The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which symbolises the aspiration for renewal both physically and spiritually, is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.

During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice vividly reflects our nation’s identity before the world, as well as the strong socio-cultural bonds that exist among our communities.
We firmly believe that the future path of national development can only be shaped in harmony with this invaluable culture and our distinguished historical heritage. Accordingly, it must be recalled that all our future development plans have been formulated upon the firm foundation of these precious traditions and cultural values.
Moreover, the common aspiration embodied in the customs and rituals associated with the solar transition is the nurturing of a compassionate individual who values togetherness, respects others, and lives in harmony with nature. I believe that the virtues and values of unity reflected in these New Year traditions should not be confined to these few days alone, but should instead be demonstrated throughout the year in our daily conduct.
In the face of the most significant recent natural disaster challenge encountered in the past year, we demonstrated to the world our resilience and capacity to withstand internal shocks. At the same time, in responding to the external challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East, the Government has already set in motion a well-planned and effectively managed programme to overcome these difficulties.
As a nation, in overcoming these challenges together, I call upon all of you to further dedicate yourselves to enriching your lives through the values of togetherness, sharing, and solidarity exemplified during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.
As we strengthen the achievements we have secured and move forward with unwavering resolve in the face of emerging challenges, I invite everyone to join hands in unity to realise the vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” for all.
I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to establish four high-level special committees and declare every Wednesday a public holiday to ensure the continuity of essential services and public life amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Speaking at a special media briefing at the Department of Government Information on Monday (16), Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi announced that these measures aim to proactively manage energy resources and maintain state services.

Strategic Oversight Committees

To streamline the national response, the government has appointed the following committees:

• State Services Committee: Chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, tasked with overseeing the overall functioning of the public sector.

• Energy Affairs Committee: Chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath, focused on managing fuel and power resources.

• Essential Goods Distribution Committee: Chaired by Minister Bimal Rathnayake, responsible for ensuring the steady supply of food and medicine.

• Social Welfare Committee: Chaired by Minister Upali Pannilage, focused on safeguarding vulnerable groups during the crisis.

New Working Arrangements and Suspensions

As part of an emergency energy-saving drive, the following changes have been implemented with immediate effect:

• Mid-Week Holiday: Every Wednesday is declared a public holiday for the state sector, including schools, universities, and the judiciary. Essential services—including health, ports, water supply, and customs—are exempt.

• Flexible Workweek: For the remaining four working days, heads of state institutions have been granted the authority to decide on the necessary staff required to report for duty.

• Event Suspension: All government-organized functions and ceremonies are suspended until further notice.

Mr. Chandrakeerthi reassured the public that the country currently maintains sufficient fuel reserves. However, these measures have been taken to mitigate potential future shocks caused by global supply chain disruptions. Further updates regarding school schedules are expected in the coming days.

Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi announced that every Wednesday will be declared a special government holiday until further notice in order to address potential fuel supply issues arising from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

He made this statement while participating in a special media briefing held at the Department of Government Information this afternoon (16).

He further stated that heads of state institutions have been given the authority to decide the number of employees required to report to work during the remaining four working days of the week.

Following a comprehensive, long-term consultation process, the Advanced Draft of the “National Media Policy of Sri Lanka” was officially presented yesterday (14) to the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and the Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, at the Ministry of Mass Media auditorium.

Prepared by an independent multi-stakeholder committee appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media, this policy framework was formulated with the contributions of hundreds of diverse stakeholders over a period of more than two years, from May 2023 to December 2025.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, stated that the people’s struggle (Aragalaya) highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive policies across multiple sectors in Sri Lanka, and that the formulation of these policies is currently underway at the ministerial level. The Minister emphasized that this media policy does not merely belong to the Ministry; rather, the Ministry’s role was strictly to facilitate the process. He pointed out that the drafting of such a unanimously agreeable policy by an independent multi-stakeholder committee is a historic achievement. Furthermore, the Minister noted that the Ministry paid special attention to media freedom, the professionalism of journalists, and the impact of citizens throughout this process.
The Initial Draft (Zero Draft) of this policy was prepared and presented in July 2024 by an initial drafting committee comprising 23 members, which was appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media in 2023.
The process of preparing this advanced draft was further expanded by a multi-stakeholder committee of 28 members, reappointed by the current government in early 2025. As part of this, steps were taken to publish the initial draft in all three languages on the Ministry's website starting in June 2025 to gather public feedback. Moreover, public contribution was enhanced by gathering views from civil society representatives, journalists, and women activists. This was conducted across regions centering on Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, Trincomalee, and Jaffna, in collaboration with the Ministry of Mass Media, South Asian Women in Media (SAWM), and the Free Media Movement (FMM).
The event was attended by government officials, including the Director General of Government Information, Mr. Harsha Bandara, and the Director (Development - Mass Media) of the Ministry of Mass Media, Mrs. Nelum Dilshari, alongside members of the expert committee that drafted the National Media Policy.

This year, the United Nations has declared the global theme for International Women’s Day as “Rights. Justice. Action. For all Women and Girls,” emphasizing the realization of rights, the delivery of justice, and meaningful action for all women and girls.

Women are the true pillar of Sri Lankan society and economy. The role they play within the family and in society has today become a decisive factor in shaping the future of our nation. Through the Government’s policy statement, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” we envision going beyond treating women as mere beneficiaries and recognizing them as active partners in national development, ensuring that they receive the dignity and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Within our policy framework, special focus has been placed on women. We are committed to recognizing the economic contribution extended by women as housewives, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and expanding access to the technical and financial support necessary for self-employment alongside strengthening the legal framework required to ensure women’s safety in public transport, workplaces, and within the family environment. Further, we are taking steps to create the environment to increase women’s representation in decision-making bodies at national and regional levels. Special attention is also being given to implementing targeted programmes aimed at improving women’s nutrition, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

Women are not a group seeking sympathy; they are vital social partners endowed with intelligence, resilience, and creativity. Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity

On this International Women’s Day, I sincerely hope that it marks the beginning of a new era in which the aspirations of all women in our country are realized as they shine before the world.

International Women’s Day has been celebrated annually across the world on 8 March for over a century.

In Sri Lanka, the role of women in the economic, political, social and cultural spheres is distinctive and significant. While this day serves to recognise and appreciate the immense responsibilities borne by women across all these sectors, and to reflect in particular on women’s rights, freedom and security, I believe that such recognition cannot be confined to a single day.

It is no secret that women, who represent 52 per cent of our country’s population, play a substantial role in the national economy. In addition to their unpaid contribution as homemakers, women make a considerable contribution to the garment industry, the plantation sector, foreign employment, as well as to the health, education and service sectors. I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the strength and commitment demonstrated by women, which contributed significantly to the many economic achievements our country attained in 2025.

In pursuit of social justice, we are already implementing plans to ensure gender equality and to enable women to participate more actively and productively in the economic process. As a Government, we have prioritised the structural changes necessary to secure and promote women’s rights and to act against all forms of violence and discrimination faced by women, at home, in public transport, within communities, in the workplace and on the political stage, while striving to realise the aspirations of a just society, a free nation and a liberated woman.

Marking a new chapter in parliamentary history, this Parliament includes the highest number of female Members of Parliament to date. Furthermore, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, a female Member of Parliament representing the Malayagam community has been elected, an important and historic milestone. I wish to emphasise that it is both our responsibility and our resolve to nurture a strong and dignified generation of women who will stand shoulder to shoulder in advancing the programme of economic, political and social transformation we have initiated. Expanding women’s entrepreneurship within a digital and green economy, and fostering women entrepreneurs capable of adapting to the country’s forthcoming economic transformation, remains a key objective of our Government.

In this context, I greatly appreciate the organisation of this year’s Women’s Day under the theme, ‘In a Thriving Nation – She Leads with Determination’, which proudly showcases the strength and dignity of Sri Lankan women to the world.

As we move forward with firm determination to free our society and nation from all adverse challenges, and to build a progressive country and a future generation grounded in ethics and compassion, I extend my warm wishes for a meaningful International Women’s Day and invite all women to join hands as strong partners and pioneers in this journey.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake

The contribution made by Victor Rathnayake to Sri Lanka’s musical landscape is immeasurable

A special ceremony honoring Victor Rathnayake was organized by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation under the title “Subhawita Githaye Situvarayano...Abhinandabhishekaya of Dr. Victor Rathnayake”. The event was held on February 24 under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the Kumaratunga Munidasa Auditorium of the Broadcasting Corporation.

The objective of the program was to honour the invaluable service rendered by Dr. Victor Rathnayake over more than six decades to Sri Lanka’s music sector and to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As a mark of appreciation, a portrait of Dr. Victor Rathnayake was also unveiled within the premises of the Broadcasting Corporation.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“I am an admirer of Dr. Victor Rathnayake. Therefore this very moment is special to me. I never imagined that I would one day have the opportunity to pay tribute to you so closely. This is a deeply joyful, and historic moment for me.

For more than sixty years, you have rendered a service to Sri Lanka’s music sphere that cannot be expressed in words. The first concert I watched during my childhood was your solo concert ’Sa’, which also holds the record as the most frequently staged solo musical concert in the country.

It was your songs that nurtured my love for the Sinhala language. Songs such as ’Kurullanta Gee Gayanna Obe Kata Handa Denna’ and ’Sangava Ganu Mena Sonduriya’ presented the aspect of love with subtlety and rare beauty. It is through these music that I have understood that music and the richness of language have the power to take us into a completely different world.

The concepts of harmony embedded within these songs are something we must speak about more. Through the musical composition and rendition of songs such as ’Oba Yana Gamane Mavatha Ahura’ created for the film ’Sarungale’, you naturally introduced us to the beauty of diverse cultures.

Truly, as a nation, we are extremely fortunate to have received a priceless treasure like you.

The Prime Minister further noted that the special moments of people’s lives in this country are closely intertwined with the creations of Victor Rathnayake.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also extended her best wishes for good health and long life to Dr. Victor Rathnayake, who celebrated his 84th birthday on February 18. She expressed her gratitude to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation for organizing such an event and stated that, despite the many challenges faced by the institution amid growing competition in the media sector, she firmly believes the Corporation possesses the strength to overcome them and move forward.

The Prime Minister also specially appreciated the Broadcasting Corporation’s efforts to honor living legends of Sri Lanka’s arts and culture.

The event was attended by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senavi; Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne; Dr. Rathna Sri Wijesinghe; Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Senior Professor Uditha Gayashan Gunasekara; family members of Dr. Victor Rathnayake; his fans; and many other distinguished guests.

The Postal Department has the potential to easily generate an income of Rs. 15,000 million this year, Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. The Minister made these remarks while participating in the opening ceremony of the newly reconstructed Madawala Ulpotha Post Office yesterday (22). The post office was renovated at a cost of Rs. 5.1 million. He stated that a sum of Rs. 2,000 million had previously been allocated for the development of the Postal Department, which enabled it to generate an income of Rs. 13,450 million. Accordingly, the Department expects to achieve a revenue target of Rs. 15,000 million this year. The Minister further noted that several initiatives are being implemented to modernize and strengthen the country’s postal service. Accordingly, Rs. 27 million has been allocated for the purchase of 209 security cameras, Rs. 74 million for 225 computers, and Rs. 101 million for 1,500 tablet computers for the Central Mail Exchange. In addition, steps have been taken to install new solar power generation systems at the Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Central Mail Exchange, and the Postal Headquarters at a cost of Rs. 24 million. He also stated that the planned development work at the Polonnaruwa Post Office has now been completed. Furthermore, Rs. 31 million has been allocated for the purchase of 657 fingerprint machines to be installed in post offices islandwide, the Minister added. Copyright ©2026 Ada Derana. All rights reserved.

Director General of Government Information, Mr. H.S.K.J. Bandara, stated that following a formal review of the 8,100 individuals who previously held government media accreditation, steps were taken to issue identity cards to only approximately 4,700 individuals this time.

He noted that this move aims to ensure that the privileges and welfare benefits intended for professional journalists reach those who are genuinely active in the field.

The Director General made these remarks during the inaugural session of a short-term media training program organized by the Media Research Unit of the Department of Government Information. The program, held at "Asidisi Medura" the day before yesterday (18), was designed to update the professional knowledge of journalists to promote a high-quality media culture and a sophisticated professional journalism practice.

Special Scholarship Program

Mr. Bandara further announced that a special scholarship program introduced by the government for the professional development of journalists is scheduled to be Gazetted next month. A key feature of this program is that it will be open to all qualified journalists from both state and private media institutions, without any political or organizational bias.

Adaptation to Emerging Technology

Highlighting the future of the industry, the Director General emphasized that the trajectory of journalism will be determined by technology. He urged journalists to become proficient in modern technical tools, specifically mentioning Artificial Intelligence (AI) and NotebookLM. He warned that those who fail to adapt to technology within the next five years will face significant challenges in remaining in the field.

Furthermore, he stressed that journalists should not limit themselves to urban-centric news but should focus more on real social issues faced by rural communities, such as the human-elephant conflict and poverty.

The training session was attended by a group including professional journalists and media officers from the security forces.

Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, announced in Parliament yesterday (19) that plans are underway to recruit 1,000 postal substitutes into the permanent service.

The Minister noted that a Gazette notification has already been issued to transition external substitutes within the Postal Department to the status of registered substitutes. Addressing concerns regarding current employees who have exceeded the age of 30, the Minister stated that measures would be taken to consider their cases.

These remarks were made in response to an oral question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Anuradhapura District MP, Rohana Bandara.

Addressing Age Limit Constraints

The Minister explained that while there are standard criteria for recruitment into the public service, a significant number of these substitutes have served the department for 8 to 10 years, despite many now being over the age of 30.

"A challenge regarding the age limit has arisen during this recruitment process. However, following the initial round of recruitments, we will specifically focus on the group exceeding the age limit," the Minister further clarified