State Minister of Foreign Affairs – Tharaka Balasuriya says that the post of Sri Lankan ambassador in China, which had remained vacant for several months, will be filled soon.

Speaking exclusively to ”Sri Lanka Mirror’, he said, “We will certainly be sending an ambassador to China and we have already picked a very experienced officer from the Foreign Service.”

Emphasizing that “China no doubt is a very important country for Sri Lanka,” the State Minister added, “thus we have looked into one of the best officers that is available” to be sent in order “to further strengthen our relationship with China.”

The ambassador position at the Sri Lankan Diplomatic Mission in Beijing has remained vacant for nearly 07 months, ever since the previous ambassador – Dr. Palitha Kohona returned to Sri Lanka last August.

The President’s tour in 2023 October as well as the Prime Minister’s tour last month had taken place in the absence of an ambassador.

Speaking on the delay to appoint a new ambassador, the State Minister said that a time lapse between the exit of one ambassador and the appointment of another usually does take place. There are procedural delays and formalities which take place, he pointed out.

In addition to China, 07 more officers from the Foreign Service are to be appointed as new Heads of Mission in several other countries, Mr. Balasuriya added.

In a recent X message following an orientation programme for the newly appointed Heads of Mission for the year 2024, the State Minister had congratulated the newly appointed delegates.‍

According to reports, former ambassador to Austria – Majintha Jayesinghe is to be appointed as the new ambassador to China.

Ambassador Jayesinghe had joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1998 and was Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates, prior to the appointment in Austria. The diplomatic career entailed serving as Consul General in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China and Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister died when their helicopter crashed as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters on Monday.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has not requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to hold a general election first but only conveyed the opnion of the SLPP to the President, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today.

Recognising the efforts of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera in promoting national unity and social support, the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna Nikaya, and the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha have appealed to the President to grant Ven. Gnanasara Thera a pardon on Vesak Poya day.

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested four ISIS terrorists, all of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

Claiming that 82 MPs have requested vehicle permits, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said they would take possible steps to stop the move.

A person was arrested in Dehiwala for facilitating over 100 individuals to go to Russia on tourist visas, police said. The suspect was arrested by the Human Trafficking, Smuggling and Maritime Crime Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Friday urged the Sri Lankan Government to take decisive action to uncover the fates and locations of tens of thousands of individuals subjected to enforced disappearances over the years and to hold those responsible accountable.

Today marks the 15th Anniversary of the Mullivaikkal Genocide and the second Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day as recognized by Parliament. On this solemn anniversary, Tamils around the world stand in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and families in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Together, we strive to unveil the truth, hold those responsible for atrocities accountable, and ultimately achieve justice.

The President’s Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka has informed US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu that steps will be taken to set up a local research team for surveillance in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

Speaking at a commemoration marking the 15th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka’s internal armed conflict on 18 May 2009, which culminated in the brutal Mullivaikkal offensive where countless civilian lives were lost, Secretary General at Amnesty International Agnès Callamard said:

The presidential election is set to be conducted on October 5 or 12. The Sunday Times learns that the Election Commission has had consultations on the possible dates for the conduct of the elections and considered the two days, which are Saturdays.

Former Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, has said that a decision has been made to dissolve Parliament on or after June 14.

A series of events will be held over a period of three days beginning today (17) in the Northern and Eastern regions as well as Colombo to mark the end of war 15 years ago.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (16) said that nominee to be the next US Ambassador to Colombo Elizabeth K. Horst had revealed that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government announced a ban on foreign research vessels’ entry into Sri Lankan waters on January 1 this year at the behest of the US.

The Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar acquitted the four accused including a Major involved in the shooting incident that resulted in the deaths of three individuals and the injury of several others during a protest for clean drinking water in Rathupaswala on August 1, 2013.

Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake who joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today has been appointed the head of the party's Ranaviru Balakaya. Ranawiru Balakaya is a group of ex-military men who support the SJB. He received the appointment from Party Leader Sajith Premadasa this morning.

The Indian Navy has arrested 14 Sri Lankan fishermen along with five boats for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and for fishing sea cucumber on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Showery and windy conditions arebexpected to enhance during th enext few days from today evening due to pre-monsoonal conditions over the country and surrounding sea areas. Heavy rainfall above 100 mm can be expected at some places in Western,Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Over 70 international transitional justice and human rights scholars have urged the Sri Lankan Government to halt the establishment of a Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation (CTUR) as it has been rejected by victim groups and the broader national context is not conducive for such a process.

Former Speaker and National Movement for Social Justice Chairperson Karu Jayasuriya voiced his profound regret yesterday over the Police’s handling of the porridge distribution event in Sampur commemorating the victims of the war and enforced disappearances.