logistical, social and financial challenges associated with transporting waste across administrative boundaries.

UNDP Sri Lanka will lead the implementation in close coordination with provincial and local government institutions, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, local authorities, private sector partners and Korean technical agencies.

Addressing Korea’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s sustainable development and climate initiatives, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Miyon Lee welcomed the launch of the project and expressed confidence in its successful implementation. She reaffirmed Korea’s willingness to share its advanced technology, expertise and resources to help establish an effective and sustainable solid waste management system across four provinces.

Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, UNDP Sri Lanka Resident Representative Azusa Kubota stated that the project comes at a critical moment for the country. She noted that, with KEITI’s support, the programme will introduce environmentally sound, climate-resilient and disaster-proofed solutions that are also economically viable and socially inclusive, while creating green jobs and strengthening institutional resilience.

Environment Adviser Rhyunmin Park of the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub also expressed his commitment to collaborating through the project to support the foundation of sustainable waste management systems across the Asia-Pacific region.

Under the initiative, strategic waste management plans will be developed in four provinces namely the Northwestern, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern. In addition, demonstration projects will be implemented at the Gampola and Balangoda Urban Councils, the statement said.

In Gampola, an anaerobic digestion plant and pyrolysis technology will be introduced, with an estimated reduction of 168,630 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions over a ten-year period. In Balangoda, vermicomposting and pyrolysis technologies will be applied, with an expected reduction of 100,740 metric tons of emissions.

Further underscoring Korea’s support, Eunhae Jung, Director General of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment of the Republic of Korea, stated that the project reflects Korea’s commitment to advancing global climate action through practical and scalable solutions. She noted that beyond emission reductions, the initiative empowers local governments and communities to take leadership in sustainable waste management and by sharing this expertise and innovative technologies, they hope the progress made here will serve as a model for other countries.