resident Anura Kumara Dissanayake has retained the Ministries of Defence, Finance and Economic Development and the Digital Economy. The new cabinet of 22 ministers was sworn in this morning at the Presidential Secretariat.

1. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake - Minister of Defence, Finance and Economic Development and Digital Economy

2. PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya – Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

3. Vijitha Herath – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

4. Prof. Chandana Abeyrathna - Minister of State Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government

5. Harshana Nanayakkara - Minister of Justice and National Integration

6. Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs

7. K.D. Lalkantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation

8. Anura Karunathilake - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing

9. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries

10. Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

11. Sunil Hadunnetti - Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development

12. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

13. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation

14. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

15. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media

16. Samantha Vidyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

17. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs

18. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development

19. Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology

20. Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando - Minister of Labour

21. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy

22. Dr. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment

The Ministry of Health has initiated an investigation into the tragic death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child at the Mannar District General Hospital. According to police reports, the deceased, a 27-year-old resident of Mannar, was admitted to the hospital for childbirth on Monday night. In addition, the Mannar Police have also launched their own investigations into the incident.

The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) of the Parliamentary Opposition expressed hope for power devolution, land rights including the release of military-occupied private land, and justice for alleged war era crimes which stem from the conflict, following the election of a new Government.

The Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadheera clarified that a Member of Parliament is not paid a salary but is entitled to an allowance.

Former Minister Harin Fernando, arrested this morning (20) by the Badulla Police for alleged election law violations, has been granted bail. He was ordered to provide two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each.

The controversy surrounding the nomination of Ravi Karunanayake as an MP on the National List representing the New Democratic Front (NDF) is beyond the control of the Election Commission, according to its chairman.

Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pilleyan, arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning (20) to provide a statement. He arrived to provide a statement regarding the controversial Channel 4 documentary on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to visit India in mid-December for his maiden state visit.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake has been appointed as the Leader of the House while Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has been appointed as Chief Government Whip, the Government said.

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 Spokesman for the new government.

The outbreak of Meningococcal disease at the Sri Lanka Army Recruit Training School in Vedditalativu is under control, Director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) said.

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa today claimed that organizations like the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) have come forward to demand racist, religious and separatist demands.

Security was increased this morning outside the official residence of former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in Battaramulla, anticipating protests over the gazetting of his name for one of the two National List seats.

Claiming that MPs and Ministers have more powers, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said he expects that all Ministers will know the limits of their powers and act with accountability.

The Ministry of Education has announced that the first stage of the third school term will conclude on Friday, November 22. Schools across the country will close for holidays from November 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025. The Ministry also noted that the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination will take place during this period. The second stage of the third term is scheduled to commence on January 2 and will run until January 17.

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order suspending the release of results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination held on September 15. The Supreme Court made this order pursuant to the Fundamental Rights petitions filed by several students along with their parents, seeking an order to cancel the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

The New Democratic Front (NDF) has nominated Ravi Karunanayake for its national List seat won by the party at the general election 2024.

Twenty-five recruits have been hospitalized, with one in critical condition, and over 450 soldiers placed under quarantine following a fever outbreak at the Sri Lanka Army Recruit Training School in Vedditalativu.

Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) decides to nominate Dr. P. Sathiyalingam as the party’s National List Member of Parliament.

Cabinet Ministers of the new government to be sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at 10 am tomorrow, November 18, at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Nineteen candidates from the National People's Power (NPP) and two from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have been elected to Parliament this time.