Nov 19 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday emphasised the need for responsible governance and unity during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet Ministers of the NPP Govt. In his address, Prez highlighted the magnitude of the recent electoral victory and its accompanying responsibilities. “Our victory is great, but so too is the weight of the responsibility entrusted to us,” he said, more..

Nov 19 (DM) Former Minister and NDF candidate Kanchana Wijesekara is likely to enter Parliament through the National List, a number of former MPs told the media a shortwhile ago. Former MPs Arundika Fernando, Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, Premnath C. Dolawaththa and several others who spoke to the media after a meeting of the NDF at Flower Road told journalists that the majority of members in NDF have requested that Wijesekara be appointed through NL. more..

Nov 19 (FT) Congratulations on your remarkable landslide victory, securing over a two-thirds majority in Parliament. This is a testament to the trust and belief the general public has in you. You have also set an inspiring example for greater women’s political participation, which is truly commendable. As Sri Lankans, we have often relied on politicians to handle everything, but this approach has proven flawed. I genuinely want you to succeed so our country can regain its former glory. more..

Nov 19 (NW) The newly appointed Cabinet of Ministers of the NPP Govt has made key appointments related to the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka. Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake has been appointed as the Leader of the House. Meanwhile, the Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has been appointed as the Chief Government Whip. Earlier today, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa was also appointed as the Cabinet Spokesman. more..

Nov 19 (AD) The delay in crediting the fertilizer subsidy funds to farmers’ bank accounts is due to a technical issue with the computer system, claims the Ministry of Agriculture. Accordingly, Ministry has confirmed that a team of officials was deployed yesterday to investigate the matter and that a report pertaining to the matter is expected to be submitted to the Secretary of the Ministry today. Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture mentioned that steps have already been taken more..

Nov 19 (EN) Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala promised to stop political interference in police matters and ensure independence for the police to implement law and order. In his inaugural comments after assuming office as the Minister of Public Security which oversees police, passport and national identity card issuance said he will rectify the past concerns raised by the public. more..

Nov 19 (DM) Court of Appeal today issued an order directing the hospital authorities to submit a report on the health condition of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who is currently in remand custody in connection with a case involving an unregistered luxury vehicle. The court was informed that Lohan Ratwatte is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Colombo. Former Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, appearing for Lohan Ratwatte, requested support for the writ more..

Nov 19 (AD) The nomination process for National List MP positions within the NDF and SJB has escalated into internal turmoil, with fierce competition for limited seats. NDF only secured two seats and the SJB five seats through the National List in the recent general election. The crisis deepened following the nomination of Ravi Karunanayake’s name in the Gazette last night (as a National List MP for the NDF. The nomination was reportedly made to the EC by the NDF more..

Nov 19 (EN) Sri Lankan students studying at US colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 academic year increased by 10 percent, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, the US Embassy in Colombo said. “This reflects a growing trend of SL students seeking world-class education in the US and underscores the robust educational ties between the two nations, as well as more..

Nov 19 (FT) There are, it is said jocularly in circles where wit is observational of everyone else but oneself, three types of people: those who make things happen, those who watch while it is happening, and those who wonder: what happened? What happened was that the threefold cord which is not quickly broken snapped suddenly after ever-increasing tension over the years. It resulted in a tectonic shift in the plate of local politics as perhaps un-witnessed in some senses these more..

Nov 19 (DM) The outbreak of Meningococcal disease at the Sri Lanka Army Recruit Training School in Vedditalativu is under control, Director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) said. 25 recruits have been hospitalized, with one in critical condition, while over 450 soldiers remain under quarantine as a precaution. Director Dr. Aruna Sandanayake said that a critically ill recruit is currently receiving treatment at the ICC of the NIID in Angoda. more..

Nov 19 (AM) A cash van carrying approximately Rs. 75 million was carjacked in Minuwangoda on November 18, with the van's driver suspected of being behind the theft. The vehicle, which belongs to a Cash in Transit service, was stolen under mysterious circumstances, and authorities believe the driver may have orchestrated the heist. The Police have launched a widespread search for the suspect and are urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid in locating more..

Nov 19 (FT) The Chamber of Marine Industries of SL (CMISL) unveils a visionary five-year strategic plan designed to transform the nation’s maritime industry. This ambitious initiative focuses on fostering strategic partnerships, developing critical infrastructure, and implementing key regulatory reforms. By 2029, the plan aims to generate $ 2 billion in revenue, solidifying Sri Lanka’s position as a premier maritime hub in the Indian Ocean. Leveraging the nation’s membership more..

Nov 19 (AD) The appointment of the new Secretary to the PM, the Cabinet Secretary and Secretaries for 16 Ministries was held at the Presidential Secretariat today. The ceremony was officiated by the Secretary to the Prez, Dr. Nandika Kumanayake. The list of appointees is as follows: Mr. G.P Saputhanthri - Secretary to the PM; Mr. W.D.M. J Fernando - Secretary to the Cabinet; Prof. Kapila Perera - Ministry of Transport, more..

Nov 19 (TM) SL’s construction industry is poised for a gradual recovery, anticipating growth opportunities in tourism, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and international projects, according to stakeholders. However, despite these possibilities, the sector continues to struggle somewhat, with growth at a very slow pace due to the inactivity of the industry. Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne shared insights from a recent discussion with the Govt and more..

Nov 19 (CT) Elections Commissioner General has announced that the financial allocations for the upcoming Local Govt and Provincial Council elections will be included in the Interim Budget, which is expected to be presented to Parliament in December. However, he also said that discussions regarding the specific dates for these elections remain unresolved. Ratnayake noted that the Govt has yet to decide whether to prioritise Local Govt Elections or Provincial Council Elections. more..

Nov 19 (TM) SL’s top three private banks’ non-performing loan (NPL) ratios have improved between 3% and 5%, indicating an overall improvement in economic activity in the low-interest rate environment, according to their quarterly financial statements. Accordingly, the Q3 financial statement of the banks showed an overall reduction in the stage 3 loan ratios and impairment charges in the quarter that ended on 30 Sept. more..

Nov 19 (CSM) In a year of major elections worldwide, one consistent theme so far has been a desire for more accountability in governance. Voters have tossed out incumbents, defied autocrats, and forced political rivals into partnerships. In particular, young people have demanded better economic performance. One election stands out on that last note. In SL last week, citizens elected a new Parliament with one party winning a majority large enough to make reforms without opposition. more..

Nov 19 (PTI) SL President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will visit India at the invitation of the Indian govt in mid-December, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said on Monday. He will call on PM Narendra Modi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who became the first foreign dignitary to call on Dissanayake when he was elected Prez in September had extended the invitation. Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka in October since the NPP govt led by Dissanayake came to power on Sept 23. more..

Nov 19 (AD) The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadheera, clarified that a MP is not paid a salary but is entitled to an allowance. She explained that currently an MP is entitled to an allowance of almost Rs. 54,000. Apart from this, they are also entitled to an attendance allowance of Rs 2,500 for the days when parliamentary sessions are held and an allowance of Rs 2,500 for attending committee meetings held on days when the parliamentary sessions are not held. more..

Nov 19 (DN) The Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards 2024, organized by Women in Management (WIM), was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Nov 7, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women leaders from 23 countries. This landmark event recognized the contributions of women across industries, showcasing the impact of their work on both society and the global economy. As a SL-born initiative, the Top50 Awards have grown into a global brand over past 14 yrs, more..

Nov 19 (DM) NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa claimed that organizations like Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) have come forward to demand racist, religious and separatist demands. He said that he believes that the extraordinary votes received in the North is not only a vote against racism but also a vote against separatism. "By electing the NPP, which includes JVP, instead of the pro-separatist TNA, Tamil people more..

Nov 19 (FT) Oceans. Deserts. Rivers. Valleys. The skies. The sun. Mountains. Waves. Sea-shells. Sand. Earth. Mud. Grass. Shrubs. Trees. Forests. Fruits. The vegetation. Food. The breeze. The bounty. In SL we are surrounded by almost all of these, with the exception of deserts, living as we are in a lush and diverse country. Yet, how many of us immerse ourselves in these bountiful wonders? Have we cared to glance up at the skies or dip our feet in the frilled rush of the seas… more..

Nov 19 (TH) My country has lived through four centuries of colonization, three decades of civil war and terrorist attacks incited by disruptive ethnic, religious, and linguistic policies, and in 2022, a severe economic crisis caused by decades of poor governance by a family-led regime. I started working in the visual arts in 2018, wanting to find answers as to how Sri Lanka’s art ecosystem can engage audiences when it seems to be one of the last things on people’s minds. more..

Nov 19 (CI) Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya has been named in SL's squad for the two Tests in South Africa, more than two years after he last played a Test. Offspinner Nishan Peiris, who made his Test debut against NZ in September, has also been included. Ramesh Mendis, the offspin-bowling allrounder, misses out on selection, though he claimed six wickets in his only Test appearance this year. Ramesh, additionally, can bat. more..

Nov 19 (NW) Former Canadian High Commissioner to SL David Mckinnon has called out the lack of coverage on SL’s Nov 14 parliamentary elections by Canadian Press. In a statement on social media, Mckinnon said that given other political events in recent days, it is no surprise that the extraordinary results of SL’s Nov 14 parliamentary elections did not dominate headlines in Canada, but they should get some attention, as SL has at other times, especially when trauma is involved. more..

Nov 19 (EN) Ambika Samuel, the first Malayaha woman to secure a seat in SL’s parliamentary election, says others from her community will follow. “I am the first to enter politics from here, and my brothers and sisters will undoubtedly follow,” Samuel told reporters. Samuel was elected to the parliament at the general election held on Nov 14 from the Badulla district representing the NPP party. She is the daughter of plantation worker parents, and has been a grassroot level social activist. more..

Nov 20 (CT) Following the landslide victory of the NPP in the 2024 General Elections, yesterday marked the swearing-in of the new Cabinet comprising 23 members. Later this week, on 21 Nov, the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka will take place, signalling a new era for the political landscape of the country. This new era starts with many firsts. This General Election marked the first time a single political party secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament. more..

Nov 20 (DM) SL, as the late MP R. Sampanthan was to say is at a critical juncture. First it voted out, its war-winning Prez -Mahinda Rajapaksa. Next, in 2022 it chased out past Prez Gotabaya also a Rajapaksa, whose economic policies or lack of them, drove the country into defaulting its int'l debt payment. In September this year at the Prez elections, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the left-leaning leader of the NPP -a coalition of the JVP and its affiliated student and worker unions more..

Nov 20 (DM) In January this year, the Children and Young Persons (Amd) Act No. 39 of 2022 was amended to extend protection of all children up to age 18. The Govt repealed article 71(6) of the Children and Young Persons Ordinance 1939 which confirmed the right of any parent, teacher or other person having lawful control or charge of a child … to administer punishment to him. Even though such milestones have been acknowledged, more..

Nov 20 (DM) Whether you voted for the victorious NPP/JVP alliance, you didn’t’ or stayed at home, as did a good number of Opposition voters, there is no gainsaying that the just concluded general election of 2024 is a milestone. It is not just the sheer scale of the victory, though numbers are mind-boggling too. The NPP won 159 seats in Parliament, the most resounding victory since the proportional representation came into effect. But numbers tell only a partial story. more..

Nov 20 (TM) With SL pushing for change in the political landscape and its culture, the time may be right to review the entry of lawmakers to the Parliament via the National List. Sri Lankans have sent a clear message that they want a change in politics and the style of governance. While it is yet premature to predict how the newly-crowned JVP-led NPP will approach governance, there is a no denying that the public has overwhelmingly voted to replace legacy political figures, dynasties and more..

Nov 20 (TM) The NPP achieved a historic victory in the Parliamentary General Election held on 14 Nov, marking a significant shift in SL’s political landscape. Winning a whopping 159 out of 225 Parliamentary seats, the NPP gained strong support from voters across the country – from the North to the South – who were eager for a system change and fresh leadership. This victory came after a years-long campaign that focused on more..

Nov 20 (DM) Among the 21-member Cabinet of Ministers sworn in before Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake there are 13 new faces in the parliament assuming responsibility for their respective portfolios. Many would agree that the newly appointed Cabinet, unprecedentedly, is the most qualified in the Sri Lankan political history. In comparison to previous govts, the new cabinet comprises individuals who are Uni academics and reputed professionals. more..

Nov 20 (CT) The first PM DS Senanayake had it in good measure, among the minority communities. It waned till 2022, particularly among the Tamils. The current Prez, even as he sought to give it a fresh breath, created the scope and opportunity in the Sept 2024 elections. In the General elections of Nov 2024, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake had made bold to throw in the gauntlet to secure the firmest grip on the nation’s polity. What commenced seemingly as a toehold in the Northern turf, more..