Ceylonmirror - The most trusted news source

Tamil representation in Sri Lanka parliament from the Colombo District is the need of the hour, Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) leader Senthil Thondaman says. In the recent parliamentary elections, Tamil representatives have been elected from all the upcountry districts, but Tamil representation has been lost in Colombo and Kandy districts, Thondaman told the media. In last week's election, three Tamil representatives were expected to be elected in the Colombo district, but none was elected, the former governor pointed…

Ukraine used U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory, taking advantage of newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the war's 1,000th day. Russia said its forces shot down five of six missiles fired at a military facility in the Bryansk region. Debris of one hit the facility, starting a fire swiftly put out and caused no casualties or damage, it said. Ukraine said it struck a Russian arms depot about 110 km (70 miles) inside Russia, an attack that caused secondary…

Ambika Samuel, the first Malayaha woman to secure a seat in Sri Lanka’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 said. Samuel was elected to the parliament at the general election held on November 14 from the Badulla district, representing the National People’s Power party. She is the daughter of a plantation worker's parents and has been a grassroots social activist. “I studied…

The first Cabinet meeting of the new government was held today (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During the meeting, Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, was appointed as the Cabinet Spokesperson for the new government.

Aruni Ranaraja has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, replacing Aruni Wijewardena. A seasoned career diplomat with over 25 years of experience, Ranaraja has held several key positions in Sri Lanka’s diplomatic service, bringing a wealth of expertise to her new role. Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake retained Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana under the new cabinet. Siriwardana was appointed as the Finance Secretary by former president Gotabaya…

Russia vetoed a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Sudan's military and paramilitary forces and the delivery of humanitarian aid to millions in desperate need. Russia's ally China supported the resolution sponsored by the UK and Sierra Leone, along with all other UN Security Council members, but Moscow's veto doomed the measure. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, who chaired the meeting, told the council afterward, "This Russian veto is a disgrace. … While Britain works with our African…

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) general secretary N. Anand on Monday (November 18, 2024) said the party intended to form a government on its own in Tamil Nadu and dismissed speculations that it would form an alliance with the AIADMK in the 2026 Assembly election. Terming a news report published in a Tamil daily as “baseless”, after it claimed that the party floated by actor Vijay would ally with the AIADMK, he said: “At the first State conference of the TVK, the party leader delivered a clear and detailed speech…

Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar congratulated Vijitha Herath on his re-appointment as the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Felicitations to Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath on his re-appointment." The Indian External Affairs Minister noted that he looks forward to working together and further strengthening the “historic bonds of friendship” and deepening the wide-ranging partnership India and Sri Lanka have, for the mutual benefit of each other. In the…

Focus on Social Spending: Tackling Child Poverty, Malnutrition, and Supporting the Differently Abled IMF Program Hinges on Rebuilding Public Trust in Governance The government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to advance Sri Lanka’s economic recovery within the context of the mandate. Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer and the IMF delegation met with President Dissanayake and key ministers of the newly-formed government at the…

• Cabinet Comprises 21 Members • Defence, Finance, Planning, and Digital Economy Ministries under the President • Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training Ministries Assigned to the Prime Minister The new National People's Power (NPP) government Cabinet was sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat. The cabinet comprises 21 ministers, with President Dissanayake responsible for the Defense, Finance, Planning, and Digital Economy portfolios. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya…

Actor Kasthuri, who was arrested by a police team from Tamil Nadu in Hyderabad on Saturday for her alleged “hate speech against Telugus”, was remanded in judicial custody in Chennai till Nov. 29. The police team on Sunday brought Kasthuri to Chennai. It took her to the Chintadripet All Women Police Station, where she was recently questioned about her controversial remarks at a public meeting. Later, she was taken to the Egmore Court and produced before a magistrate, who remanded her in judicial custody. The case…

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by its Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Peter Breuer, has arrived in Sri Lanka. The team will remain in the country until November 23 and, during their stay, will conduct the third review of Sri Lanka’s economic reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The team, led by IMF Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer, will assess Sri Lanka’s economic policies, progress on ongoing reforms, and the implementation of previous agreements with the…

Kusal Mendis hit a patient 74 not out as Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by three wickets under the DLS method with six balls remaining in the rain-hit second ODI. Sri Lanka took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final game also at Pallekele on Tuesday. After rain disrupted that game at Dambulla, Sri Lanka won the first one-day international by 45 runs — also by DLS. It was Sri Lanka’s fifth ODI series win at home in 2024 after beating Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, India, and West Indies. Sri Lanka…

The 2024 parliamentary election has marked a historic shift in Sri Lanka’s legislature, with nearly 150 out of the 196 elected Members of Parliament (MPs) being newcomers. A notable 146 MPs elected to the Parliament this year are first-time representatives in Parliament. The National People’s Power (NPP) emerged as the dominant force, securing 141 parliamentary seats at the district level following a landslide victory in the 2024 General Election, which was held on 14 November. Among these, 130 MPs are reported to be…

India's Tata Electronics has agreed to buy a majority stake in Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron's only iPhone plant in India, forming a new joint venture that strengthens Tata's position as an Apple supplier, two sources told Reuters. Under the deal announced internally last week, Tata will hold 60% and run daily operations under the joint venture, while Pegatron will keep the rest and provide technical support, said the two sources. Tata declined to comment, while Apple and Pegatron did not respond to Reuters…

Pope Francis, for the first time, tackled claims of Israel's ongoing "genocide" of Palestinians in Gaza in a forthcoming book, urging further investigation into whether Israel's actions meet the definition. Titled "Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World", the book includes his latest and most forthright intervention into the more than year-long war sparked by the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. "According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide," the pontiff wrote in…

The first cargo ship in decades to sail directly from Pakistan to Bangladesh successfully unloaded its containers, port officials said. The 182-meter (597-foot) long container ship — the Panama-flagged Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan — had sailed from Pakistan's Karachi to Bangladesh's Chittagong. Top Chittagong port official Omar Faruq confirmed that the ship had unloaded its cargo on Nov. 11 before departing. Pakistan's envoy to Dhaka, Syed Ahmed Maroof, sparked widespread discussion on social media in Bangladesh when he said…

The new government’s Cabinet Ministers will be sworn in tomorrow (Nov. 18) at 10:00 a.m. before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD). National People’s Power (NPP) senior spokesman Tilvin Silva previously announced that the Cabinet would be streamlined to 25 members or fewer, with a scientific approach to assigning ministry responsibilities. Meanwhile, the inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament, composed of members…

The Ceylon Chamber (CCC) has congratulated the National People’s Power (NPP) led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on securing an overwhelming mandate and majority in the Parliamentary election. In a statement, the CCC said: “The mandate of the people reflects the united expectations toward governance, democratic values, anti-corruption, and uplifting of the economy.” As the premier business Chamber in Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Chamber stands ready to collaborate with the new administration to foster economic…

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided to nominate Namal Rajapaksa as an MP through the party’s National List, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said. Kariyawasam announced this at a press briefing. The SLPP managed to secure only 3 seats including one bonus seat (national list) in the Parliament through the results of the 2024 General Election, which was held on Nov, 14. The number of total votes obtained by the SLPP, once the largest party in Parliament from 2020 to 2024, was only 350,429…