News
Lankan-origin teen elected to French city council
An 18-year-old French student of Sri Lankan origin has made history by winning a seat on a municipal council in France, emerging as one of the country’s youngest elected officials.
Bilaal Lookman, a first-year law student at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, was elected to the City Council of Guyancourt, a suburb of Paris, at the recent municipal elections held on March 15 and 22. Notably, this was also the first time he cast his vote as a voter.
Born in November 2007 to a family of Sri Lankan origin hailing from Mannar and Jaffna, Lookman entered public life at a young age, driven by a strong interest in governance and civic engagement.
He gained early exposure to French political institutions through internships with a Member of Parliament, a former Education Minister, and the mayor of his hometown while still in his mid-teens. His involvement in public service also included participation in the town’s Children’s Municipal Council and volunteer work with a local food-aid organisation.
Joining the outgoing mayor’s team, Lookman successfully contested the election and now faces the challenge of balancing his academic pursuits with his new responsibilities.
He has pledged to engage more young people in politics, stressing that civic participation is key to shaping the future.
Latest News
Charted Computer Institute of Sri Lanka to be established
The Chartered Computer Institute of Sri Lanka was established in 1976 as the premier and sole body representing professionals in the Information and Communication Technology sector in Sri Lanka. It has recognized the importance of establishing the Sri Lanka Chartered Computer Association as the main professional organization to act on behalf of the interests of professionals representing the computer sector in Sri Lanka, which should be treated equally with other professional organizations that have obtained chartered status and other formal recognition.
Accordingly, taking into account a resolution furnished by the Hon. President, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to grant policy approval for the establishment of the Chartered Computer Institute of Sri Lanka and to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill in line with the proposed objectives.
Latest News
Drug Dependent Persons (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act No 54 of 2007 to be amendmend
it has become essential to introduce appropriate revisions to the Drug Dependent Persons (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act No 54 of 2007 so that a proper formal mechanism can be maintained in treatment and rehabilitation.
Accordingly, considering a resolution forwarded by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to grant the policy approval to revise the Drug Dependent Persons (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act No 54 of 2007 and direct the Legal Draftsman to formulate a draft bill including the relevant amendments.
Latest News
Mrs. O. T. M. I. Thilakarathne appointed to the Post of Surveyor General
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to appoint Mrs. O. T. M. I. Thilakarathne, the senior most officer in Sri Lanka Surveyors’ Service serving as an Additional Surveyor General of that Department to the Post of Surveyor General that will be vacant from 20.08.2026.
-
Business3 days ago‘Giving up was never an option’: The fisherman who fought back after losing millions in SL
-
Features3 days agoTwo memorable excerpts from a former SLAF commander’s memoir
-
Latest News3 days agoDavis cup Asia/Oceania Group IV 2026 to be held in Colombo from 20th to 25th July
-
Features3 days agoErdoğan’s New Republic
-
Life style3 days agoTaste of the Swiss Alps comes to Colombo
-
Features7 days agoDirty Money
-
News4 days agoDengue outbreak gallops ahead: Infections surpasses 73,455, leaving 50 dead
-
News4 days agoEvidence recorded in money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa
