The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, participated in the inaugural Global Conscious Food Systems Summit, held in Bhutan from 31 August to 04 September 2026.
The Global Conscious Food Systems Summit 2026, the inaugural global summit exploring the role of consciousness, values, culture, spirituality and inner transformation in advancing sustainable, equitable and regenerative food systems, was jointly hosted by the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport on 31 August 2026 to participate in the Summit, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, was warmly received by Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay; Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel; Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan, Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa; Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Bhutan, Dharmapala Weerakkody; Ambassador of Bhutan to Sri Lanka, Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee; and senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the UNDP Country Office in Bhutan.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, delivered the keynote address at the inaugural Global Conscious Food Systems Summit 2026, held on 01 September 2026 at Dungkar Dzong, Bhutan. She addressed the Summit under the theme, “Rising to the Moment: Igniting Consciousness to Address the Polycrisis.”
Following her keynote address, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, participated in a panel discussion alongside Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, under the theme, “Conscious Leadership - The Art of Facilitating Transformation for a More Just and Regenerative World.”
Immediately following the panel discussion, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, participated in a press conference, responding to questions from local and international media representatives on food security, agricultural practices, women’s employment, and sustainable social and economic development.
On 01 September 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held a productive bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, in Thimphu. The meeting focused on further strengthening the longstanding friendship and bilateral partnership between Sri Lanka and Bhutan and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including education, health, trade, tourism, air connectivity and people-to-people contacts.
On 01 September 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, also held a productive meeting with former Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007–2016), Founder and Board Member of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, and former President of the Assembly and member of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Ban Ki-moon. The discussions focused on potential areas of support and cooperation for Sri Lanka in addressing climate change, combating deforestation, and preserving and restoring mangrove ecosystems.
Following the above meeting, she also held a fruitful meeting with UNDP Global Head of Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems Practice, Andrew Bovarnick. The discussions focused on opportunities for further UNDP support to Sri Lanka, particularly through technology and knowledge transfer to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and promote sustainable and resilient food systems.
On 01 September 2026, she also met with former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997–2002), Mary Robinson. The meeting focused on the role of women in agriculture, women’s economic empowerment, and the importance of ensuring their meaningful participation and leadership in addressing contemporary global challenges.
On 02 September 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, was granted a Royal Audience by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
The Royal Audience provided an opportunity for the Prime Minister to convey the greetings and best wishes of the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka to His Majesty the King and to discuss the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Bhutan. The two sides exchanged views on matters of common interest and explored opportunities to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual benefit.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, held a productive bilateral meeting with Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan, Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa, on 03 September 2026.
The discussions focused on further strengthening and expanding Sri Lanka–Bhutan cooperation in education, with particular emphasis on developing mutually beneficial initiatives through enhanced Government-to-Government engagement.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to initiate discussions towards the finalization and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in education and vocational training. They also agreed to establish a Joint Working Group, headed at the Secretary level, with annual meetings to review progress, identify new areas of cooperation and facilitate the implementation of agreed activities.
The two sides also discussed opportunities for Bhutanese students to pursue undergraduate studies at universities in Sri Lanka, particularly in Dentistry, Medicine (MBBS) and allied health disciplines such as Physiotherapy, as well as postgraduate studies in medical and health sciences. The discussions also covered faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, and strengthened institutional collaboration between universities and other academic institutions of the two countries.
On 04 September 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, attended a presentation on the Bhutan Innovation Lab (BIL), Bhutan’s National Innovation Platform, conducted by the Office of the Prime Minister of Bhutan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The Bhutan Innovation Lab (BIL) is Bhutan’s national innovation platform, established under the Office of the Prime Minister of Bhutan in partnership with the UNDP. The Prime Minister-led initiative seeks to harness innovation, entrepreneurship and technology to transform governance and accelerate economic development. The Lab serves as a bridge between government policy and entrepreneurs, innovators and other stakeholders, facilitating the development of ideas from concept to practical implementation.
The Sri Lankan delegation, led by Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities encountered by Bhutan in implementing the initiatives of the Bhutan Innovation Lab (BIL). The presentation also provided an opportunity to exchange views on how such innovative mechanisms could contribute to economic transformation, public-sector innovation and new opportunities for young entrepreneurs and innovators.
During her stay in Bhutan, the Prime Minister, accompanied by members of the Sri Lankan delegation, undertook field visits to several places of cultural, religious, educational and national significance. These included the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law) in Paro; Tashichho Dzong; the Royal Textile Museum; the National Memorial Chorten; Buddha Point; Druk Wangyal Lhakhang Buddhist Temple; Simtokha Dzong; Kyichu Lhakhang; and the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro.
As part of the visit, the Prime Minister also attended a presentation by the Chief ICT Officer of the Government Technology Agency on the Bhutan National Digital Identity (Bhutan NDI) programme. The presentation provided an overview of Bhutan’s digital identity framework and its role in facilitating secure, trusted and citizen-centric digital services.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka concurrently accredited to Bhutan, with residence in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dharmapala Weerakkody, and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, B.W.G.C. Sagarika Bogahawatta, were also present at the Summit, bilateral meetings and other official engagements as members of the Sri Lankan delegation led by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya’s participation in the Summit provided an important platform to share Sri Lanka’s perspectives and experiences on sustainable food systems, inclusive development and the role of conscious leadership in addressing interconnected global challenges.
The bilateral meetings with high-level dignitaries of the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Royal Audience with His Majesty the King, and other official engagements reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and close ties between Sri Lanka and Bhutan, while underscoring the commitment of both countries to further deepen bilateral relations and expand mutually beneficial cooperation across areas of common interest.
High Commission of Sri Lanka, Dhaka
09 September 2026
