Author: Buzzer Editorial

A Gazette notification has been issued reducing the existing Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 200 on Dates to Rs. 01 per kilogram.The reduction of the Special Commodity Levy will be effective until 31 March 2025.

An extraordinary gazette notification under the Import and Export Control Act was issued yesterday (27), introducing revised regulations for vehicle imports for importers and commercial banks involved in vehicle import transactions. The regulations, signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, take effect immediately.Key highlights of the gazette include provisions for the re-importation of vehicles and specific criteria for importers. The Director of Sri Lanka Customs is now authorized to release vehicles for which letters of credit were issued under the Controller of Imports and Exports’ regulations between December 18, 2024, and January…

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has uncovered a racket where some traders are mixing white rice to red rice in order to meet market demands, following the shortage of red rice. According to CAA Information Director Asela Bandara, multiple complaints have been received regarding this fraudulent practice. As a response, the authority has issued directives to conduct raids targeting those involved in the racket. In addition to addressing this issue, the CAA has intensified its crackdown on traders violating price regulations. Over the past few days, more than 140 raids were conducted to prevent the sale of rice above the government-controlled price. During…

The Jaffna University Teachers’ Union has commenced a strike, withdrawing from conducting all lectures at the university.Teachers from all faculties have joined the trade union action, citing five key demands as the reason for their protest.The union has stated that the strike will continue until proper solutions are provided to address their concerns.Chief among these issues is the failure of the university administration to address the undisciplined behavior of students in the university’s Arts Faculty, along with several other unresolved matters, the Teachers’ Union said.

Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe has been appointed as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).The appointment is effective from 29 January 2025.The incumbent Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksha, is slated to retire from the service on January 29.Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe, born on 20 June 1970 in Kandy, is a proud product of St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy. He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force through 24th intake as an Officer Cadet in 1991 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch…

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara has addressed concerns circulating on social media regarding the recent granting of bail to Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, emphasizing that the decision was made following due legal process under the provisions of the Bail Act. Speaking to the media, the Minister acknowledged public doubts about whether the current government is mirroring the practices of previous administrations in handling high-profile legal cases. “There is a perception, fueled by past experiences, that arrests and detentions are followed by a media spectacle, only for individuals to be released shortly after. That is not the…

Minister Bimal Rathnayake expressed his belief that the Election Commission will take steps to hold the Local Government (LG) elections either in the second or fourth week of April 2025.He made this statement while speaking to the media in Jaffna.The Minister also stated that all parties have jointly submitted the Draft Bill to Parliament for the amendment of the Local Authorities Elections Act to conduct the LG elections.“With the agreement of the leaders of all parties, the government has submitted a draft bill to Parliament regarding the re-conduct of the local government elections. Currently, various parties have filed several petitions…

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of crime divisions at the provincial level.Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said that these divisions are being set up with the aim of combating organized crime.He mentioned that the establishment of these divisions will take place within the next two weeks.He further noted that the necessary steps are being taken to obtain approval from the National Police Commission for the appointment of officers to these divisions.Currently, such divisions have been established only in the Southern and Western Provinces.These crime divisions will also play an active role in combating drug trafficking.The police have said…

Professor Chandana Jayaratne, the Director of the Astronomy and Space Science Unit at the Department of Physics, University of Colombo says that a rare planetary alignment is observable these days. He said that the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus can be observed in this alignment.The Professor added that Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars are visible to the naked eye, with sufficient brightness.Professor Chandana Jayaratne noted that Uranus and Neptune can be viewed with the aid of a telescope.According to Professor Jayaratne, this planetary alignment will be visible for approximately 90 minutes after sunset until the 29th of January.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized that the government is taking steps to strengthen the public service as a right of the citizen and a responsibility of public officials.Highlighting the dissatisfaction among citizens regarding the current public service, the President stated that the government aims to deliver efficient services to citizens through the digitization of government services, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.These remarks were made by President Anura Kumara Disanayake during the Anuradhapura District Coordination Committee meeting held today (26) at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat.The President revealed that efforts are underway to establish an accurate data system for the…