The Ministry of Health will award appointments to 228 Public Health Management Assistants under its human resource development programme, at a ceremony chaired by Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on July 16.

According to the Health Ministry, the initiative is part of a broader plan to strengthen staffing in the health sector. 

As the first phase, the ministry appointed 627 Health Services Assistants for the Western Province on 4 July. Further appointments will follow: 600 Health Services Assistants on 18 July and 762 on 1 August. In addition, the ministry has arranged to appoint 295 Dengue Control Assistants and 121 Overseers within the next two weeks.

Health authorities state that the programme aims to improve the quality of Sri Lanka’s free healthcare system, increase hospital efficiency, and ensure uninterrupted patient care and administration. 

The recruitment drive is being implemented under the direct guidance of Minister Jayatissa, with a pledge of full transparency.

The appointments are expected to provide permanent solutions to long‑standing staff shortages repeatedly highlighted by health‑sector trade unions and stakeholders. (Newswire)

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• Addressing the newly appointed Cabinet of Ministers, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the recent election had marked the end of divisive politics in Sri Lanka. 

“The political culture in Sri Lanka has long been defined by efforts to pit the North against the South and vice versa. However, this election has shown that divisive politics no longer hold sway. It has successfully brought the aspirations of all people to the centre,” he said. 

President Dissanayake added that it was the responsibility of everyone to protect the continuity of the democratic process and elevate it to a new level.

The President extended gratitude to all supporters who voted the new government into power, making special note of Sri Lankan expatriates and young social media activists for their contributions and support during the election.

-The new appointments are as follows;

• Cabinet of Ministers:

1. Dr. Dhammika Patabendi – Minister of Environment
2. Eng. Kumara Jayakody – Minister of Energy 
3. Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando – Minister of Labour
4. Prof. Krishantha Abeysena – Minister of Science and Technology
5. Wasantha Samarasinghe – Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development
6. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs 
7. Samantha Widyaratne – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure 
8. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Media
9. Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi – Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
10. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation
11. Ananda Wijepala – Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
12. Sunil Handunneththi – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development
13. Prof. Upali Pannilage – Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment
14. Ramalingam Chandrasekar – Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
15. Anura Karunathilake – Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing
16. K.D. Lalkantha – Minister of Irrigation, Livestock, Agriculture, and Lands
17. Saroja Savithri Paulraj – Minister of Women and Child Affairs
18. Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara – Minister of Justice and National Integration
19. Prof Chandana Abeyratne – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial & Local Councils
20. Vijitha Herath – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism
21. PM Harini Amarasuriya – Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education
22. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake – Finance and Economic Development, Defence, and Digital Economy

• Dr. Harini Amarasuriya took oaths as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
• President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s new Cabinet of Ministers are being sworn in today. 

The oath ceremony is underway at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. 

The new Cabinet Ministers will be sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

The new administration has previously mentioned that it would function with a 25-member Cabinet. 

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of the National Transport Commission (NTC).

As per the provisions of the National Transport Commission Act 37 of 1991, the commission should be comprised of 8 members.

According to section 3(1) (a) of the said Act, three of the members are appointed on ex officio representing the Ministries of Transport, Policy Planning and Finance.

Subject to the criteria of Section 3(1) (b) of the said Act, five members shall be appointed by the Minister in charge of transport with the approval of the Cabinet, and their term of office shall be 03 years.

Further, in terms of the provisions of Section 37 of the National Transport Commission Act No 1991, the Minister in charge of the subject should appoint the chairman.

Accordingly, as per the provisions of Section 3(1) (b) of the said Act, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport to appoint the following four (4) members as members of the National Transport Commission.

Out of these members, Cabinet approval has been granted to appoint Dr. Bandura Dileepa Vitharana as the chairman of the National Transport Commission.

The newly appointed NTC members are as follows;

• Dr. Bandura Dileepa Vitharana – Senior Lecturer of the Open University of Sri Lanka

• W. Ravi Prasad De Mel – Senior Lecturer of University of Sri Jayawardenapura

• Mrs. Dr. Namali Tharanga Sirisoma – Senior Lecturer of Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

• A.I.U.Perera – Commissioner of Inland Revenue Department. (Newswire)

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The government has made seven key appointments to various institutions, including the Treasury.

Accordingly, Prof. T.M.J. Nilan Cooray has been appointed Director General of the Central Cultural Fund.

Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe has been appointed as Director General of the Coast Conservation Department.

The Cabinet has also approved the appointment of five new senior officials at the Treasury. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe praised the historical “Jaffna Teaching Tradition” during a speech at the Jaffna District Teacher Appointment Ceremony held on Saturday (May 25). 

The ceremony, which took place at the Jaffna Thanthai Selva Auditorium, saw the appointment of 375 teachers in the Northern Province.

Addressing the ceremony, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the importance of restoring the “Jaffna Teaching Tradition”, emphasizing the need for teachers to serve as exemplary figures in society.

The President cautioned against teachers engaging in protests that may undermine their professional image and urged them to uphold their dignity.

Governor of the Northern Province Mrs. P.S.M. Mrs. Charles also presented a commemorative gift to President Wickremesinghe during the event.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe further said; “To all of you receiving teacher appointments today, you are embarking on a significant responsibility. You are entrusted with shaping the future of children within classrooms comprising 35-40 students. The trajectory of these children’s lives is heavily influenced by your guidance. Failure to uphold this responsibility renders one unsuitable for the teaching profession.”

He further pointed out that Jaffna teachers have historically been in demand both nationally and internationally. 

“They have demonstrated unwavering commitment to fulfilling their duties. Even at prestigious institutions like Royal College, Colombo, where I myself received my education, Jaffna teachers were recognized for their exceptional dedication. Their legacy continues to resonate in society, underscoring their exemplary practices that serve as a benchmark for educators nationwide.

“The development of Jaffna owes much to its steadfast commitment to education, with certain schools garnering global renown. For instance, Hartley College students have showcased their talents on prestigious platforms like Oxford University, underscoring the calibre of education in the region.”

The President urged the newly appointed teachers to embrace this noble profession with the same fervour and dedication. 

“Joining the ranks of Jaffna’s esteemed educators is not merely a career choice but a commitment to shaping lives and contributing to the broader landscape of education.

“As educators, it is imperative that you serve as exemplary figures within the teaching profession. Engaging in public demonstrations or shouting slogans on the streets may compromise your credibility in the eyes of students. Therefore, it is essential that you fulfill your responsibilities with diligence and professionalism.

Reflecting on the past, Jaffna boasted a commendable school system. Notably, former speaker Mr. K.B. Ratnayake received his education at Hartley College, exemplifying the quality of education prevalent at the time. However, the onset of war led to the departure of many teachers, resulting in a decline in the standards of education within the region.

“It is incumbent upon us to strive towards reinstating Jaffna’s education system to its former glory and beyond, aiming for international standards of excellence. I propose that the governor engage in comprehensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including representatives from northern councils and universities, to devise a plan aimed at restoring Jaffna’s school system to its former international standards. It is imperative to recognize that providing education solely in Tamil and Sinhala is insufficient; English proficiency must also be prioritized for children. To achieve this, the recruitment of qualified teachers is essential. Although this endeavour may span a period of 10-15 years, proactive measures must commence without delay.

“On behalf of those appointed today, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and urge them to wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to the noble task of serving the children of the north while upholding the dignity of the teaching profession,” he added. (Newswire)

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