The ‘Sri Lankan Day’ programme is to be held from December 12 to 14 covering the premises and main roads of the Colombo Municipal Council Grounds and Viharamahadevi Park, including the surrounding area, with the participation of the public and private sectors in four zones. It was been proposed in the Budget Speech 2025 by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning,

and Economic Development, to conduct a national program called ‘Sri Lankan Day’ with the objective of creating a harmonious Sri Lanka by developing understanding among communities.

The Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry  has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing this programme.The programme has been prepared to hold in a manner that represents all ethnicities, religions and cultural elements, as well as the food cultures of each district, local industry exhibitions and sales and the introduction of new product opportunities.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister to conduct the ‘Sri Lankan Day’ programme.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken steps to amend the scopes, functions, and organizational structures of several ministries, statutory bodies, and state corporations. A gazette notification has been issued detailing these changes, which follow the recent cabinet reshuffle.

Under the amendments:

• The Department of Civil Security (formerly under the Ministry of Defense) and the Rehabilitation Bureau (formerly under the Ministry of Justice and National Integration) have been transferred to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs.
• The Sri Lanka Thriposha Corporation Limited (formerly under the Ministry of Health) now falls under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, while Selacine Media Solutions Private Limited (formerly under the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs) has been moved to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.
• The Geology, Survey and Mines Bureau (formerly under the Ministry of Environment) has been placed under the Ministry of Industrial Entrepreneurship Development, and the Cinnamon Development Department (formerly under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation) now reports to the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure.
• The Ceylon Electricity Board, previously under the Ministry of Energy, has been restructured as Ceylon Electricity Board Private Limited, with four new institutions introduced under this restructuring program, as published in the gazette.

These changes aim to streamline operations and enhance efficiency across government institutions.

The Government of Sri Lanka had discussions with the Asian Development Bank to mobilize a loan amounting to USD 100 million coupled with an externally financed grant amounting to USD 6.9 million from the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Trust Fund (Pandemic Fund) for the Implementation of the Strengthening Integrated Health Care and Governance for Universal Health Coverage Program under the Result-based Lending modality.

The above loan of USD 100 million under the Regular Ordinary Capital Resources of ADB will be obtained to support national strategic framework for the development of health services for improved efficiency and quality of secondary health services as first referral care for ensuring universal health coverage. Further, this program comprises of three outputs which will mainly focus on (i) enhancing first referral care services, (ii) enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response and (iii) improving health sector technical capacity and pharmaceutical supply chain management.

The Ministry of Health and Mass Media will mainly be the Executing and Implementing Agency while the nine Provincial Departments of Health Services will also act as Implementing Agencies of the above program.

The Loan and the Grant Agreements were signed on 17 October 2025 between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank at the Treasury in Colombo by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and Mr. Takafumi Kadono, Country Director, ADB Sri Lanka Residence Mission, on behalf of the Asian Development Bank.

Member States of the WHO South-East Asia Region have adopted the Colombo Declaration on ‘Healthy Ageing through Strengthened Primary Health Care’, aimed at enhancing the health and quality of life of the region’s ageing population, which is expected to nearly double by 2050.

The declaration emphasises integrating healthy ageing into national policies and ensuring equitable, accessible, and age-responsive services across the full continuum of care, from health promotion and prevention to rehabilitation, long-term care, and palliative services.

The adoption took place during a Ministerial Round Table held yesterday (14) in Colombo as part of the 78th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia. The three-day conference, which began on October 13 and concludes today (15), brings together Health Ministers, senior officials, and experts from across the region to discuss strengthening primary healthcare and promoting well-being across the South-East Asia region, which has a population of nearly two billion.

Delivering the keynote address, WHO South-East Asia Officer-In-Charge Dr. Catharina Boehme, highlighted that older people in good health are “vital assets who continue to enrich families, communities, societies, and economies.” She described primary healthcare as the most inclusive, effective, and efficient pathway to achieving universal health coverage, enabling older individuals to live long, productive, and meaningful lives. Dr. Boehme noted that the Colombo Declaration aligns with the Regional Strategy for Healthy Ageing 2024–2030, which prioritises combating ageism, fostering enabling environments, delivering person-centred care, and ensuring access to long-term care.

Dr. Boehme further emphasised the importance of building a healthcare workforce with geriatric and gender-sensitive competencies, supporting caregivers, and developing community-based multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality care to older persons.

She also stressed the need for sustainable financing, urging governments to allocate adequate resources, explore innovative funding mechanisms, and integrate healthy ageing into national budgets and social protection systems. “Broader partnerships are essential,” she said. “Development banks, civil society, the private sector, and academic institutions all have vital roles in mobilising resources, driving innovation, and scaling solutions.”

Chairing the session, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa praised the country’s robust primary healthcare system, attributing its success to the dedication of healthcare professionals in disease prevention and public well-being.

He highlighted the Government’s ‘Arogya Suwatha Centres’ initiative, aimed at enhancing community health nationwide, and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to sharing expertise and collaborating with regional partners to build a healthier and more resilient South-East Asia.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping today(14).

Noting that China and Sri Lanka boast a long traditional friendship, Xi said that China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward this friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, and deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

China is willing to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Sri Lanka, and expand cooperation in fields such as port economy, modern agriculture, digital economy, green economy, and tourism, Xi said.

The two countries should strengthen cooperation in law enforcement and security, and resolutely crack down on cross-border gambling, fraud and other criminal activities, he said.

Xi also called on the two countries to deepen coordination and cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, and firmly safeguard the common interests of the Global South.

Sri Lanka actively supports and participates in the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Amarasuriya said, adding that Sri Lanka is looking forward to deepening cooperation with China for fresh progress in its own development.

She said that the four global initiatives put forward by Xi are of great significance in the current turbulent international landscape, and Sri Lanka will implement the initiatives with China and jointly safeguard the common interests of the Global South.

The 78th session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Committee for South-East Asia commenced in Colombo yesterday (13), with Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa being elected as chairman. He will serve in this capacity for a period of one year.

The three-day session, which will continue until tomorrow (15), marks a significant event for Sri Lanka as host nation. It is attended by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Dr. Katerina Bohm, Health Ministers from eight member States, Ambassadors from two nations, and other WHO experts.

The meeting will focus on shaping the region’s health strategy for the coming year. Delegates are expected to adopt new proposals addressing major health challenges, review progress on previous resolutions, and renew commitments to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of all people across the region.

Revitalising efforts to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will also be among the key priorities discussed during the session.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls, and to translating principles into practical action for equality and dignity.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Opening Ceremony of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025, held at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing on 13 October, upon the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

On her arrival at the CNCC, the Prime Minister was welcomed by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Madam Peng Liyuan. Following President Xi’s welcome address, Heads of State and Government delivered their remarks, including the address by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Addressing the forum the Prime Minister stated; “Nearly thirty years after the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing and the Beijing Platform for Action, we still draw on that comprehensive framework for gender equality.

We have made real progress: female literacy has risen, maternal mortality has nearly halved, and global life expectancy has increased from 69 years in 1995 to 76 years in 2023.

Yet serious gaps remain: women’s labour-force participation stands at just 48.7% compared with 73% for men; women account for only about 35% of graduates in science and technology; 47.8 million more women than men face moderate or severe food insecurity; and movement toward political parity is far too slow.

All-round development of women is, therefore, a holistic process across education, health, the economy, politics, society, and culture and it demands our continued commitment.”

The Prime Minister further emphasised Sri Lanka’s national commitments, including increasing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making to ensure meaningful representation at every level, and implementing the National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023–2027), in line with CEDAW and UNSCR 1325.

She affirmed Sri Lanka’s resolve to ensure that women from diverse social backgrounds, including those from working-class and marginalised communities, are represented across all sectors.

After the Opening Ceremony, the Prime Minister attended the official banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Madam Peng Liyuan at the CNCC.

Sri Lanka is hosting the 78th Regional Conference of the World Health Organization (WHO) for South and Southeast Asia in Colombo from today (13) to October 15.

The opening ceremony of the Tourist House and Stamp Office at the Ella Post Office of the Sri Lanka Postal Department was held recently under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, in line with the 151st World Post Day celebrations.

These two initiatives aim to generate additional revenue for the Postal Department while also contributing to the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. Addressing the event, Minister Dr. Jayatissa emphasized the importance of positive transformation and innovation to strengthen the Department’s ability to face future challenges.

The event featured several symbolic activities, including the unveiling of the tourist house nameplate, the lighting ceremony, the sale of commemorative stamps to both local and foreign visitors, and the first official booking of the new tourist facility.

The upper floor of the Ella Post Office, originally built as an official residence in 2018, was renovated and transformed into a tourist accommodation at a cost of approximately Rs. 2 million in 2025. The renovation followed earlier upgrades made in 2024 at a cost of Rs. 4.5 million.

Located in one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations, the new facility is expected to serve as both a revenue-generating venture and a value-added service for visitors to Ella.

The event was attended by MP Ravindra Bandara, Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara, Deputy Postmasters General Premachandra Herath, Thusitha Hulangamuwa, and Chameesha de Silva, along with other officials and staff of the Sri Lanka Postal Department.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya arrived in Beijing, China, on 12 October for an official visit to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025, upon the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. On her arrival, she was welcomed by Ms. Cao Shumin, Minister of the National Radio and Television Administration.

During the first day’s programme, the Prime Minister visited the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. The Forbidden City (Palace Museum), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases imperial architecture and nationally curated collections. The Great Wall, also a UNESCO site, stands as a symbol of China’s historical ingenuity and ongoing conservation efforts.

Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne officially assumed her duties as the Deputy Minister of Mass Media at the Ministry of Mass Media in Narahenpita this morning (11).

Her appointment follows a Cabinet reshuffle carried out by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in conjunction with the 2026 budget, aimed at accelerating and streamlining the government’s development goals.

Speaking after taking office, Dr. Ariyaratne highlighted the ongoing initiatives under the “Rich Country, Beautiful Life” policy and noted that many projects are still underway. She emphasized that the Ministry of Mass Media plays a central role, reflecting government policies and state affairs both locally and internationally through the media.

Dr. Ariyaratne stressed the importance of responsible journalism, media freedom, and balanced information, stating that policy formulation to achieve these goals will require the cooperation of all stakeholders.

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says that the Government is creating a national renaissance in the postal service and that the 152nd Postal Day should be celebrated as a postal day that achieved its goals.

World Post Day, which celebrates the postal service that delivers happiness, hope, and love for millions of people throughout the country and around the world, fell yesterday (9).

The national celebration to mark the occasion organised by the Postal Department was held at the Badulla Postal Complex Auditorium with the participation of Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

The 151st World Post Day is being celebrated this year, and this is also the 56th National Post Day celebration in this country.

The Minister also stated that the postal service has a long history and is of economic importance, and that the Government is bringing about a national renaissance of the postal service.

The Minister emphasised that the postal service, also generates revenue by providing services. He also pointed out that the Government is taking steps to strengthen the services provided through human resource development, building development, and equipping the postal service with modern technology, and that all employees have the responsibility to turn all post offices into entrepreneurial centers.

The Minister stated that the 152nd Postal Day should be celebrated with the trust of the people as a rapidly developing, modern technology-based service that has achieved its goals and is not a burden on the Government.

Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara said that efforts should be made to build a positive response among the public towards the postal service.

He also stated that the services would be launched under the guidance of the Universal Postal Union and that the postal service should be made a service that would not be a burden on the country, and that all staff should dedicate themselves to achieving the objectives of the service.

The commemorative stamp issued by the Department of Posts to mark the 151st World Post Day was released under the patronage of the Minister and with the participation of distinguished guests.

The Minister also presented Postal Day commemorative magazine and presented award certificates to best performing Sub-Post Offices, Postal Superintendents’ Offices, District Administrative Superintendents’ Offices, and District Accounts Offices.