A team from the UN Technical Electoral Needs Assessment Mission has met key parliament members, including prime minister Harini Amarasuriya and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, to assess opportunities for international support to strengthen electoral processes in Sri Lanka.

“The mission focused on gathering insights from a wide range of stakeholders including government representatives, political parties, election observers, civil society, and development partners,” parliament statement said.

“Discussions centered on enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity of Sri Lanka’s electoral system.”

Key topics addressed included strengthening transparency and integrity in elections, increasing women’s political representation, promoting political literacy and voter education, advancing the digitalization of the electoral process, empowering voters, protecting voting rights, and tackling challenges faced by youth and women in politics.

The United Nations delegation expressed the UN’s willingness to extend technical assistance to support ongoing and future electoral reforms.

The delegation comprised Michele Griffin, Director of the Electoral Assistance Division; Dan Malinovich, Electoral Policy Specialist; Amanda Stark, Political Affairs Officer in the Asia and the Pacific Division; and Mikyong Kim, Political/Electoral Affairs Officer.

A group of monks, including Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, have visited former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Tangalle.

The meeting had taken place at the former President’s private residence in Tangalle.

“Mahinda Rajapaksa is an unforgettable President of the nation. He is a hero we have seen during our lifetime. Mahinda Rajapaksa ended a 30-year war, even though many said this guerrilla war could not be ended,” Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said, speaking to the media.

The government today (October 10) appointed three new Cabinet Ministers and ten State Ministers, in a cabinet reshuffle aimed at accelerating development goals in line with the 2026 Budget.

Ministers:

1. Bimal Ratnayake : Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development

2. Anura Karunathilake: Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Services

3. Dr. Susil Ranasinghe : Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

Deputy Ministers:

1. Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando : Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

2. T.B. Sarath : Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

3. M. M. Mohamed Muneer : Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs

4. Eranga Gunasekera : Deputy Minister of Urban Development

5. Dr.Hansaka Wijemuni : Deputy Minister of Health

6. Aravinda Senarath Vitharana : Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation

7. Dinindu Saman Kumara : Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs

8. Nishantha Jayaweera : Deputy Minister of Economic Development

9. Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne : Deputy Minister of Mass Media

10. M. I. M. Arkam : Deputy Minister of Energy

Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena on Friday clarified that the recent change to Minister Bimal Rathnayake’s portfolio was a strategic decision and not a response to recent controversies.

The minister’s portfolio was restructured to include Urban Development while removing the subjects of Ports and Civil Aviation.

Gunasena’s clarification came in response to comments from ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who had welcomed the removal of the Ports and Civil Aviation portfolio, linking it to the recent “323 container controversy.”

Rejecting the insinuation, the Deputy Minister explained that the Urban Development portfolio is more closely aligned with the Transport Ministry’s current goals. He noted the government’s plan to establish several multi-modal transport centers across the country, stating that urban development is intrinsically linked to the success of these major infrastructure projects.

“If you think that a person like Bimal Rathnayake, who has dedicated his entire life to public service, will be discouraged by words like that, you are mistaken,” Gunasena asserted. “We won’t get discouraged. The reason for the change is that the Urban Development portfolio is more aligned with our plans than Ports and Civil Aviation.”

He added, “It would be even better if we could get the Local Government portfolio under our ministry as well, but that’s not possible.”

Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, announced that the SJB has decided to politically collaborate with the United National Party (UNP) under a joint program, based on the leadership and guidance of the SJB.

He stated that this unanimous decision was reached during the Working Committee meeting held yesterday (09) and at two Management Committee meetings held prior to it.

Expressing further views, Premadasa said that the two parties will continue to work together on practical and people-centered policy agreements aimed at addressing the challenges and issues faced by the country and its citizens, while maintaining the individual identities of both parties.