Author: Buzzer Editorial

A Gazette notification has been issued by the Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa prohibiting the featuring of children under the age of 12 years in advertising of food items with effect from January 01, 2025.The regulations have been made by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, in consultation with the Food Advisory Committee under Section 32 of the Food Act, No. 26 of 1980.Accordingly, the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2022, published in Gazette Extraordinary, No. 2319/40 of February 14, 2023, as amended by Gazette Extraordinary, No. 2364/24 of 27th December, 2023 has been further amended.

Sri Lanka Police announced that a special traffic plan will be implemented in Colombo for New Year’s Eve as a large number of people and vehicles are expected to arrive at the Galle Face Green premises tomorrow (December 31) to celebrate the dawn of 2025. Accordingly, the special traffic plan will be implemented to reduce the severe traffic congestion expected in Colombo city including in areas such as Pettah, Fort, Kompanna Vidiya, Maradana, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Cinnamon Garden police areas. Sri Lanka Police further said that vehicles will not be allowed to be parked in the parking areas located on Galle Central…

The government has decided to celebrate the 77th National Independence Day at the Independence Square in Colombo, at a minimal cost.The Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, Dr. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, emphasized that the event should be marked with pride and grandeur to reflect the nation’s dignity.However, he added that since the country’s economy is in a state of collapse, attention should be paid to celebrating the 77th National Independence Day at a minimal cost.Speaking at the first organizing committee meeting for the 77th National Independence Day celebrations, held today (30) at the Auditorium of the Ministry of…

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board announced that compensation for crop damage caused by floods, droughts, and wild elephant attacks during the 2024 ‘Yala’ season will be fully disbursed by January 5, 2025. Issuing a statement, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board noted that between March and October 2024, significant damage was reported to paddy fields and other crops across the country and that natural disasters such as droughts and floods, as well as incidents involving wild elephants, were cited as the primary causes of these losses. To date, compensation totaling nearly Rs. 80 million has been disbursed to 80% of affected…

Major General Lasantha Rodrigo has been appointed as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, while Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda was appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Ministry of Defence announced.Accordingly, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo takes over as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, as the Army Chief, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage retires from active service.A seasoned military officer, Major General Rodrigo previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, demonstrating a distinguished career in leadership and service.He also previously served as the Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College.Meanwhile,…

A killer has been jailed for 37 years for murdering his wife with an axe in front of their teenage children, in what a judge has described as a brutal and horrific attack.Dinush Kurera, 47, blinked and looked straight ahead as Victorian Supreme Court Justice Amanda Fox handed down his sentence today.He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.Kurera claimed he was acting in self-defence when he repeatedly stabbed his wife Nelomie Perera with an axe and knife at her Melbourne home on December 3, 2022.But a jury rejected his story and in August found him guilty of murder…

The Department of Census and Statistics has completed the final phase of this year’s Population and Housing Census, with data collection focusing on homeless individuals conducted yesterday (18), between 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.Director General of the Department, Anoja Seneviratne, announced that the completion of this phase marks the conclusion of the 2024 census activities. However, the next five days will be allocated for updating and finalizing the collected data.The nationwide census, which began on October 7, aimed to gather comprehensive information on individuals and housing. The Department has urged households that have not been visited by census officers to…

A boat carrying over 100 refugees from Myanmar has reached the shores of the Mullivaikkal area in Mullaitivu, according to Sri Lanka Navy and Police officers in Mullaitivu.The refugees were reportedly being illegally transported from Myanmar to another country in the muti-day vessel when they had faced a shortage of food and water mid-sea, forcing the boat to land at the Mullivaikkal coast. Security authorities have confirmed that the Sri Lanka Navy is providing food and water to the refugees, and that the future course of action with regard to the refugees is under consideration.Police also revealed that nearly 25 children…

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the import of high-quality genetic dairy cattle from Pakistan in an effort to increase local milk production.A budget of Rs. 100 million each was allocated in both 2023 and 2024 to acquire these high-quality dairy cattle with good genetics, but due to complications in the procurement process, the required cattle have not been obtained so far. In response, the government has reached out to several countries regarding the possibility of a direct government-to-government transaction for suitable cattle.The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), with the mediation of the Pakistan High Commission, has agreed…

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the review of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) with non-commercial interests.This proposal was presented by the President at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (18).The government has been tasked with essential responsibilities such as providing public services, ensuring national security, maintaining law and order, regulating markets, ensuring equitable resource distribution, managing disasters, and overseeing social welfare. Currently, 86 departments, 25 District Secretariats, 339 Divisional Secretariats, 340 State-Owned Enterprises, and 115 non-commercial state statutory bodies are involved in carrying out these duties.The National Budget has allocated about Rs. 140 billion for the operation of 115 non-commercial state…