Author: Buzzer Editorial

An Immigration and Emigration Authorized Officer has been apprehended on Monday (20) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 500,000 at the Welisara Detention Center. The arrest was made by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).The officer, attached to the Immigration and Emigration Department’s Welisara Detention Center, reportedly demanded the bribe to facilitate the release of a detainee. The detainee, a resident of Nallur North in Jaffna, had been detained at the Welisara Detention Center for overstaying in Sri Lanka without a valid visa.CIABOC investigators conducted a sting operation at approximately 4:42 p.m., apprehending the officer…

Former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has left the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after recording a statement.The former Minister of Foreign Employment, who arrived at the CID at around 9.00 a.m. this morning (21) left the premises after around 6 hours.He had arrived to record a statement regarding an investigation pertaining to job opportunities provided for Sri Lankans in South Korea, during the previous government.Nanayakkara’s attorney yesterday informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that the ex-minister is prepared to provide a statement to the CID today regarding the matter.Appearing on behalf of the former parliamentarian, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris informed this to the…

The stretch of road near the 18 Hairpin Bends (18 Wanguwa) on the Kandy – Mahiyanganaya road will be temporarily closed for traffic near Kahatagolla from 6.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. daily until further notice.This decision has been taken owing to the risk of rockslides in the area, according to Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte. Accordingly, the District Secretary further stated that rockslides have currently been reported on the main road in the vicinity of the Kahatagolla area of Hunnasgiriya.Measures had been taken to temporarily close the road as there are risks of further rockslides while it was reopened after the…

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered the police to arrest Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna and to investigate the incident involving his alleged obstruction of police duties and traffic violations in Anuradhapura. Additionally, the magistrate has instructed Anuradhapura Police to report facts to the court by February 03, 2025.Police launched an investigation against the parliamentarian for allegedly obstructing the duties of traffic police officers in the Rambewa area in Anuradhapura last evening (20) and facts related to the incident was presented before the court by Anuradhapura Police. Following this, the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court issued the arrest order, according to Police Media…

The United States will exit the World Health Organization, President Donald Trump said on Monday, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.Trump said the WHO had failed to act independently from the “inappropriate political influence of WHO member states” and required “unfairly onerous payments” from the U.S. that are disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China.“World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump said at the signing.The move means the U.S. will leave the United Nations health…

Several spells of showers will occur in Eastern, North-central and Uva provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota districts today (21), the Department of Meteorology said.Issuing its latest weather forecast, the Met. Department stated that a few showers may occur in the Northern Province as well.Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere in the evening or night, it added.Fairly strong winds of 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slope of the central hills and Northern, North-central, Eastern and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts, according to the Met. Department.Meanwhile, misty conditions can be…

While highlighting plans to embark on an official visit to the Middle East in February, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined that the discussions will aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s energy and economic sectors.Speaking at a public meeting, the President detailed ongoing discussions regarding the import of petroleum and the establishment of an oil refinery in collaboration with India.Highlighting plans for an oil refinery, the President revealed that the project would be developed in partnership with India, with aspirations of exporting petroleum globally.“We will join hands with the Indian company and build an oil refinery,” the President stated. “ We will…

The prevailing adverse weather conditions have severely affected 15 districts across the island, displacing thousands and causing significant disruptions. According to the Disaster Management Center (DMC), a total of 20,300 individuals from 6,785 families have been affected by the heavy rains, strong winds, and associated disasters. The extreme weather has claimed two lives and injured three persons in separate incidents. Meanwhile, the Kandy-Mahiyanganaya main road, which was closed last night due to the risk of mudslides and rockfalls, has now been reopened. Authorities had taken precautionary measures to close the road between the Thannekumbura Junction in Kandy and the Hasalaka Bridge Junction at…

The United States will exit the World Health Organization, President Donald Trump said on Monday, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.Trump said the WHO had failed to act independently from the “inappropriate political influence of WHO member states” and required “unfairly onerous payments” from the U.S. that are disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China.“World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump said at the signing.The move means the U.S. will leave the United Nations health…

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath states that the government plans to provide vehicles for all 225 Members of Parliament in the near future. He clarified that MPs will no longer be granted permits to import vehicles. The minister made these remarks during his appearance on “360°” current affairs programme on TV Derana last night (20).Explaining the decision, Minister Herath stated, “The government will take steps to ensure all MPs are provided with vehicles, eliminating the need for individual vehicle import permits.”