Author: Buzzer Editorial

An Extraordinary Gazette Notification has been issued introducing new administrative regulations on import-related payments, effective from today. The notification was signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance.Under the new rules, banks are required to assign a special transaction number for every import-related payment and report detailed transaction information to Sri Lanka Customs. This includes the importer’s TIN number, address, beneficiary details, bank and branch codes, payment value and currency, payment and delivery terms, date of payment, Proforma Invoice number, and details of the imported goods.Importers are also required to register as qualified importers with Sri Lanka…

The US has dropped its naval blockade of Iran after the two countries signed a deal to end the war in the Middle East.US Central Command confirmed the end of the blockade on X “in accordance with the President’s direction”, and said some US vessels would remain “in the general area”.Soon afterwards, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he had approved the deal with the US despite having a “different view”, without elaborating. He said he allowed it to go ahead after assurances from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian that he would “protect the rights of the Iranian nation”.Khamenei said President…

Sri Lanka Police have uncovered several details regarding the discovery of a woman’s body inside a parked car in the Teldeniya area.Police have identified the deceased as 34-year-old physiotherapist Shamya Darshani, who was employed at the Ampara District General Hospital.According to police, the woman’s boyfriend, a software engineer residing at Gannoruwa in Kandy, had allegedly transported her body in the vehicle, abandoned it near the Teldeniya Hospital, and fled the area.Police have sought public assistance in locating and arresting the suspect.Investigations commenced after the victim’s brother, a resident of Kota Wewa in Thalawa, lodged a complaint with Nuwara Eliya Police…

Talks that had been planned for ​Friday between the ‌United States and Iran at the Burgenstock mountaintop ​resort in Switzerland ​will not take place, ⁠according to a ​Swiss foreign ministry statement.The ​announcement came after a White House spokesperson said overnight ​that U.S. Vice ​President JD Vance had pulled out ‌of ⁠a planned trip to meet Iranian negotiators in Switzerland on ​Friday ​to ⁠begin talks on implementing an agreement ​struck between Tehran ​and ⁠Washington to end the war.Source: Reuters

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that if Sri Lanka is to nurture future leaders, children must be exposed from primary education onwards to the experiences and values gained through fields such as aesthetics and sports.The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the “Punchi Hapannu 2026” event held to recognize and appreciate the winners of the Primary Literary Skills Competition. The event was held on 18 June at Polpithigama National School during an educational inspection tour in the Kurunegala District, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division.The event was organized…

Jonathan David bagged a hat-trick as Canada demolished nine-man Qatar 6-0 on Thursday (Jun 18) to secure their first win at a World Cup finals and lift the co-hosts ahead of Switzerland at the top of Group B.The win came at a price, however, as Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone was carried off the pitch with an inflatable red boot on his left leg after a challenge by Assim Madibo early in the second half that earned him a red card and reduced Qatar to nine men.Cyle Larin pounced on a rebound to open the scoring before David fired home a…

A consignment of defence and medical equipment valued at USD 5 million, donated by the Government of India, was officially handed over by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Santosh Jha, to the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), on 16 June 2026 at the Army Headquarters, Akuregoda. The Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, was also present at the occasion.Addressing the gathering, H.E. Mr. Santosh Jha stated that the donation reflects the longstanding relationship between the armed forces of the two countries. He further highlighted…

Over ten tonnes of narcotics have been seized by security forces since the launch of the ‘A Nation United’ national anti-drug programme. This was revealed at the Kandy District Progress Review meeting related to this operation.Accordingly, over 2,100 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) have been seized since October 30, 2025, officials said.In addition, officials further stated that security forces have recovered over 1,950 kilograms of heroin, nearly 5,800 kilograms of cannabis, over 280 kilograms of cocaine, and 1,736,349 narcotic pills during the operations.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has initiated a special investigation into an incident that occurred on 17 June during a bomb disposal exercise conducted at the Kalpitiya Firing Range.In a statement, the Air Force said that while the exercise was in progress, three individuals entered the secured perimeter of the firing range without prior authorization or notification.At the time, seven Air Force personnel on duty, together with an officer from the Police Special Task Force (STF), questioned the three individuals regarding their identities. During the inquiry, it was established that one of the individuals was a police officer, while…

The Government of Sri Lanka has introduced a new set of regulations, effective from today (19), aimed at enhancing the monitoring and oversight of outward remittances associated with import transactions.The measures were announced through a Gazette Extraordinary issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.The regulations, promulgated by Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, amend the existing Special Import License and Payment Regulations of 2011. The new measures are designed to improve transparency in import-related foreign exchange payments and enhance coordination between commercial banks and the Sri Lanka Customs Department.Under the revised regulations,…