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PM invites everyone to usher in post-pandemic new era

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/17

By Saman Indrajith

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa called on all parties in Parliament to join hands with the government to usher in a new era.

Participating in the second-reading-stage debate on Budget 2022, the Premier said that the government had decided to increase investment in developing social infrastructure despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“We are passing through trying times and the country’s public financial sector faces numerous challenges. However, we have decided to steer ahead despite challenges. We have given jobs to 60,000 unemployed graduates. With the intention of eliminating poverty, 100,000 jobs have been given to the youth from the low-income earning families. The government spends around 3.5 billion rupees a month to pay the salaries of newly recruited. We have taken every action needed to save the lives of the people from the pandemic,” the Prime Minister said.

He said: “In the recent past, we have had to face many challenges in terms of public finance. Nevertheless, we look forward to continuing to revive the economy and facilitate growth as expected in the years to come.

“The foreign sector of our economy is facing challenges due to the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic but the Government and the Central Bank are taking steps to secure foreign exchange inflows in the future to improve foreign exchange reserves, liquidity and ease pressure on the rupee, ‘’ the Prime Minister said. Furthermore, he said that with the resumption of the global tourism industry, significant positive growth is expected in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry in the future.

“Whilst stating that the Government was working with the Central Bank to promote foreign employment and attract remittances to the banking system, the Prime Minister also stated that Government is also pleased with the recent announcement by the Central Bank of its ‘Six Month Vision to Ensure Macroeconomic and Financial Systems Sustainability’ aimed at further enhancing the confidence of all stakeholders in the economy, including short-term strategic plans to strengthen the stability of the foreign sector.

“We know that the economy is going through a challenging period. We are confident that the progressive proposals made in this Budget will strengthen the economy in the years to come and beyond. Our Futuristic Plans are clearly stated in the policy implemented under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

He said the government had continued to implement the policies of the ‘Prosperity Vision’, even within the limited fiscal space.

“This Budget has given good support to the implementation of people centered social and economic policies that benefit all. I urge all to join hands with the Sustainable Solutions Program that we are implementing to overcome the challenges facing the country and contribute to the progress of the country.” he said.

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Children should gain experience through activities such as aesthetics and sports from the primary education stage – PM

Published

8 mins ago

2026/06/20

Priyan

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that if Sri Lanka is to nurture the future leaders, children must be exposed from the primary education itself to the experiences and values gained through fields such as aesthetics and sports.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the “Punchi Hapannu 2026” occasion to recognize and appreciate the winners of the Primary Literary Skills, held on Thursday [8 June]at Polpithigama National School during an educational inspection tour in the Kurunegala District.

The event was organized to recognize the winners of the “Punchi Hapannu 2026” Language and Literary Skills Competition, which was conducted with the participation of students from 49 primary schools in the Polpithigama Education Division, based on a concept initiated by the Divisional Director of Education. The occasion was further featured by aesthetic performances presented by students who had won across 17 different competition categories.

During the event, certificates were awarded to the winners by the Prime Minister.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister further stated:

“The initiative undertaken within the Polpithigama Education Division is an example for the entire country. Primary education is a broad and multifaceted field. The foundation provided through primary education is important in guiding a child along the right path. A child has only one opportunity in life to experience primary education, and it is our responsibility to ensure that this opportunity is provided in the most appropriate way.

Today, we witnessed how effectively the children of the Polpithigama Education Division utilized the opportunity given to them to creatively showcase their aesthetic talents. Likewise, we are striving to build an education system that provides opportunities for children across Sri Lanka to develop their hidden talents”.

Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister visited Makulpotha Maha Vidyalaya in the Polpithigama Education Division and layed the foundation-stone for a new two-storey school building.

The construction project, implemented with an investment of Rs. 45 million, is scheduled to be completed in 2026 and handed over for students in January 2027.

The event was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Kurunegala District Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath, education officials of the North Western Province, parents, principals, and several other invitees.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Inaugural session of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya Student Parliament held at the Presidential Secretariat

Published

22 mins ago

2026/06/20

Priyan

The inaugural session of the Student Parliament of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo, was held on Friday (19) morning at the Old Parliament Chamber of the Presidential Secretariat.

The event was organised under the ‘Vision’ programme series, a joint initiative of the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya was selected to participate in this programme as part of the initiative.

During the event, Deputy Chairperson of Committees of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Hemali Weerasekara, addressed the students on leadership, personality development and parliamentary traditions.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, explained the role of the President’s Fund and highlighted the programmes implemented for the benefit of school students.

Senior Presidential Adviser on Science and Technology, Professor Gomika Udugamasooriya, emphasised that life’s challenges can be overcome by critically examining every experience. He also highlighted the importance of encouraging children, from their school years onward, to explore diverse fields beyond a single subject area and to develop an innovative mindset through experimentation and discovery.

Among those present were Director General of Public Relations to the President, Dharmasiri Gamage, Director (Communications) of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Samantha Mallawarachchi, Deputy Director (Administration) of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Chintha Madhubhashini, Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit at the Presidential Secretariat, Air Commodore Asiri Gallage; Assistant Director Lieutenant Colonel Nadeeka Dangolla; Principal of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Dr. Sumedha Jayaweera; Principal of Ananda College, Colombo, D. M. Lal Dissanayake; as well as teachers, parents and students.

(PMD)

News

ICC Chairman Meets President

Published

28 mins ago

2026/06/20

Priyan

A meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), was held on Friday (19) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat.