News
Victory against terror belongs to all Sri Lankans: PM
By Saman Indrajith
None of those who fought to defeat terrorism had any intention to harm civilians, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday.
Making a special statement to mark the 12th anniversary of the conclusion of the war, the Prime Minister said: “None including former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the then Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda or former Air Force Commander Roshan Goonetillake led their men to the field to commit genocide.
“Our valiant troops fought with a group of terrorists who used children, mothers and fathers as a human shield. Our objective was to protect those innocents while fighting the terrorists. That was one of the most difficult challenges any military chief would face, but our military leaders bravely faced that challenge and accomplished their mission.
“We made the world’s best fighters out of children of families of common men. They fought valiantly and defeated the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world then. After the war we did our utmost to provide for the war heroes and their family members by increasing their salaries and allowances and looking after their welfare.
“I still recall the day 12 years back how people all over the country took to the streets waving the national flag to mark the end of the war that ravaged this country for 30 years.
It is not a victory for one community against another. That was a victory of the entire nation. We saved the lives of over 400,000 people used as a human shield by the terrorists.
With that victory we ended that miserable practice that those people used to leave their homes, fields and cattle once or twice a year to streets of jungles only clutching their clothes and food as the LTTE carried out massacres. We ended the era where people of the north lived the life of displaced persons.
The victory enabled people of the East who had lived around 20 years in refugee shelters to return to their villages. That victory ended the fear of people living in remote areas who were frightened that the LTTE might come at night and smash their infants on the floor.”
It was on this day 12 years back that we ushered in peace. That victory ended the period where parents guarded schools for the safety of their children, fearing terrorist attacks.
This victory belongs to all communities.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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