The Indian Navy's ship, INS Kalpeni, arrived in Colombo today, the Indian High Commission said. The ship was warmly welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions.

The Commanding Officer, Commander Sunil Kulhari, will call on the Commander of the Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, during the stay.

INS Kalpeni is a Car Nicobar-class Waterjet FAC of the Indian Navy, commissioned on 14 October 2010. The ship is named after Kalpeni Island in the Lakshadweep group of islands. It is based in Kochi with the primary role of coastal surveillance and defense.

The ship specializes in anti-smuggling, vessel boarding, search and seizure, as well as search and rescue operations. The ship is on a port call from 19-21 October 2024, termed as an Operational Turnaround. The ship has brought essential technical support tools, which will be handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy. In addition to taking on replenishments, the ship’s crew will visit places of importance in and around Colombo.

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.