Articles Vesak Festival in Sri Lanka around Veyangoda – By Bhanuka – eLanka Last updated: June 4, 2024 3:42 pm By eLanka adminByeLanka admin Share 0 Min Read SHARE Views: 32 Vesak Festival in Sri Lanka around Veyangoda – By Bhanuka – eLanka TAGGED:Vesak Festival in Sri Lanka around Veyangoda Share This Article Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Email Copy Link Print Previous Article Expert Editing and Translation Services by Former Bank Executive Next Article First recorded Sri Lankan immigrants to Australia: Drum Major O’Deen and his family – By Chandani Panditharatne FacebookLikeYoutubeSubscribeLinkedInFollow - Advertisement - - Advertisement - - Advertisement - Most Read Kamzy Gunaratnam: From Jaffna Refugee to Norway’s Minister of Transport Kamzy Gunaratnam has been appointed Norway’s Minister of Transport. Image credit: Colombo Times. The appointment of Kamzy Gunaratnam as Norway’s new Minister of Transport represents a proud and historic development for Sri Lankan Tamils and the wider global Sri Lankan community, marking the latest stage in a remarkable public-service journey that began in Jaffna and continued through refugee resettlement, local government and national politics in Norway. Gunaratnam, a Norwegian Member of Parliament of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, formally assumed the ministerial position at 12 noon on 11 September 2026, following a cabinet reshuffle by the government led by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. She succeeds Jon-Ivar Nygård, who stepped down from the portfolio. The appointment places Gunaratnam at the head of one of Norway’s most important public sectors, with responsibility for roads, railways, public transportation and wider transport infrastructure. The position carries substantial national significance in a country where reliable mobility, regional connectivity and environmental sustainability are closely connected to economic development and social inclusion. A journey from Jaffna to Norway Kamzy Gunaratnam was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, in 1988. When she was three years old, she left the country with her parents and moved to Norway as a refugee, fleeing the civil war that had caused prolonged hardship and displacement across Sri Lanka. Her early circumstances were therefore shaped by uncertainty and relocation, yet the subsequent course of her life demonstrates the capacity of education, civic participation and public service to transform personal challenges into national leadership. From a young age, Gunaratnam became actively involved in politics and public affairs. Her engagement developed within Norway’s democratic institutions, where she gradually established herself as a prominent representative of the Labour Party and as a voice for inclusive public policy. Her story is significant not merely because of the senior office that she now holds, but also because it illustrates the many stages through which a person can contribute to a new country while retaining a meaningful connection with their family heritage. Her experience reflects the resilience of Sri Lankan families who have established new lives across the world and who continue to participate constructively in the societies in which they live. Leadership in Oslo Between 2015 and 2021, Gunaratnam served as Deputy Mayor of Oslo, Norway’s capital and largest city. The role provided extensive experience in local government, municipal administration and the practical delivery of services affecting residents in their daily lives. Oslo is a complex urban centre in which transport, housing, environmental policy, public safety and social inclusion are closely interrelated. Experience within the city administration would have required an understanding of how public decisions affect communities across different neighbourhoods, as well as the importance of long-term planning in a rapidly changing metropolitan environment. Gunaratnam’s years as Deputy Mayor also established a foundation for her later work in national politics. Local government frequently provides the most direct encounter with public concerns, since roads, public transport, urban development and essential services are experienced by residents at close range. Her transition from municipal leadership to national office was confirmed at the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election, when she was elected to the Storting, Norway’s national parliament, as a candidate for the Norwegian Labour Party. Election to the Storting The Storting is Norway’s central legislative institution, and election to the parliament represents a significant public mandate. Gunaratnam’s arrival in the national legislature placed her within the country’s principal forum for shaping laws, approving public expenditure and scrutinising government policy. Her parliamentary career has been viewed in the context of her long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and public transportation. Those areas are particularly relevant to Norway’s future, as the country continues to consider how infrastructure can support economic activity while reducing environmental pressures and improving access for communities across urban and regional areas. The transport portfolio is broad and demanding. It encompasses the maintenance and development of roads, the operation and expansion of railway networks, public transport systems and major infrastructure projects. Decisions within the ministry can influence commuting patterns, regional opportunity, freight movement, road safety and the ability of citizens to access employment, education and essential services. For Gunaratnam, the new appointment brings together several strands of her previous experience: municipal leadership in Oslo, parliamentary service, environmental advocacy and an established interest in public transportation. These responsibilities will now be applied at a national level. Sustainability and public transport Norway’s geography gives transport policy particular importance. The country extends across a long and varied landscape, encompassing major cities, coastal communities, mountainous areas and remote regions. Efficient infrastructure is therefore essential for maintaining national connections, while sustainable transport options are increasingly important in addressing environmental concerns. Gunaratnam’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability and public transportation is seen as especially relevant to the ministry’s responsibilities. Public transport can reduce congestion, improve mobility for people who do not drive and support the development of more environmentally responsible communities. Railways and buses also play a wider social role. When public transport is dependable and affordable, it can connect people with employment, education, healthcare and cultural life. In regional areas, infrastructure investment may strengthen local economies and reduce isolation, while in cities it can contribute to more efficient and liveable urban environments. As Minister of Transport, Gunaratnam will therefore be responsible for a sector that extends well beyond physical infrastructure. Roads and railways are visible elements of the portfolio, but the underlying objective is the creation of a connected society in which people and goods can move safely, efficiently and sustainably. A source of pride and inspiration Gunaratnam’s appointment has been welcomed as a major achievement by Sri Lankan Tamils in Norway and by Sri Lankans around the world. Her life story, from a childhood shaped by forced migration to a senior position in the Norwegian Government, offers an especially powerful example of perseverance and civic contribution. The achievement also highlights the breadth of Sri Lankan talent in international public life. Across Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Europe and the Middle East, Sri Lankan professionals and community members continue to contribute to government, business, education, medicine, technology, the arts and public administration. For people of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, Gunaratnam’s appointment carries an additional cultural and historical significance. It demonstrates that heritage and public responsibility can exist together, with personal origins forming part of an individual’s story while public service remains directed towards the needs of the entire population. Her appointment is not simply a milestone in one political career. It is also an encouraging reminder that public institutions can be strengthened when people from varied backgrounds are able to participate fully in national life. Gunaratnam’s journey from Jaffna to Oslo, and from refugee childhood to ministerial office, stands as an inspiring example of determination, democratic participation and service to the wider community. For the global Sri Lankan community, her success provides a moment of immense pride. It also offers younger generations an example of what can be achieved through commitment, education, principled participation and a willingness to serve others. eLanka continues to share positive stories about Sri Lankans and Sri Lankan families living in Australia and around the world. Through its online community platform, eLanka connects readers with news, achievements, events and useful information that celebrate the continuing contribution of Sri Lankan people internationally. Source: https://colombotimes.net/sri-lankan-woman-kamzy-gunaratnam-becomes-norways-minister-of-transport/ This article was written based on the source https://colombotimes.net/sri-lankan-woman-kamzy-gunaratnam-becomes-norways-minister-of-transport/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected. Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox! At eLanka, we respect the rights of creators. If we have used an image you own and you’d like it removed, please email us at info@elanka.com.au and we’ll handle it promptly. Sri Lanka Unveils ‘Iguana’ , Its First Locally Built Amphibious Boat for Export The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai hosted the Sri Lanka Women’s National Cricket Team to a special dinner at the Consulate General premises Education Ministry’s restructuring impact closure of one-third of public schools By Arundathie Abeysinghe Celebrating 80 Years of Life & Achievements of Dr. Somaratne Dissanayake.
