The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, successfully participated in the inaugural Global Conscious Food Systems Summit, which was held in Bhutan from 31 August to 04 September 2026.
The Global Conscious Food Systems
Summit 2026, the inaugural global summit dedicated to 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 Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was warmly received by Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan; Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan; Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa, Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan; Dharmapala Weerakkody, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Bhutan; Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee, Ambassador of Bhutan to Sri Lanka; and senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the United Nations Development Programme (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 Harini Amarasuriya participated in a panel discussion alongside Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, under the theme, “Conscious Leadership - The Art of Facilitating Transformation for a More Just and Regenerative World.”
Immediately following the panel discussion, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya participated in a press conference, where she responded to questions from local and international media representatives on a range of issues, including food security, best 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 Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, in Thimphu. The meeting focused on further strengthening the longstanding, close and friendly bilateral partnership between Sri Lanka and Bhutan and elevating cooperation between the two countries to new heights. The two leaders exchanged views on a wide range of areas of mutual interest, including education, health, trade, tourism, air connectivity, and people-to-people contacts.
On 01 September 2026, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also held a productive meeting with Mr. Ban Ki-moon, 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). The discussions focused on potential areas of support and cooperation for Sri Lanka in addressing the impacts of climate change, combating deforestation, and preserving and restoring mangrove ecosystems, among other areas.
Following the above meeting, she also held a fruitful meeting with Mr. Andrew Bovarnick, UNDP Global Head of Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems Practice. 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 Ms. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997–2002). The meeting focused on the role of women in agriculture, women’s economic empowerment, and the importance of ensuring the meaningful participation and leadership of women in shaping global responses to contemporary challenges.
On 02 September 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, was granted a Royal Audience by His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan.
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. His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister exchanged views on matters of common interest and explored opportunities to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries across a range of 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 Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa, Minister for Education and Skills Development of Bhutan, on 03 September 2026.
The discussions focused on further strengthening and expanding Sri Lanka–Bhutan cooperation in the education sector, with particular emphasis on developing renewed and 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 the fields of education and vocational training. Both sides also agreed that the implementation of the MoU could be facilitated through the establishment of a Joint Working Group, headed at the Secretary level, with meetings to be convened annually to review progress, identify new areas of cooperation, and facilitate the effective implementation of agreed activities.
The two sides also discussed opportunities for Bhutanese students to pursue undergraduate studies at universities in Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on Dentistry, Medicine (MBBS), and allied health disciplines such as Physiotherapy, as well as opportunities to pursue postgraduate studies in the medical and health sciences at Sri Lankan universities. The discussions also covered faculty exchanges, student exchange programmes, 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. It is a Prime Minister-led initiative that 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 promising ideas from concept to practical implementation.
The Sri Lankan delegation, led by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, gained valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities encountered by Bhutan in implementing the initiatives of the Bhutan Innovation Lab (BIL). The presentation provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on how such innovative mechanisms could contribute to economic transformation, public-sector innovation, and the creation of new opportunities for young entrepreneurs and innovators.
During her stay in Bhutan, the Prime Minister, accompanied by members of the Sri Lankan delegation, undertook a series of 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, Bhutan’s first and only law school; Tashichho Dzong, the majestic Buddhist monastery and fortress in Thimphu; the Royal Textile Museum; the National Memorial Chorten; Buddha Point; Druk Wangyal Lhakhang Buddhist Temple; Simtokha Dzong, a historic fortress and monastery in Thimphu; Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temples in Paro; 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.
Dharmapala Weerakkody, Ambassador of Sri Lanka concurrently accredited to Bhutan, with residence in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Ms. B.W.G.C. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, 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 the interconnected challenges confronting the world today.
The bilateral meetings held 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 diverse areas of common interest.
