November 16, Colombo (LNW): United National Party (UNP) Chairman Vajira Abeywardena highlighted the unprecedented trust shown by voters in the North toward a political party from the South during the 2024 Parliamentary Election, calling it a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s electoral history.

“This is a very special occasion. For the first time, people in the North have placed trust in a southern political party, despite the presence of various regional parties in the North and East,” Abeywardena said.

He noted that representatives from the North joining the Cabinet as active participants in governance marks a promising step forward for national unity. “This is a victory for all Sri Lankans, and we express our happiness about it,” he added.

Abeywardena pointed out that, historically, Tamil leaders in the Cabinet represented their own parties, with Minister Douglas Devananda being an example, but not as part of a southern political party.

Looking ahead, Abeywardena mentioned plans for the UNP to contest the upcoming Local Government Election independently under the elephant symbol, avoiding coalitions. He acknowledged the low voter turnout in the recent election, attributing it to members of defeated parties and their unmet expectations.

The UNP Chairman commended the historic victory of the current President and his government, stating it creates a unique opportunity to address the nation’s challenges. “The government now has the responsibility to use this powerful mandate for the betterment of all 22 million Sri Lankans. There is no longer room to say it cannot be done,” he asserted.

Abeywardena emphasized the importance of tackling domestic and international challenges, urging Sri Lankans to allow the government the space to fulfill its promises. “We must wait and see how they deliver on the hope they have given to the people,” he concluded.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) acknowledged the people’s decision in the 2024 Parliamentary Election and expressed readiness to fully cooperate with the new government in the interest of the nation.

SJB Chairman and former Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar recognized the unprecedented mandate given to the National People’s Power (NPP) and emphasized the importance of fulfilling the promises made during the election campaign.

“There are many expectations behind this decision, and it is imperative for the government to endeavor to transform these expectations into reality,” Bakeer Markar said.

He expressed hope that the NPP government would prioritize easing the economic burden on the public and steering the country toward sustainable development. “We trust that the NPP government will provide effective solutions to the economic crisis and guide the nation onto the right track,” he added.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa conceded defeat in the 2024 Parliamentary Election and extended his congratulations to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the National People’s Power (NPP) party’s decisive win.

In a message posted on X, Rajapaksa acknowledged the NPP’s victory as a reflection of the people’s choice for a new path and fresh approach. “Wishing you success as you accept the people’s mandate and work toward the change they have sought. This marks a new path and a fresh approach chosen by the people,” he stated.

Rajapaksa reaffirmed the SLPP’s commitment to its values and to its supporters, emphasizing the importance of healthy political competition. “We remain committed to the values our supporters stand for, those who voted for us, and those who believe in our vision. We will continue to stand with you and uphold these principles,” he added.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): The BOI is in the process of turning the existing factories and the coming industries in the future into environmentally-friendly green industries. 

Thus, the BOI has started the process of converting several investment promotion zones into green industrial zones. Indsignals under the purview of the BOI are currently in the process of upgrading the machinery used in their factories to minimize the quantum of carbon emission released to the environment. 

Approval is considered by the BOI only for the use of environmentally-friendly machines for industries under the BOI, with proper guidance according to regulations.

In addition, the Environment Management Department of BOI has taken steps for internship training to be provided for students of the Faculty of Technology in collaboration with the University of Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka, with the express intent of providing theoretical and practical knowledge to new professionals entering the environment management field.

The team that completed the internship of the Environment Management Department presented their research outcomes conducted based on the BOI industries at the BOI Auditorium recently. The Director General of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Renuka M. Weerakoone chaired this proud event, and all internal department heads of BOI participated.

The Director General Renuka M. Weerakoone who spoke here, stated that the research, knowledge, and concepts of these new professionals are more important for sustainable industrial development. 

She also underscored the importance of incorporating this knowledge into the work of the BOI, and stressed the effectiveness of providing such experiences to future professionals.

This theoretical, practical, and research training for the internship students focused on several detailed aspects that are highly relevant and significant to the industrial sector in Sri Lanka. 

During this conference, guidelines to assess industrial boiler fuels for sustainable boiler operations, the development of a green rating system for a sustainable industrial zone, the calculation of the water footprint for optimising the organic latex mattress manufacturing industry were presented by the internship students of the Environment Management Department of the BOI., 

 They also displayed  the way in enhancing the calorific value and palletisation of biologically treated sludge for sustainable energy production, and assessing and reducing the carbon footprint of organic rubber mattress manufacturing—a comprehensive life cycle analysis.

1. The National People’s Power (NPP) has already secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament after winning a total of 123 seats in the House in the 2024 General Election. NPP had confirmed its majority power in parliament, which it sought during the election campaigning, after winning a whopping 16 out of the 19 available seats in the Gampaha District.
2. National People’s Power (NPP) Gampaha District Team Leader Vijitha Herath has received the highest number of preference votes in the history of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary polls with an unprecedented 716,715 votes polled at the 2024 General Election.
3. Several prominent Ministers and Members of Parliament of the former government have already lost their seat, as the results of the 2024 General Election are being released. The former MPs who have already been ousted from the 10th Parliament are as follows;Kanchana Wijesekera – Matara, Nipuna Ranawaka – Matara, Mahinda Amaraweera – Hambantota, Manusha Nanayakkara – Galle, Ramesh Pathirana – Galle. Shasheendra Rajapaksa – Monaragala, Asanka Navarathna – Kurunegala, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa – Kurunegala, Johnston Fernando – Kurunegala, Shantha Bandara – Kurunegala, D. B. Herath- Kurunegala, Pramitha Tennakoon – Matale
4. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa while conceding the defeat at the Parliamentary Election yesterday congratulated President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the 2024 Parliamentary Election which was held on Thursday. Rajapaksa in a post on X said that the NPP’s victory at the parliamentary election marks a new path and a fresh approach chosen by the people.
5. Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake said that the result achieved in Thursday’s Parliamentary Election represents the electoral mandate of the March 2022 youth uprising known as the ‘Aragalaya’.
6. United National Party (UNP) Chairman Vajira Abeywardena stated yesterday that, for the first time, the people in the North have shown unprecedented trust in a party from the South, which he views as a positive development. “This is a very special occasion in the election history of the country. The people in the north have placed trust in a political party in the South even though different political parties with various forces are operating in the North and East, he said.
7. The new government has decided to conduct audits on all State institutions following its establishment. These audits aim to thoroughly investigate alleged fraud and corruption that may have occurred during previous administrations.
8. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) while acknowledging the decision made by the people yesterday said that the party is ready to give its fullest co-operation to the government in the interest of the people and the country. SJB Chairman and former Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar said the people have given an unprecedented mandate to the National People’s Power to fulfill the commitment made to them during the election campaign.
9. Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary and National People’s Power (NPP) founding member Tilvin Silva yesterday said, with a huge mandate, the people of Sri Lanka have entrusted his party with a great responsibility and assured that the NPP will live up to people’s expectations.
10. Sri Lanka has made a strong impression at the ongoing 6th Carrom World Cup in the United States, securing two bronze medals in the Men’s and Women’s Doubles events. In the Men’s Doubles, Sri Lanka’s Shaheed Hilmy, the team captain, and Anas Ahamed clinched the bronze after a close contest. Both players are former Royal College Colombo students, with Hilmy also representing the Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning during thundershowers as the atmospheric conditions are favorable further for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island.

Showers or thundershowers will occur in the most parts of the island after 2.00 p.m.

Showers may occur at few places in the Northern and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota district during the morning too.

Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.