The Vesak pandol depicting the narrative of Maha Prajapathi Gothami was ceremoniously inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya amidst a Seth Pirith chanting ceremony on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, May 12, at the Grandpass Kosgas Junction (Pandol Junction).

This year marks the 54th occasion on which the Sri Vaishakya Sambuddhaloka Society has organized the Vesak pandol.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The 2025 Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival, jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Prime Minister’s Office, was ceremonially inaugurated on May 12 by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

During the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister shared the following thoughts:

The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival, held with the collective effort of all communities residing in the city of Colombo, is truly special. The religious harmony that exists within Colombo plays a significant role in making this event successful. Thanks to this harmony, we witness a large number of Dansals and Vesak festivities. These Dansals are organized through the collective efforts of people across the city, who contribute both financially and physically to make them possible.

The efforts made by the Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Kirinde Assaji Thero, to nurture Sri Lankan Buddhist enlightenment, Buddhist culture, and national identity not only among local Buddhists community but also to foreign Buddhists community and international visitors, must be sincerely appreciated.

At this moment, I also remember with deep sorrow those who lost their lives in yesterday’s tragic bus accident in the Kotmale area, and I extend heartfelt sympathies to their families. I also wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

The event was attended by High Commissioners and Ambassadors including Mr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri Secretary to the Prime Minister and a distinguished gathering of guests.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.

Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.

This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.

I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.

May all of you have a blessed Vesak!

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya,
Prime Minister,
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
12th May 2025

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited Gampola and Peradeniya hospitals on May 11 afternoon to inquire into the condition of the patients injured in a tragic bus accident. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 11 when a bus traveling from Kataragama to Kurunegala veered off the road and plunged into a 500 feet steep cliff in the Garandiella area.

During the visit, the Prime Minister paid special attention to the availability of essential medication for patients being treated in intensive care units, as well as the need to ensure that all patients receive the required medical attention without delay.

Responding to questions from the media, the Prime Minister stated:

This is a dire tragedy, and it is deeply difficult to come to terms with such loss. Children, parents, and loved ones have been taken from us. Our country witnesses a high number of road accidents each day. The Minister of Transport is making great efforts to prevent such tragedies.

At this moment, I would especially like to express my gratitude to our medical professionals and hospital staff who, despite the challenges, are working together to provide treatment to the injured. I also wish to extend my gratitude to everyone who set aside their duties to transport the victims to hospitals without hesitation in this humanitarian rescue. This is what makes our country special. We must preserve such compassionate values. I also want to affirm that the government will intervene to do everything necessary in response to this tragedy.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Mr. Bimal Rathnayake also joined the visit.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was held on May 10 at the Prime Minister’s Office with the police team conducting investigations and the parents of the deceased child from Kotahena.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed the police investigation team to carry out an impartial, accurate inquiry into the incidents that occurred both within the school and in the tuition class.

The Prime Minister further informed the group that the Ministry of Education is presently conducting an internal inquiry to assess the efficiency and adequacy of the procedures that were followed at the time the incident was reported.

In light of the observed lack of coordination among state institutions responsible for responding to cases of child abuse and the failure of these systems to adequately intervene in the recent case involving the abused child the Prime Minister has appointed a three-member committee, chaired by Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Asvini Fernando, to oversee and ensure the efficient execution of relevant procedures.

The event was attended by Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Paulraj, and Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijayapala.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated in Parliament on May 9 that incidents and crimes involving children must be addressed with responsibility and should never be politicized or used for political advantage.

The Prime Minister made these remarks in reference to the recent incident involving a school girl in the Kotahena area who commit suicide.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a child contemplating suicide reflects a collective failure of society and that such incidents must never be repeated. The Prime Minister further emphasized that investigations are currently being conducted with the involvement of all relevant parties concerning the incident involving the Kotahena schoolgirl.

Further, the Prime Minister stated that discussions have been conducted with the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Paulraj, regarding the rapid establishment of a mechanism involving the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the National Child Protection Authority, and the Sri Lanka Police to address incidents and crimes involving children.

The Prime Minister also extended her condolences to the parents of the child, and emphasized that as a government, a broader intervention will be made to prevent such tragedies and a program will be implemented to ensure the complete protection of children in such vulnerable situations.

Prime Minister’s Media Division