UNICEF Executive Board delegation meets Prime Minister

Saturday, 6 June 2026 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Following a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Board delegation met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees, Thursday.

Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Amarasuriya expressed her appreciation for UNICEF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in advancing the rights and wellbeing of children. She also commended UNICEF’s timely assistance and recovery efforts in response to Cyclone Ditwah.

Discussions focused on strengthening legal protections for children, including measures to prevent all forms of violence against children and address child malnutrition.

The Prime Minister further noted that the occasion presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen collaboration between UNICEF and the Government of Sri Lanka. She emphasised that while Sri Lanka possesses a strong policy and legal framework, attention must be paid to ensuring effective implementation and enforcement in addressing existing challenges affecting children and vulnerable communities.

The UNICEF representatives commended the Government’s ongoing education reform process and expressed their willingness to continue assisting in achieving its objectives and promoting child-sensitive programs.

The meeting was attended by UNICEF Executive Board President and Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN Rein Tammsaar, UNICEF Executive Board Vice President and Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the UN Sophia Tesfamariam, UNICEF Executive Board Vice President and Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the UN Alejandra Hernandez Gonzalez, members of the UNICEF Executive Board delegation, Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry.