The international community should support Sri Lanka in building a peaceful, multi ethnic, green and prosperous Sri Lanka, Norwegian diplomat and former politician Erik Solheim said.

He said in a message posted on X that it is only two weeks since Sri Lanka elected Anura Kumara Dissanayaka as President but he has used the time well.

"He got the diplomacy exactly right. First meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, then the Chinese ambassador, signalling that India is most important for Sri Lanka, then comes China next. Later he met ambassadors from everywhere else, the West, Russia and more. This is a clear signal of a 'Sri Lanka first' foreign policy. Immediately upon swearing in he visited the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and was blessed by the mahanayakes. Later he met with Tamil and Muslim political and religious leaders. His insistence on creating a Sri Lanka for all ethnic communities is strong," he said.

Solheim said the President has reached out to the business community underlining that he can create a prosperous Sri Lanka and bring the resources needed to improve education, health and opportunities for the poor only by working closely with business.

"He brings a non-corrupt core of people to state power. By reducing luxury car allowances for ministers, he signals a more modest life style for leaders. None of this will by itself solve all problems in Sri Lanka. It will not calm all skepticism to a left wing leader among diplomats. But it is for sure a good start. Everyone should now roll up their sleeves and help him build a peaceful, multi ethnic, green and prosperous Sri Lanka," he further said.

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.