- A rehearsal for the ceremonial opening of the Tenth Parliament was held ahead of its First Session on November 21: The session will begin at 10:00 am, with the election of the Speaker, taking oaths, and the appointment of the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will present the Government’s Policy Statement at 11:30 am: The event will be conducted without military honours or recitations, and distinguished guests, including diplomats, have been invited.
- Hirunika Premachandra says she is eligible for a National List slot with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) if the party chooses to allocate one to a woman: highlights her significant contribution, having secured over 30,000 preferential votes, and emphasises her dedicated work for the party.
- A four-member committee has been formed to investigate the appointment of Ravi Karunanayake as an MP from the National List of the New Democratic Front (NDF): The committee, led by ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, includes legal and academic experts: It will submit its findings within three weeks, following controversy over Karunanayake’s nomination, which was criticised by NDF Alliance members as arbitrary and illegal.
- The Sri Lankan government approves the import of up to 70,000 metric tonnes of Nadu Rice to address the local rice shortage: Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe announces the rice will be imported through the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) and the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation, following Cabinet approval.
- A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court claiming that the issuance of liquor licences by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and other officials, between July 26 and September 21, 2024, violated the Excise Act: The petitioners allege these licences were issued arbitrarily and for political gain during the presidential election period: seek investigations into the irregularities and loss of revenue from the process.
- HRV Global Life Sciences and New Horizon Global Pharma are exploring expansion into Sri Lanka, viewing it as a key growth market in South Asia: aims to support Sri Lanka’s goal of becoming self-sufficient in pharmaceutical production by leveraging advanced technologies like AI and blockchain: seeks to optimise the supply chain, enhance transparency, and contribute to the country’s economic growth and healthcare access through potential partnerships and technology transfers.
- Erik Solheim, former Norwegian peace facilitator, describes the National People’s Power’s (NPP) electoral victory as an “earthquake” in Sri Lankan politics, highlighting the party’s strong performance in Tamil-majority regions: attributes this to widespread anger over corruption and economic hardship: praises NPP’s inclusive approach and urges President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to focus on economic and ethnic inclusivity to foster long-term stability and growth.
- The Ministry of Education confirms the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination will be held as scheduled from November 25 to December 20, despite requests to delay it: emphasises all preparations are complete, and changing the schedule would disrupt the academic calendar, affecting the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) exam and other related assessments.
- The Ministry of Health and Mannar Police launch investigations into the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child at Mannar District General Hospital on November 19: The 27-year-old woman, admitted for childbirth, went into labour but was pronounced dead, along with her child: Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says a magisterial Inquiry and post-mortem examination will follow.
- The 53rd Sir John Tarbat Junior Athletic Championship, sponsored by Ritzbury, saw three new meet records on its second day at the Kotawila Sports Complex in Matara: Sinura Salgado, KWS Pabasara, and G Aloka set new records in the Boys Under-14 600m, Boys Under-12 High Jump, and Girls Under-14 600m events, respectively: The event has seen a total of seven new records so far.
