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New ambassador to China to be sent soon – State Minister (Video)

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State Minister of Foreign Affairs – Tharaka Balasuriya says that the post of Sri Lankan ambassador in China, which had remained vacant for several months, will be filled soon.

Speaking exclusively to ”Sri Lanka Mirror’, he said, “We will certainly be sending an ambassador to China and we have already picked a very experienced officer from the Foreign Service.”

Emphasizing that “China no doubt is a very important country for Sri Lanka,” the State Minister added, “thus we have looked into one of the best officers that is available” to be sent in order “to further strengthen our relationship with China.”

The ambassador position at the Sri Lankan Diplomatic Mission in Beijing has remained vacant for nearly 07 months, ever since the previous ambassador – Dr. Palitha Kohona returned to Sri Lanka last August.

The President’s tour in 2023 October as well as the Prime Minister’s tour last month had taken place in the absence of an ambassador.

Speaking on the delay to appoint a new ambassador, the State Minister said that a time lapse between the exit of one ambassador and the appointment of another usually does take place. There are procedural delays and formalities which take place, he pointed out.

In addition to China, 07 more officers from the Foreign Service are to be appointed as new Heads of Mission in several other countries, Mr. Balasuriya added.

In a recent X message following an orientation programme for the newly appointed Heads of Mission for the year 2024, the State Minister had congratulated the newly appointed delegates.‍

According to reports, former ambassador to Austria – Majintha Jayesinghe is to be appointed as the new ambassador to China.

Ambassador Jayesinghe had joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1998 and was Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates, prior to the appointment in Austria. The diplomatic career entailed serving as Consul General in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China and Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia.

The full interview of State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya with Sri Lanka Mirror Editor – Kelum Shivantha, is as follows :

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Public demands swift change – Justice Minister

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Minister of Justice and National Integration – Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara has stated that the recent local government (LG) election results clearly delivered a public message : the need to swiftly implement real change instead of mere flaunts.

He stated that the government has understood the message of the public.

According to him, of the 267 LG bodies contested by the NPP, they secured a clear majority in 120, while 32 councils are tied where establishing power still remains possible.

Noting that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) previously held power in 126 local bodies, with 28 tied, the minister points out that the NPP has achieved the largest victory in history.

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5 dead in Bell 212 crash (Update)

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Five military personnel have been confirmed dead in the crash of a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Bell 212 helicopter into the Maduru Oya Reservoir earlier this morning (May 09.
According to the SLAF Spokesperson Group Captain Eranda Geeganage, the deceased include three members of the Sri Lanka Army’s Special Forces and two Air Force personnel.

The aircraft was carrying a total of 12 individuals, including six Army Special Forces members, two Air Force Regiment Special Forces personnel, two other Air Force members, and two pilots.

(Video : Accident 1st)

මාදුරුඔය පීරා බෙල් 212 සොයන මෙහෙයුම… #Accident1st #bell212 #Helicopter #crashe #MaduruOya

Posted by Accident 1st on Thursday, May 8, 2025

(Previous news 2025 May 09 – 9.57.a.m.)

SLAF helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya during training session

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09) into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

The incident occurred during a training exercise held as part of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces passing-out ceremony in Maduru Oya.

The aircraft was carrying ten Special Forces soldiers and two pilots at the time of the incident.

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American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

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Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

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