New Cabinet of Ministers sworn in (Video)

Published

8 months ago

November 18, 2024

editor

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet Ministers of the National People’s Party (NPP) government was held today (Nov. 18) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.

The new Cabinet of Ministers is as follows :

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education – Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism – Vijitha Herath
Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government – Prof. Chandana Abeyratne
Minister of Justice and National Integration – Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara
Minister of Women and Child Affairs – Saroja Savithri Paulraj
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation – K.D. Lalkantha
Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing – Anura Karunathilake
Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources – Ramalingam Chandrasekar
Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment – Prof. Upali Pannillage
Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development – Sunil Handunneththi
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs – Ananda Wijepala
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation – Bimal Rathnayake
Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs – Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi
Minister of Health and Mass Media – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa
Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure– Samantha Vidyaratne
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – Sunil Kumara Gamage
Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development – Wasantha Samarasinghe
Minister of Science and Technology – Prof. Krishantha Abeysena
Minister of Labour – Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando
Minister of Energy – Kumara Jayakody
Minister of Environment – Dr. Dhammika Patabendi

Forests on state lands to be designated as reserves

Published

1 hour ago

July 9, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Environment has decided to designate several forests located on state owned lands as official forest reserves.

Deputy Minister – Anton Jayakody has stated that such forests, each spanning 05 hectares or more, have been identified in every district.

Special priority will be given to designating forest reserves on mountain peaks.

In the first phase, 20 forests in districts including Monaragala and Ampara have been selected under the new program named ‘Vanaspathi’, he said.

He further said the initiative aims to protect these forest areas and expand the country’s forest cover.

No cases filed against 22 banned pyramid schemes – CBSL

Published

2 hours ago

July 9, 2025

editor

Although the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has banned 22 institutions operating illegal pyramid schemes, no legal action has been taken against any of them so far, according to reports.

This was disclosed during a workshop held at the CBSL yesterday (July 08) on the dangers of pyramid schemes.

According to CBSL officials, after initial investigations, the files were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry.

The CID’s Financial Crimes Unit has reportedly completed its investigations and submitted findings to the Attorney General’s Department, which is responsible for filing cases.

However, it was noted that not a single case has been filed to date.

The CBSL states that investigations will be continued against companies engaged in these illegal practices and hopes at least one or two such cases would be filed by the end of this year or early next year (2026).

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NPP’s Nishantha Jayaweera sworn in as MP

Published

2 hours ago

July 9, 2025

editor

U. D. Nishantha Jayaweera was sworn in as a National People’s Power (NPP) National List Member of Parliament before the Speaker of the House – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (July 09).

He fills the Parliamentary seat left vacant following the resignation of Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma last month.