President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to apologize to the Tamil people of the North following controversial remarks made during his recent visit to Jaffna. Speaking at a rally in Udupitti, Jaffna, President Wickremesinghe criticized Dissanayake’s comments, accusing him of using coercion to pressure the Northern population.

"My friend Anura Kumara made a troubling statement, implying that the people of Jaffna could be seen as opposing change if they do not align with the South," Wickremesinghe said. "This is a clear threat, a tactic often employed by the JVP, and I guarantee that the people of the North will be fully protected by the law."

The President further urged Dissanayake to apologize not only to the Tamil people of the North but also to the people of the South, stating that the JVP leader had inappropriately used them in his rhetoric.

Wickremesinghe also outlined several development initiatives for the North, including programs to modernize agriculture, boost tourism, and transform Jaffna into a digital economic hub.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said.

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Two fishermen were seriously injured and hospitalised after a parcel floating on the sea exploded while they were checking it off the coast of Mannar.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka today. Following are 11 key points from the President’s Government Policy Statement;

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala informed Parliament that nomination of Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been accepted as the Opposition Leader of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

National People's Power (NPP) Gampaha MP Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala was elected as the Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya proposed his name, and the nomination was confirmed by Vijitha Herath.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3. The adjournment followed the President’s delivery of the government’s policy statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament earlier today.