US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Atul Keshap met with former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed's legal team including Jared Genser and Amal Clooney and received an update on the condition their client. Mohamed Nasheed is imprisoned under the Anti-Terrorism Act in Maldives.

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Atul Keshap made his first official visit outside Colombo, to the city of Kandy. "Honored on my first visit outside Colombo for the privilege of visiting sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and to seek blessings of Lord Buddha" he Tweeted.

The following MPs took oaths as State and Deputy Ministers of the national government.

Interestingly, they included several supporters of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

State Ministers

01.   State Minister of National Integration – AHM Fowzie

02.   State Minister of Highways – Dilan Perera

03.   State Minister of Land – TB Ekanayake

04.   State Minister of Law and Order – Priyankara Jayaratne

05.   State Minister of Finance – Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena

06.   State Minister of Labour – Ravindra Samaraweera

07.   State Minister of Education – V Radhakrishnan

08.   State Minister of Vocational Training – Palitha Range Bandara

09.   State Minister of Fisheries – Dilip Vedaarachchi

10.   State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs – Niroshan Perera

11.   State Minister of Defence – Ruwan Wijewardena

12.   State Minister of Rehabilitation – MLAM Hizbullah

13.   State Minister of University Education – Mohan Lal Grero

14.   State Minister of Industries – Champika Premadasa

15.   State Minister of Child Affairs – Vijayakala Maheswaran

16.   State Minister of International Trade – Sujeewa Senasinghe

17.   State Minister of Irrigation – Vasantha Senanayake

18.   State Minister of Agriculture – Wasantha Aluvihare

19.   State Minister of Water Supply – Sudarshinie Fernandopulle

 

Deputy Ministers

01.   Deputy Minister of Wildlife – Sumedha G Jayasena

02.   Deputy Minister of Public Administration – Susantha Punchinilame

03.   Deputy Minister of Rural Economy – Amir Ali

04.   Deputy Minister of Megapolis – Lasantha Alagiyawanna

05.   Deputy Minister of Housing – Indika Bandaranayake

06.   Deputy Minister of Health – Faisal Cassim

07.   Deputy Minister of Post – Dulip Wijesekara

08.   Deputy Minister of Plantations – Lakshman Wasantha Perera

09.   Deputy Minister of Ports – Nishantha Muthuhettigama

10.   Deputy Minister of Disaster Management – Dunesh Gankanda

11.   Deputy Minister of Petroleum – Anoma Gamage

12.   Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs – Dr. Harsha de Silva

13.   Deputy Minister of Power and Energy – Ajith P Perera

14.   Deputy Minister of State Entrepreneurship – Eran Wickramaratne

15.   Deputy Minister of Social Services – Ranjan Ramanayake

16.   Deputy Minister of Transport - Ashok Abeysinghe

17.   Deputy Minister of Home affairs – Arundika Fernando

18.   Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure – Tharanath Basnayake

19.   Deputy Minister of Sports – HM Haris

20.   Deputy Minister of Provincial Council and Local Government – Dr. Karunaratne Paranawithana

21.   Deputy Minister of Tourism and Christian Affairs – Nimal Lansa

 

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga attended the swearing-in of three Cabinet Ministers at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. She is now seen assuming a larger political role in public, following her return to politics with the Presidential Election early this year. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also attended. (Pic: President's Media)

Sri Lankan former national cricketer Kumar Sangakkara used the scoop effectively in the Royal London One-Day Cup Semi-Final played out at Kennington Oval yesterday. Sangakkara's 166 in 138 deliveries faced was pivotal in the victory of Surrey against Nottinghamshire. Surrey will face Gloucestershire in the final at Lord's on September 19. (Getty)

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, known to be an admirer of Buddhism, visited Bodh Gaya yesterday and spent some time in quiet meditation near the Sacred Bodhi Tree.

The New Cabinet Ministers of the National Government with President Maithripala Sirisena in front of the Presidential Secretariat.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the backdrop of an international conference in New Delhi.

Former MP Duminda Silva, former Defence Secreatry Gotabhaya Rajapaksa  and seven others were summoned to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry this morning.

Secretary of the Commission, Lacille De Silva told media that they were summoned in order to record statements  over several charges including using the staff of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd for election campaign during the last presidential election.

(Photo : Lankadeepa)

 

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Maithripala Sirisena were seated next to each other at the 64th Anniversary event of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.