Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Department of Census and Statistics has set Sri Lanka’s official poverty line at Rs. 16,191 for December 2024, reflecting a rise from Rs. 16,017 in November and Rs. 15,994 in October.This threshold represents the minimum monthly amount required by an individual to meet basic needs. Accordingly, a family of four would require Rs. 64,764 to cover their essential expenses.The increase in the poverty line comes despite a decline in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) for December, the department noted.

The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) says that the government-owned paddy stores will be kept open starting today (06) for the purchase of paddy from farmers.Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board, Manjula Pinnalanda stated that accordingly, the government’s paddy stores will be opened in Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, Ampara, Kurunegala and Puttalam, where the paddy harvesting in currently taking place.He further noted that the Treasury has allocated Rs. 5 billion for the purchase of paddy.The government officially announced the prices at which the Paddy Marketing Board will purchase paddy from farmers, in a special media briefing held yesterday (05).Nadu paddy will be purchased…

Thousands of protesters set fire to the home of Bangladesh’s founding leader, as his daughter, ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a fiery social media speech calling on her supporters to stand against the interim government.Witnesses said several thousand protesters, some armed with sticks, hammers, and other tools, gathered around the historic house and independence monument, while others brought a crane and excavator to demolish the building.The rally was organised alongside a broader call, dubbed “Bulldozer Procession”, to disrupt Hasina’s scheduled 9 p.m. online address on Wednesday.Protesters, many aligned with the “Students Against Discrimination” group, had expressed their fury…

The Lanka Salt Company in Hambantota has announced an increase in salt prices, attributing the hike to the rising cost of imported salt. According to the company, the price of a 400-gram packet of salt powder has been raised by Rs. 20, from Rs. 100 to Rs. 120, while the price of a one-kilogram packet of crystal salt has increased by Rs. 60, from Rs. 120 to Rs. 180. However, the company clarified that this price adjustment is only a temporary measure. Sri Lanka’s annual salt demand stands at approximately 20,000 metric tons. However, adverse weather conditions in the final quarter of…

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha has met with Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at his official resident at Wijerama, Colombo and exchanged views.During the meeting held on Wednesday (05), the Indian High Commissioner and Rajapaksa have exchanged views on Sri Lanka – India multi-faceted ties, including connectivity projects and the latest developments in Sri Lanka.Posting on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), the former President said that Sri Lanka is looking forward to continued cooperation between both nations.Furthermore, it was reported that the discussion was also focused on current political situation and that the Indian High Commissioner…

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated in Parliament today (05) that the coconut shortage has arisen due to the fact that no government has had a proper policy to develop coconut cultivation.The Prime Minister stated that the current government is formulating a proper policy to develop coconut cultivation and that several short-term programmes are being followed in this regard.She also stated that it has been decided to allocate more money to develop coconut cultivation from this year’s budget.The Prime Minister further pointed out that the institutions related to coconut cultivation under the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure are taking…

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge has called for the impeachment of Sri Lanka’s Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe over alleged “gross abuse of power and neglect of duty” in connection with the criminal proceedings on her father’s assassination.In a letter to the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, she expressed concerns over the Attorney General’s recommendation to discharge three individuals who had been named as suspects in the case filed at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court over the inquiry into the former Sunday Leader Editor’s murder.Ahimsa Wickrematunge, who expressed gratitude to the government for its swift announcement that…

It was disclosed in the Parliament today (06) that a total of 3,477 wild elephant fatalities have occurred in Sri Lanka over the past nine years.Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi presented the figures in a report detailing the ongoing human-elephant conflict in the country. The report indicated that between 2015 and 2019, a total of 1,466 wild elephants lost their lives, while the number rose to 2,011 fatalities from 2020 to 2024.In addition, the Minister reported that the conflict has also resulted in significant loss of human lives. A total of 1,190 human fatalities were reported due to wild elephant…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited the Mahakumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, wherein he took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited the Mahakumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, wherein he took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam.Holding ‘rudraksha’ beads and chanting mantras, the prime minister offered prayers while standing in the river.“Today, I got the great fortune of performing Puja-Archana after bathing in the holy Sangam at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. I got immense peace and satisfaction from the blessings of Maa Ganga. I prayed to her for the happiness, prosperity, health and…

A suspect arrested in connection with an incident of defrauding money while posing as a Sub-Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been ordered to be remanded until February 13, after he was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The CID had arrested the suspect and produced him before the court yesterday (05), after complaints were received alleging that the suspect had intimidated various people and defrauding them of money while impersonating a Sub-Inspector (SI) attached to the CID. It is reported that the suspect was arrested following an investigation into the complaints. Accordingly, the police requested the court to remand the…