Author: Buzzer Editorial

A pledge loan scheme for Small and Medium Scale Paddy Millers and Cooperative Societies, at a concessionary interest rate is scheduled to be implemented for purchasing paddy in Maha Season 2025/26.The Ministry of Finance said in order to maintain a reasonable price for farmers, the loan scheme will be implemented with effect from today (01).Accordingly, the loan scheme for SME Paddy Millers and Cooperative Societies will subject to the maximum daily milling capacity of 25MT. All borrowers should have a valid business registration obtained from a relevant government institution, and a licence issued by the Paddy Marketing Board, the Finance…

An individual has been arrested in Gandara, Dondra for the possession of 115 grams and 200 milligrams of heroin, 23 grams and 700 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine(‘Ice’) and approximately Rs. 500,000 in cash suspected to have been earned through drug trafficking, police stated.The arrest was carried out last afternoon (31) based on information received by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau.The suspect is a 38-year-old resident of Dondra.Investigations have revealed that the suspect is a close associate of a drug trafficker currently residing abroad and that he was involved in handling money earned from the trafficker’s drug operations.The suspect is…

A Sub-Inspector attached to the Kinniya Police Station has been arrested on bribery charges.The Sub-Inspector was arrested following a complaint lodged by a resident of Kinniya.The police officer was arrested in connection with soliciting a bribe of Rs. 10,000 in relation to a complaint about an assault made by the complainant. Two suspects had already been arrested in connection with the incident, and the bribe was allegedly demanded to carry out legal action to arrest the remaining suspects.The officer is accused of arranging to receive the money through another individual.The Sub-Inspector was arrested yesterday (31) at around 5:20 p.m. inside…

Police said that operations to arrest individuals driving under the influence are continuing today.W. P. J. Senadheera, Deputy Inspector General of Police incharge of Traffic and Road Safety, said that nearly 75% of police officers at the station level have been deployed for these operations.Senadheera added that the Inspector General of Police has instructed that the law be strictly enforced against individuals driving under the influence.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today announced that it will dedicate the upcoming Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka to promoting the government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program. Accordingly, several measures will be implemented throughout the series to raise public awareness of the program, the SLC said in a statement. One such initiative will be the donation of the tour profit, which will be generated from the ‘Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka,’ to the government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program. Sri Lanka Cricket said it will also promote the #VisitSriLanka hashtag at match venues to promote Sri Lanka to the global audience. The decision was taken by the…

A Gazette notification has been issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, establishing a ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force’.The 25-member task force has been formed to provide strategic leadership, coordination, a unified approach towards and oversight of all post–disaster rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction matters following Cyclone Ditwah.Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has been appointed as the Chairman of the aforesaid Presidential Task Force while G. M. R. D. Aponsu is named as the Convener/ Secretary of the said task.Members of the Presidential Task Force are as follows: 1. Harini Amarasuriya – Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education 2.…

Colombo was illuminated by a fireworks show as Sri Lanka welcomed the dawn of the new year.In the country’s commercial capital, fireworks exploded over Galle Face Green, much to the jubilation of the revelers.Sri Lanka ushered in the New Year after a number of Asian countries including Singapore, China and Japan welcomed 2026

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, Eastern, Central, North-central, North-western and Uva provinces, tomorrow (01), according to the Department of Meteorology. Fairly heavy rainfalls above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Central, North-western and Uva provinces and in Batticaloa and Ampara districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere after 2.00 p.m., the Met. Department added. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning. Meanwhile, the general public has been requested to take adequate precautions…

Sri Lanka’s Taavi Samaraweera has climbed to No. 1 in the U-11 Boys’ World Table Tennis Rankings.This is the highest ranking ever achieved by a Sri Lankan player at any age level.Samaraweera achieved the historic milestone after consistently performing at a number of events held recently.

Johan Fernando, the son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, who was arrested yesterday (30) by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID), has been produced before court.Fernando was produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court.Johan Fernando was arrested in Kurunegala by FCID officers on several allegations, including the alleged misappropriation of a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa and other vehicles during the tenure of Johnston Fernando as the Minister of Trade.He was arrested on charges including money laundering, offences under the Public Property Act, misuse of state property, and criminal misappropriation.Meanwhile, investigations are continuing to arrest former Minister Johnston Fernando under the…