News Today: PM Vows a Peaceful and United Nation Future

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya delivered a rousing address at the Manik Farm Community Development Centre in Settikulam Ground, located in the Vanni electoral district. Speaking to a large group of supporters and officials, the Prime Minister pledged her government’s unwavering commitment to building a peaceful and united nation for future generations.

During her speech, she emphasized the historic achievement of the current Parliament, which now has the highest number of female representatives in Sri Lanka’s history. Previously, women made up less than 5% of the 225-member Parliament. This is a major milestone, considering that 52% of the population are women, yet their presence in politics and decision-making has been traditionally limited.

She urged voters to consider electing more women from the Vanni district in the upcoming elections. According to the Prime Minister, women contribute immensely to the nation’s economic stability, family structures, and community resilience. Electing honest, gender-balanced leadership, she said, is key to ensuring resources are properly allocated to uplift communities.

Touching on regional development, she noted that Vavuniya is rapidly evolving into a thriving city. With this growth comes the need for Provincial Councils and Local Government bodies to enhance their delivery of essential services—especially in rural areas.

Dr. Amarasuriya also addressed the critical state of education in the Northern region. She pointed out that educational opportunities in the North are deteriorating, and young people are becoming increasingly disinterested. The growing influence of drugs and alcohol was described as a major threat to youth, exacerbated by the lack of investment in fields like science, arts, and drama.

She called for urgent interventions to revive educational and recreational initiatives, emphasizing that a positive environment must be created to protect youth and empower them.

Furthermore, she stated, “If you elect a group free from corruption and fraud, we can allocate funds without hesitation. These funds will directly benefit your village.”

The event was also attended by Co-operative Development Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe, Vavuniya District MPs S. Thileepan and M. Jegatheeswaran, along with several Local Government candidates and community members.