November 17, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet Ministers of Sri Lanka’s newly formed government will officially take their oaths tomorrow (18) at 10:00 a.m. before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, a statement by the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
This marks the next significant step following the National People’s Power (NPP)’s resounding victory in the 2024 General Election.
Tilvin Silva, a senior spokesman for the NPP, previously revealed that the Cabinet would be limited to 25 members or fewer, with ministries and responsibilities assigned based on a “scientific and rational” methodology.
This streamlined approach is aimed at enhancing efficiency and ensuring accountability in governance.
The inaugural session of Sri Lanka’s Tenth Parliament, comprising members elected on 14 November, is set to convene on November 21, as outlined in an Extraordinary Gazette issued earlier this year.
The session will formalise the new parliamentary composition and set the stage for legislative proceedings under the new administration.
The NPP achieved a landslide victory in the election, securing a two-thirds majority with an unprecedented 159 parliamentary seats. This triumph granted the party a strong mandate to implement its policies and pursue significant reforms across various sectors.
The NPP’s MP pool’s representation of society is significant, providing space at the lawmaking body for people of diverse communities, most notably those deemed marginalised.
The NPP’s victory in the 2024 Polls sets another bombshell in the Sri Lankan political landscape with its winning of the Northern province, an event occurred for the very first time in Sri Lanka under the current Westminster system where a party rooted in leftist and socialist ideologies gained the trust of the Tamil community of the island nation.
November 17, Colombo (LNW): The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) has issued a letter to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging him to prioritise long-overdue measures critical for reconciliation, justice, and equitable development in Sri Lanka.
The letter expressed concern over the government’s opposition to UNHRC Resolution 51/1, which is deemed a pivotal mechanism for accountability and justice.
In its message, the CTC criticised the rejection of international oversight, cautioning that such a stance risks deepening mistrust amongst communities that have endured historical injustices.
The organisation highlighted that supporting the resolution could serve as a critical step in restoring confidence both locally and globally.
The letter also presented six actionable recommendations to promote reconciliation and trust amongst Sri Lanka’s diverse communities:
Release Political Prisoners: Free all remaining political detainees to address longstanding grievances.
Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA): Fulfil the campaign promise to eliminate this controversial law.
Return Occupied Lands: Restore privately-owned lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces currently held by the military.
Protect Tamil Religious and Cultural Rights: Ensure Tamil worship sites remain safeguarded from encroachment and halt the construction of new Buddhist temples in these regions.
Implement the 13th Amendment: Expedite provincial council elections and ensure meaningful power devolution until a new constitution is agreed upon.
Reform Security in the North and East: Scale down military presence and disengage the armed forces from commercial enterprises to stimulate local economic growth.
The CTC underscored that addressing these issues is vital to fostering trust, delivering justice, and achieving lasting peace.
The organisation reiterated its readiness to support Sri Lanka in its efforts towards reconciliation, whilst warning that continued inaction could undermine the credibility of the government’s commitments both domestically and internationally.
The letter concludes with a call for President Dissanayake to prioritise these measures to ensure a fair and inclusive future for all Sri Lankans. The CTC, along with international stakeholders, pledged to closely monitor progress on these critical issues.
Full Statement:
Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dear President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,
We wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations once again on your recent electoral victory. Your leadership represents an important milestone, and we believe it offers a crucial opportunity for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka. As an organization that has long been committed to the betterment of the people in Sri Lanka through various initiatives, the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) stands ready to contribute to this important work. However, we are concerned that certain long-overdue actions, which are critical for reconciliation and justice, have not yet been taken.
In this regard, the decision to oppose UNHRC Resolution 51/1 is particularly troubling. This resolution, supported by the international community, is a crucial mechanism for accountability and justice in Sri Lanka. By opposing it, your government signals a disregard for long-standing grievances and for the principles of justice and human rights. Rejecting international oversight will not provide a sustainable solution but will instead deepen mistrust among those who have suffered from the past. If your administration is committed to genuine justice, supporting the resolution should be seen as a pathway to restore confidence both locally and globally. We respectfully urge your government to reconsider your stance on this matter.
We also propose the following immediate steps to build trust, promote reconciliation, and ensure equitable development across the country:
1. Release all remaining political prisoners. 2. Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as outlined in your campaign manifesto. 3. Return all privately-owned lands currently occupied by the Sri Lankan military in the Northern and Eastern provinces, and cease any further illegal land acquisitions. 4. Uphold the religious rights of Tamils by safeguarding their worship sites from encroachments and preventing the construction of new Buddhist temples to ensure the preservation of the cultural and religious heritage of Tamils. 5. Fully implement the 13th Amendment and hold provincial council elections without delay until a new constitution, accepted by all communities, is enacted. Devolution of power is essential to ensuring local governance and empowering the regions. 6. Reform the security sector in the Northern and Eastern provinces, bringing it to levels consistent with the rest of the country. The military’s involvement in commercial activities, such as farms, hotels, and bakeries, is stifling local enterprise. We urge your government to discontinue these ventures to allow local businesses and farmers to compete fairly.
We strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka to take immediate and concrete action on these pressing matters. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring justice, strengthening trust among all communities, and fostering long-term stability. Continued inaction will only undermine confidence in the government’s commitment to equality and fairness, both within the country and internationally.
The Canadian Tamil Congress, alongside global stakeholders, remains dedicated to supporting the rights and well-being of all citizens in Sri Lanka. We are closely monitoring developments and expect to see meaningful progress. We trust that your government will prioritize these actions to ensure a more just and equitable future for all Sri Lankans.
Thank You.
Yours Sincerely, Kumar Ratnam President, Canadian Tamil Congress.
November 17, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and North-western provinces during the evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (17).
Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, with showers being expected to occur at few places in the Northern and Eastern provinces during the morning.
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 minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Hambanthota via Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be Easterly or North-easterly in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be (15-30) kmph in the sea areas around the island.
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will appoint a new Cabinet on tomorrow (November 18), following the NPP’s historic two-thirds majority victory with 159 seats in the 2024 Parliamentary Election: Limited to 23–25 ministries, the Cabinet will feature a “scientific allocation” of portfolios: The 10th Parliament’s inaugural session is scheduled for November 21, as per an earlier gazette notification.
The United National Party (UNP), led by ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, decides to contest all upcoming elections under its historic ‘elephant’ symbol: UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena confirms this strategy, aimed at reinforcing party stability and direction: The symbol, central to the UNP’s identity, remains a key element of its voter recognition.
Leader of the SLPP ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa says the SLPP received its anticipated votes in the election: welcoms the NPP’s rise as a fresh opportunity for leadership: affirms respect for the public mandate, dismisses retirement from politics, and confirms “no current talks” with Ranil Wickremesinghe: expresses sympathy for Wickremesinghe’s electoral outcome while asserting SLPP’s resilience.
An extraordinary gazette was issued declaring the names of all elected public representatives in the 2024 Parliamentary Election: These include 141 MPs from the NPP, which gained a landslide two-thirds victory, 35 MPs from the SJB, 3 MPs from the NDF, 2 MPs from the SLPP, 7 MPs from the ITAK, 2 MPs from the SLMC, and 6 MPs representing other political parties and groups.
Ambika Samuel, the first woman Tamil MP representing the plantation community living in line rooms elected through the new ruling party NPP, calls for greater youth and women’s involvement in politics: views her entry as a breakthrough for young talent from the plantation sector and advocates for breaking societal limitations, enabling more women to rise to leadership roles in Parliament and beyond: Samuel has been a strong critic against the traditional Tamil political giants in the upcountry region, calling for renaissance by breaking the wheel of corrupt politics.
The 2024 General Election saw a 10% drop in voter turnout compared to September’s Presidential Election, with 68.93% participation and 5% of ballots rejected (667,240 votes): Of 11,815,246 votes cast, 11,148,006 were valid: Election Commissioner Saman Sri Rathnayake stressed compliance with expense report submission and clarified national list MP eligibility, noting 3.5 million citizens abstained in the Presidential poll.
Sri Lanka’s 2024 Parliamentary Election set a record with 21 women elected, surpassing the previous high of 13: The National People’s Power (NPP) secured 19 seats, including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) won two: Additionally, the NPP plans to appoint three women via its national list, marking progress in women’s political representation.
The Railways Department arranges special train services on November 17 and 18 to facilitate post-election and long weekend travel to Colombo: These include routes between Colombo Fort and key cities like Badulla, Kandy, and Matara, alongside regular schedules: The Samudra Devi will depart Matara at 3:50 a.m., with office trains running as usual.
USS Michael Murphy of the United States Navy arrives at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit: The Sri Lanka Navy welcoms the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions: The 155.2m – long Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer is manned by a crew of 333 and is commanded by Commander Jonathan B. Greenwald: set to depart the island today (17).
The Constitutional Council confirms Justice Murdu Fernando as Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice, the second woman in the role after Shirani Bandaranayake in 2011: With over 30 years at the Attorney General’s Department, Fernando rose through key legal ranks before becoming a Supreme Court Justice in 2018: She initially took oath as Acting Chief Justice in October 2024.
November 16, Colombo (LNW): Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), stated that Thursday’s Parliamentary Election results symbolize the electoral mandate of the March 2022 youth uprising, the ‘Aragalaya.’
Gajanayake noted that this marks the first time a single political party has secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament since Sri Lanka adopted the preferential electoral system in 1989, a feat he described as highly challenging under the current system.
He attributed the National People’s Power (NPP) party’s overwhelming success to its steadfast refusal to accept political crossovers and its inclusive policies, which resonated with Sri Lankans across all communities—irrespective of caste, creed, or ethnicity. The NPP became the first party to win voter confidence nationwide, spanning the North, South, East, and West.
Gajanayake urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to prioritize long-overdue constitutional reforms, which he said are eagerly anticipated by the people.
November 16, Colombo (LNW): Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulations to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday following the National People’s Power (NPP) party’s decisive victory in Thursday’s Parliamentary Election.
“This is a testament to the confidence and trust that the people of Sri Lanka have reposed in his vision and leadership,” the Pakistani Prime Minister stated in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its close and enduring ties with Sri Lanka, which are rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a history of cooperation.
In response, President Anura Kumara expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sharif and assured that his government would continue to collaborate with Pakistan to strengthen the bilateral relationship for the mutual benefit of the two nations and their peoples.
November 16, Colombo (LNW): The Indian High Commission in Colombo marked Ill Poya Day yesterday by presenting the tenth edition of its mobile Buddhist exhibition at the Hendala Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Hendala, Wattala, Gampaha.
This exhibition celebrates India’s rich Buddhist heritage through a series of photographs depicting key episodes from the life of the Buddha and showcasing renowned Buddhist pilgrimage sites across India, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Ladakh, Andhra Pradesh, and Kashmir.
The initiative, launched earlier this year on Navam Poya at the Kalutara Bodhi premises, has brought its message of spiritual and cultural connection to numerous Buddhist temples across Sri Lanka. Notable locations include Sri Sambodhi Maha Vihara Temple in Colombo, Parama Dhamma Chethiya Pirivena in Ratmalana, and Dharmaraja Pirivena in Matale.
As the exhibition reaches its tenth stop in Wattala, it continues to receive enthusiastic responses from devotees, highlighting the deep spiritual and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka. The series serves as a testament to the shared heritage of the two nations, fostering stronger people-to-people connections and mutual understanding.
November 16, Colombo (LNW):The new government has announced its decision to conduct audits on all State institutions following its establishment. These audits are intended to thoroughly investigate allegations of fraud and corruption that may have occurred during previous administrations.
In a decisive move, the government has pledged to enforce the law against any State institution found to have engaged in corrupt or fraudulent practices. Furthermore, incomplete investigations will be expedited under strict supervision and oversight to ensure accountability and transparency.
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): Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary and National People’s Power (NPP) founding member Tilvin Silva declared that the NPP’s resounding victory in the 2024 Parliamentary Election, securing a two-thirds majority, marks a turning point in Sri Lanka’s political history.
Addressing the media at the NPP Headquarters in Pelawatte, Battaramulla, Silva emphasized that the sweeping mandate reflects the people’s trust and responsibility entrusted to the NPP. He assured that the new government would prioritize fulfilling public expectations and advancing socio-economic development, steering clear of bolstering party power or serving partisan interests.
Silva celebrated the NPP’s inclusive victory across all regions, including the North, East, and Upcountry areas, highlighting the rejection of divisive politics, racism, and elite dominance. He criticized the past rulers who prioritized luxury and privilege over public welfare, vowing that such practices would end under NPP governance.
“We are not rulers; we are here to serve the people,” Silva stated. He reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to rebuilding the economy and implementing key election promises, including introducing a new constitution and abolishing the executive presidential system.
Silva also noted the significant growth in voter support, with the NPP garnering 1.2 million more votes than in the recent Presidential Election. He attributed this to the public’s rejection of false accusations and their endorsement of the NPP’s vision.
He further highlighted the transformation in the electoral culture, crediting the NPP for reducing violence, rigging, and malpractices, and creating a campaign focused on sincerity and collective effort.
“This victory belongs to the people. It is a comprehensive win that transcends divisions of territory, ethnicity, and religion,” Silva said.
NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, along with Executive Committee members attorney Sunil Watagala and Savithri Paulraj, also addressed the media, reiterating the party’s dedication to building a united and progressive Sri Lanka.
