Author: Buzzer Editorial

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has chaired a meeting this morning (11) at the Presidential Secretariat to review projects implemented under the 2025 budget allocations for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, and to discuss pre-budget proposals for 2026.President Dissanayake held separate discussions with officials on agriculture, livestock, land and irrigation, issuing directives to expedite the resolution of state-owned land issues and to establish a comprehensive sector-wide data system, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.When planning the upcoming budget, President Dissanayake emphasised the need to prioritise sectors vital to reviving the national economy, instructing officials to focus…

The potentially fatal leptospirosis (rat fever) disease is currently on the rise, according to Dr. Deepal Perera, a pediatric specialist at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital in Colombo.Dr. Perera noted that leptospirosis is most often contracted through exposure to contaminated and muddy water.He revealed this during a media briefing held in Colombo today (11).Dr. Deepal Perera stated that this period coincides with school holidays, during which children often visit paddy fields or open areas to fly kites among other activities— a major contributing factor to the increase in cases.He added that if a fever lasts for about five to six…

A suspect has been arrested by Divulapitiya Police while in possession of a large stock of ‘Ambergris’, estimated to be worth over Rs. 5 million.The suspect was arrested yesterday (10) in the Bomugammana area on the Divulapitiya-Negombo road based on information received by Divulapitiya Police. During the operation, police officers had taken into custody 1 kilogram and 200 grams of Ambergris, which the suspect had prepared to sell.The arrested suspect is a 44-year-old resident of Wathurugama, Kirindiwela. The seized Ambergris is estimated to be worth over Rs. 5 million.Ambergris, also called grey amber or whale vomit, is created by the bile duct…

South Korea’s military has shrunk to about 450,000 people – a decline of 20% over the last six years, according to a defence ministry report released by a ruling party lawmaker on Sunday.Authorities say the main reason behind the decline is the country’s dismal birth rate, which at 0.75 babies per woman is the world’s lowest.South Korea retains compulsory military service mainly because the country is still technically at war with its nuclear-armed neighbour North Korea.A study published by South Korean researchers in July had suggested that the country would need at least 500,000 soldiers to defend against an attack…

Three foreign nationals, one male and two females, have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle 12 kilograms and 160 grams of ‘Kush’ cannabis into the country.According to the police, the suspects were apprehended this morning (07) at the arrival terminal of the BIA. The arrests followed a search carried out based on a tip-off received by officials of the Airport Unit of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).The suspects are reported to be Indian nationals. The male suspect is 42 years old, while the female suspects are aged 22 and 43 while they are reportedly from…

India and Russia on Wednesday reaffirmed their strategic partnership and signed a key protocol to boost cooperation in sectors including aluminium, fertilizers, railways, and mining technology, during the 11th session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation.The meeting, held at Vanijya Bhawan in the capital, was co-chaired by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia and Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexey Gruzdev. It was conducted under the framework of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation.Around 80 delegates from both nations — comprising…

Brazil requested consultations at the World Trade Organization over tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the South American nation that went into effect on Wednesday.Trump has directly tied the 50% tariff on many imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest.“The United States has flagrantly violated key commitments the country has agreed upon at the WTO, such as the principle of the most favored nation and tariff ceilings negotiated at that organization,” Brazil’s foreign ministry said in a statement.The most favored nation principle is a…

The Ministry of Health states that school students are currently experiencing some degree of mental stress due to various social factors.Acting Director of the Directorate of Mental Health and Consultant Community Physician, Dr. Lakmini Nayana Magodaratne, stated that this was revealed in a survey conducted last year.Speaking at a press conference held at the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Magodaratne said, “In 2024, there was a school health survey in Sri Lanka, and when we looked at the data on our children, 22.4% were suffering from loneliness.11.9% of schoolchildren aged 13–17 said they had difficulty sleeping at night because they were…

The Kandy Magistrate’s Court has ordered retired Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody to be released on bail.Former Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly lodging a false complaint, was previously ordered remanded by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court.This order was issued after the retired police officer, who was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ragama, was examined by the Mahara Magistrate.On July 28, former Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody was arrested in connection with an incident of allegedly lodging a false complaint claiming that he had received death threats from notorious underworld figure Koralagamage Mandinu…