Harini Amarasuriya was reappointed as Sri Lanka's prime minister by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dissanayake also appointed Vijitha Herath as foreign minister after his coalition won 159 seats in the general election. Despite strong, concerns remain over implementing IMF-backed reform.
Harini Amarasuriya has been reappointed as Sri Lanka's prime minister by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday.
The president also recalled veteran legislator, Vijitha Herath, to oversee the foreign affairs ministry of the Indian Ocean Island after his leftist coalition won 159 seats in the 225-member parliament in general election.
Despite the appointments made during Monday’s sweating-in ceremony, Dissanayake did not name a new finance minister, raising suggestions that he may keep the finance portfolio as he did in September following the victorious presidential election.
Dissanayake, who is regarded as a political outsider, surpassed expectations by winning the presidential election in September rather comfortably in a country dominated for decades by family parties. Naming Amarasuriya as prime minister and picking Herath to helm foreign affairs has been seen as a welcomed political move.
However, he’s had to make further decisive moves by dissolving his Marxist-leaning National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, which had just three seats in the parliament, to seek fresh mandate in last Thursday’s snap election.
Sustaining the policy guaranteed an overwhelming mandate in the general elections, handing Dissanayake legislative power to enforce his plans to reduce poverty and lift the island nation from financial meltdown.
For two years, Sri Lanka has been battling economic crisis brought by severe shortage of foreign currency. This forced the nation of 22 million people into a sovereign default, leading to a 7.3% shrink in its economy in 2022 and 2.3% last year.
Despite the strong mandate and show of support in the South Asian country, which will strengthen its political stability, there are still concerns about Dissanayake's campaign promises. Analysts say there are uncertainties in the plan to implement policies aimed at meeting the terms of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescue programme that bailed the country out of its economic crisis.
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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Sweden announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine worth $1.6 billion to help Kyiv strengthen its position in peace talks. The package includes new equipment and financial donations for Ukraine's defense industry, with Sweden's total support since 2022 reaching 80 billion crowns.
Britain's King Charles is resuming public duties this week after a brief hospital visit due to side effects from his cancer treatment. Following a restful weekend, he is preparing for a regular working week at Windsor Castle, with some appointments rescheduled ahead of his state visit to Italy.
Thomas Lubanga, a convicted war criminal, has announced the formation of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CPR) in eastern Congo's Ituri province, posing a new security threat as Congo's army faces advances by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.
AnewZ provides an examination of Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, and explores her ascent in French politics, her controversial policy positions, and the recent legal challenges she faces.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
Sweden announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine worth $1.6 billion to help Kyiv strengthen its position in peace talks. The package includes new equipment and financial donations for Ukraine's defense industry, with Sweden's total support since 2022 reaching 80 billion crowns.
Britain's King Charles is resuming public duties this week after a brief hospital visit due to side effects from his cancer treatment. Following a restful weekend, he is preparing for a regular working week at Windsor Castle, with some appointments rescheduled ahead of his state visit to Italy.
Thomas Lubanga, a convicted war criminal, has announced the formation of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CPR) in eastern Congo's Ituri province, posing a new security threat as Congo's army faces advances by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.
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