The annual Aadi Vel festival of the New Kathiresan Kovil passed in front of Temple Trees in the afternoon of 28 July. The Prime Minister participated in the religious ceremony by offering a pooja tray during its street procession on behalf of the Prime Minister’s office.

Following a customary drum procession that escorted the Prime Minister from Temple Trees to the Vel chariot, she offered a Pooja tray to the sacred Silver chariot (Ther) carrying the Lord Murugan and received blessings.

Subsequently, the organising committee of the Vel Procession expressed their appreciation for the Prime Minister by presenting her with a floral garland and a ceremonial shawl.

The annual Aadi Vel Festival and Chariot Procession, jointly organised by the New Kathiresan Kovil of Chetty Street, Colombo, and the Nattukkottai Nagarathar New Kathiresan Kovil, Bambalapitiya, has been held continuously since 1874. This year’s event marked the 152nd Vel Procession.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that regardless of the extent of physical development achieved, the true progress and the development of a nation is measured by the values, discipline, and spiritual growth of its people.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the unveiling ceremony of the newly constructed metal Samadhi Buddha Statue at the historic Kongoda Sri Gangarama Purana Maha Viharaya in Remunagoda, Kalutara South, on July 28.

The metal Samadhi Buddha Statue was ceremonially unveiled by the Most Venerable Malegoda Nanda Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Sri Pushparama Maha Vihara of Payagala Malegoda and Chief Sanghanayaka of the Bentara-Walallawita Korale. Following the unveiling, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya offered flowers to the Buddha Statue and participated in the religious observances.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated:

In today’s rapidly evolving and increasingly complex society, what our people need most is restraint and spiritual peace.

We have heard that even during his imprisonment, Jawaharlal Nehru kept a Samadhi Buddha image close to him as a source of spiritual comfort.

I view the unveiling of this beautifully crafted metal Samadhi Buddha Statue within the sacred grounds of the historic Kongoda Sri Gangarama Purana Maha Viharaya as a significant contribution to the spiritual well-being of the Buddhist community in the entire area. It is commendable that this statue has been created using metal donated by the local community.

As a government, we are responsible for safeguarding the country’s historical, religious, and cultural heritage while supporting the development of temples. The Ministry of Buddha Sasana and the Central Cultural Fund are carrying out an important role in fulfilling this responsibility.

Recently, a number of initiatives have been launched to conserve ancient paintings, murals, stone inscriptions, and stupas located in historic temples across the island for the benefit of future generations. The Central Cultural Fund extends it’s financial and technical assistance at an accelerated pace to improve infrastructure in difficult and remote rural temples, not limiting to urban areas.

It is equally important to ensure that the younger generation receive a proper understanding of our historical heritage while protecting archaeological sites and enhancing them as heritage sites for both local and international visitors.

Preserving historic temples is not merely about maintaining buildings. It is about safeguarding our national identity, moral foundation, and invaluable cultural heritage for future generations. No matter how much physical and material development a country achieves, its true progress is measured by the values, discipline, and spiritual growth of its people. The Government’s key objective is to build an independent, fair and harmonious Sri Lankan society, enriched not only by physical development but also by strong spiritual values.

Historic temples such as Kongoda Sri Gangarama Purana Maha Viharaya play a vital role in guiding society towards righteousness and moral discipline. Therefore, the Government appreciates the guidance provided by the Maha Sangha and temples in nurturing a generation of virtuous, respectful, and knowledgeable children through Dhamma school education, while also strengthening harmony within communities.

The event was attended by the Anu Nayaka Thero of the Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Kalyani Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, the Most Venerable Makuruppe Somalankara Thero; the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Shasthrapathi Venerable Athuraliye Somananda Thero; Members of Parliament Sanjeewa Ranasinghe and Nandana Pushpakumara; public representatives, government officials, board of the temple’s Dayaka Sabha, and a large gathering of devotees and residents.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Artists such as Dr. Sujatha Attanayake have taught us that truth...

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that great art knows no ethnicity, religion or language, and that its true language is humanity and unity. She further noted that the artistic creations of eminent artistes such as Dr. Sujatha Attanayake have powerfully conveyed this truth to generations of Sri Lankans.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a special felicitation ceremony held in honour of veteran songstress Dr. Sujatha Attanayake.

The special tribute programme, “Dr. Sujatha Attanayake Pranama,” organised by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), was held on July 28 at the Kumaratunga Munidasa Studio of the SLBC with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The event was organised to honour Dr. Sujatha Attanayake’s outstanding contribution of more than seven decades to Sri Lankan music and to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As part of the tribute, a portrait of Dr. Sujatha Attanayake was ceremonially unveiled at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted that Dr. Sujatha Attanayake’s musical journey, which began when she was only eight years old, had evolved into an extraordinary artistic career that has earned the admiration and affection of generations of Sri Lankans.

The Prime Minister stated that the cultural memory of a nation is shaped not only by history books but also by the songs, voices, artistic creations and memories that live in the hearts of its people. She observed that such artists become pioneers in shaping a nation’s identity and described Dr. Sujatha Attanayake as one of the finest examples of this enduring legacy.

Recalling that Dr. Sujatha Attanayake’s voice has been interwoven with the lives of Sri Lankans for more than seven decades, accompanying moments of joy, sorrow, love and devotion, the Prime Minister remarked that "Dr. Sujatha Attanayake sang not merely songs, but emotions.”

The Prime Minister further stated that Dr. Sujatha Attanayake’s life and career demonstrate the profoundly personal and transformative nature of music. She emphasized that the singer’s voice was never confined to a single ethnicity, language or culture. Through her performances of Sinhala, Tamil and Islamic cultural songs, and by fostering artistic bonds across diverse communities, Dr. Sujatha Attanayake strengthened coexistence, mutual understanding and compassion among the people of Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister also recalled that the month of July is associated with many painful chapters in Sri Lanka’s history. She stressed that these difficult memories should be passed on to future generations not as a legacy of hatred, but as a reminder of the importance of reconciliation, unity and brotherhood. She further emphasized that July should transcend the memory of “Black July” and instead become “a Month of Brotherhood” that brings all Sri Lankans closer together.

Further elaborating on these sentiments, the Prime Minister stated,"Our arts and culture have never belonged to a single ethnicity or community. Sri Lanka’s national identity has been shaped by the coming together of our diverse ethnicities, languages and cultural traditions. It is because of this rich diversity that our songs have resonated so deeply with people’s hearts, our cinema has gained international recognition, and our dance and other art forms have flourished with exceptional beauty. Enduring works of art are created not through division, but when people move forward hand in hand, respecting one another’s differences. Likewise, the future of our country can only be built if all Sri Lankans advance together in a spirit of brotherhood, cooperation and mutual respect. Artists of extraordinary talent such as Dr. Sujatha Attanayake have demonstrated this truth through their lives, their art and their deep commitment to our shared humanity.”

“Our arts and culture have never belonged to a single ethnicity or community. Sri Lanka’s national identity has been shaped by the coming together of our diverse ethnicities, languages and cultural traditions. It is because of this rich diversity that our songs have resonated so deeply with people’s hearts, our cinema has gained international recognition, and our dance and other art forms have flourished with exceptional beauty. Enduring works of art are created not through division, but when people move forward hand in hand, respecting one another’s differences. Likewise, the future of our country can only be built if all Sri Lankans advance together in a spirit of brotherhood, cooperation and mutual respect. Artists of extraordinary talent such as Dr. Sujatha Attanayake have demonstrated this truth through their lives, their art and their deep commitment to our shared humanity."

Among those present at the event were the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi , Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Kaushalya Ariyarathne , Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Professor Udita Gayashan Gunasekara, Dr. Rathna Sri Wijesinghe, Dr. Navaratna Attanayake, and many other distinguished guests.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

An awareness workshop to launch the national initiative “A Culture of Integrity – A Clean Sri Lanka” aimed at fostering a more ethical and accountable public service was held on July 27 at Temple Trees, with the participation of the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri.

The programme aims to strengthen ethics and values within the public service in alignment with the national Clean Sri Lanka programme, contributing to the Government’s key objective of enhancing the quality, efficiency, and transparency of the entire public service while establishing an exemplary, corruption-free system of public administration.

The National Integrity Week 2026, conducted under the theme “A Culture of Integrity – A Clean Sri Lanka”, will be implemented islandwide from July 27 to July 31, 2026. The initiative is not intended to be a one-week commemorative programme but rather the beginning of a short, medium, and long-term transformation aimed at bringing about sustainable change in the culture and foundations of the public service.

Addressing the occasion, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri stated that the programme provides an opportunity to rethink prevailing perceptions of good governance. He also highlighted that Sri Lanka has improved its standing in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), moving ahead of 14 countries in the global rankings.

The awareness workshop was conducted with resource contribution from Dr. Pradeepa Serasinghe, former Director General of the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA).

The workshop was participated in Senior officials, heads of divisions, and officers of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Our mandate is to establish the rule of law and restore respect and confidence in Sri Lanka’s justice system

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks in Parliament on July 24 while responding to the debate rised on the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Justice and National Integration.

Participating in the parliamentary debate on the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Justice and National Integration, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Opposition had failed to substantiate its allegations with facts and had instead relied on rhetoric and personal attacks.

The Prime Minister further stated,

“There is no doubt that the incident that occurred on 5 and 6 July was tragic, and the loss of life is unacceptable. It is not something that can be accepted or condoned in any way.

Members of the Opposition must establish, through evidence and facts, how exactly the Minister of Justice and National Integration is solely responsible for what happened, and how his conduct before, during and after the incident amounted to a breach of trust. Noise, personal attacks, venom and rhetoric do not establish facts.

What we are hearing today is a distortion of the truth, misrepresentation of facts, half-truths at best, and a deliberate effort to viciously attack a member of the Cabinet. That does not establish the intent of this no-confidence motion.

The Prime Minister further noted that many of the structural deficiencies within the prison system predated the current administration and had remained unresolved for years.

She noted that longstanding vacancies in the prison service had persisted since 2022 but that the present Government had taken steps to address them.

“During the past year, 695 prison guards have been recruited, a further 190 recruitments are underway, and 18 Assistant Superintendents have been appointed. This is the first time since 2022 that these vacancies have begun to be filled.”

The Prime Minister further emphasized that the reforms undertaken to strengthen the Government Analyst’s Department, including filling vacancies, allocating funds for essential equipment, initiating procurement processes, and reviewing procedures to improve efficiency.

Addressing the need to ensure that the numbers of people in the remand are reduced , the Prime Minister stated legal reforms were already in progress, including amendments to the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act, which will soon be presented to Parliament. The Prime Minister stated that, “It is not that the Minister has failed to address these issues. Law reform does not happen overnight. It requires due process, and those processes are well underway.”

The Prime Minister also outlined measures taken by the present Minister of justice and national integration to improve prison conditions, including expanding healthcare services for prisoners and prison staff in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, introducing inpatient and specialized medical services, appointing new healthcare personnel, and improving access to treatment.

In addition, she highlighted rehabilitation initiatives aimed at reducing reoffending, including community rehabilitation programmes and vocational training to equip prisoners with employable skills upon release.

Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to comprehensive justice sector reforms, the Prime Minister further stated,

“Our mandate was to establish the rule of law and restore respect and confidence in Sri Lanka’s justice system.”

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the Government inherited a justice system that had been weakened by years of systemic corruption, institutional inefficiencies, and longstanding structural shortcomings. The Prime Minister further stated,

The task of cleaning up a such correpured system is not easy. This incident is also needed to understand in that particular context of how the prison system was operated in the past It is this corrupted system that the Minister has been entrusted with the responsibility of cleaning up. This involves investigation within the Institution itself. It is not a easy task. This government has undertaken this difficult challenge.

It is very clear that this opposition so far will not be able to establish any facts that support the motion that they have brought forward. This is retorical exercises. This is not about justice system. This is another cheap effort by the opposition to get attention and part of a push back against the very reforms the government and the ministry has been undertaken.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Colombo District Waste Management Subcommittee, operating under the Colombo District Coordinating Committee, convened at Parliament on 22 July with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The meeting reviewed the current measures being implemented to address issues relating to the disposal of municipal solid waste in the Western Province, following up on matters discussed at previous meetings. Particular attention was also given to future plans for improving solid waste management. In addition, discussions focused on promoting the proper use of compost bins among the public.

Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to develop an effective mechanism to ensure the proper implementation of existing waste management policies. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of raising public awareness of citizens’ responsibility to dispose of waste appropriately.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara; Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Colombo District Development Committee Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi; Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara; Chief Secretary of the Western Province Pradeep Pushpakumara; officials of the Colombo District Secretariat, the Waste Management Authority (WMA), the Urban Development Authority (UDA), the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and the Colombo Municipal Council.

Prime Minister’s Media Division