New portfolios for 3 ministers and 10 deputy ministers

Published

4 weeks ago

2025/10/10

Priyan

The government has announced that the Cabinet has been reshuffled and new portfolios have been assigned to three cabinet ministers and ten Deputy Ministers.

Accordingly, the following Cabinet Ministers have been sworn in:

Bimal Niroshan Rathnayake– Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development
Anura Karunathilaka – Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation
Dr. H.M. Susil Ranasinghe – Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

While, the following have been sworn in as Deputy Ministers

Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando – Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
T.B. Sarath – Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply
M. M. Mohammed Muneer – Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs
Eranga Gunasekara – Deputy Minister of Urban Development
Dr. Muditha Hansaka Wijemuni– Deputy Minister of Health
Aravinda Senarath Vitharana – Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation
H.M. Dinindu Saman Kumara – Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs
U.D. Nishantha Jayaweera – Deputy Minister of Economic Development
Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne– Deputy Minister of Mass Media
M. I. M. Arkam – Deputy Minister of Energy

All News Advertisement

Chapman stars as New Zealand survive West Indies scare to level series

Published

11 hours ago

2025/11/6

Priyan

Mark Chapman unleashed a flurry of sixes in his 28-ball knock [Cricinfo]

Mark Chapman bludgeoned 78 off 28 balls before New Zealand survived a late onslaught to record their first T20I victory of the home season in a bounce back against West Indies at Eden Park.

West Indies were down and out in the 208-run chase at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. They needed 18 an over from there but the required rate suddenly nosedived as Rovman Powell launched stunning hitting at the death.

Needing 16 runs off the final over, West Indies were suddenly in the box seat after a couple of Matthew Forde boundaries meant they required eight off four balls.

But Powell holed out to quick Kyle Jamieson on the fourth ball in a game-changer before Forde could only score a single off the final delivery as West Indies fell three runs short.

Jamieson held his nerve with a superb slower ball in a major relief for New Zealand, who were under pressure after a seven-run defeat in the series-opener at the same ground just 24 hours earlier.

After New Zealand were sent in to bat, Chapman ignited his side in favourable batting conditions and completely dominated the middle-latter overs with a slew of belligerent blows.

While chasing, West Indies succumbed to spinners Ish Sodhi, the only change from either team from game one, and Mitchell Santner combining for six wickets.

There was a late twist but the result snapped the West Indies’ five-game T20I winning streak.

DRS was used in this match after technical issues meant the technology could not be in place for the opener.

Brief scores:
New Zealand 207 for 5 in 20 overs (Mark Chapman 78, Tim Robinson 39, Devon Conway 16, Rachin Ravindra 11, Daryl Mitchell 28*, Mitchell Santner 18*; Mathew Forde 1-17, Jason Holder 1-34, Romario Shepherd 1-38, Roston Chase 2-33) beat West Indies 204 for 8 in 20 overs (Alick Athanaze 33, Shai Hope 24, Jason Holder 16, Rovman Powell 45, Romario Shepherd 34, Mathew Forde 29*; Jacob Duffy 1-21, Kyle Jamieson 1-51, Michell Santner 3-31, Ish Sodhi 3-39) by three runs

[Cricinfo]

Latest News

President to present the 2026 Budget tomorrow (7th November) at 1.30 p.m.

Published

12 hours ago

2025/11/6

Priyan

The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 (Budget Speech) is scheduled to be presented to Parliament tomorrow (07) at 1.30 p.m. by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.

Subsequently, the debate on the Appropriation Bill (Budget Debate) is scheduled to be held from November 8 to December 5, 2025.

The Appropriation Bill for 2026, which was presented to Parliament for the First Reading on September 26, 2025, will have its Second Reading Debate for 6 days from November 8 to 14. Accordingly, the vote on the Second Reading will be held on November 14 at 6.00 p.m.

The Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 will take place for 17 days, from November 15 to December 5, including 3 Saturdays. The Third Reading Vote on the Appropriation Bill will then be held on December 5 at 6.00 p.m.

During the Budget Period the Budget Debate will be held every day, including Saturdays, except for public holidays and Sundays. Also, during the Committee Stage Debate Period, Parliament is scheduled to meet at 9.30 a.m. on Mondays and at 9.00 a.m. on all other days.

Accordingly, during this period, in addition to the business under Standing Orders 22(1) to (6), time has been allocated for 5 Questions for Oral Answers and 1 Question under Standing Orders 27(2). Also, during this period, the Budget Debate is scheduled to be held until 6.00 p.m. and on all days except voting days, from 6.00 to 6.30 p.m., time will be allotted for Motions at the Adjournment Time based on a 50:50 allocation between the Government and the Opposition.

Latest News

Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura

Published

12 hours ago

2025/11/6

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura valid from 12:30 hrs on 06.11.2025 to 12:30 hrs on 07.11.2025

Accordingly,
Level II warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Ratnapura, Elapatha and Kuruwita in the Ratnapura district.

Level I warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Warakapola and Kegalle in the Kegalle district and Kiriella, Kahawaththa, Ayagama, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.