Author: Buzzer Editorial

Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne, stated that the government has decided to provide an additional fertilizer subsidy to small-scale tea plantation owners. He noted that the necessary funds for the initiative have already been allocated by the Treasury.Minister Vidyaratne further stated that although there is currently no shortage of fertilizer in the country, fertilizer prices may increase in the future.Elaborating further, the Minister stated, “Given the current global situation, fertilizer prices have increased, while shipping costs and maritime insurance premiums have also risen. As a result, the cost of imported fertilizer is expected to continue increasing. Despite these…

A total of 198 foreign nationals, including 173 Indians and 25 Nepalese nationals, have been arrested in separate raids conducted in the Galle, Hikkaduwa and Midigama areas for allegedly engaging in cybercrime activities, Sri Lanka Police said.This includes 110 Indian nationals arrested while staying at two lodges in the Galwadugoda and Sri Sumedha Mawatha areas in Galle, on suspicion of committing offences under the Computer Crimes Act.The arrests were made during a raid carried out by officers attached to the Galle Police Station.According to police, the suspects are aged between 19 and 35 years.Police also recovered 58 computers and 79…

A total of 16 major reservoirs and 10 medium-sized reservoirs managed by the Department of Irrigation are currently spilling due to the prevailing heavy rainfall across the country, according to Director of Irrigation (Water Management) Eng. H.M.P.S.D. Herath.Among the major reservoirs currently spilling are the Rajanganaya Reservoir in Anuradhapura District, Sorabora Wewa in Badulla District, and the Weerawila Reservoir, Lunugamwehera Reservoir, and Weheragala Reservoir in Hambantota District. Other affected reservoirs include the Magalla Reservoir and Deduru Oya Reservoir in Kurunegala District, the Wemadilla Reservoir and Nalanda Reservoir in Kandy District, as well as the Alikota Ara Reservoir in Monaragala District.Herath…

Schools in the Deniyaya Education Zone, which were temporarily closed due to a flu outbreak, are scheduled to reopen tomorrow (13).Southern Province Education Secretary Nishantha Pathirana stated that the decision was taken during a discussion held yesterday (11) under the patronage of the Governor of the Southern Province.Last Thursday, four schools in the Deniyaya Education Zone were temporarily closed after a flu outbreak was reported among students. Health authorities stated that approximately 56 students in the affected schools had contracted the illness.The Provincial Education Secretary further noted that a health-safe environment has since been established in the relevant schools, while…

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (12), according to his media spokesperson Attorney Manoj Gamage.He said former President Rajapaksa is expected to present himself at the Commission at 9.00 a.m. tomorrow.Gamage noted that discussions are currently underway regarding certain procedural matters and a meeting with the legal team is planned for later today to further review the situation.He added that the summons is reportedly based on a statement given by the late former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena.However, he pointed out that Chandrasena…

A passenger of a cruise ship that was struck by an outbreak of hantavirus has shown symptoms of the disease while being repatriated to France, the country’s prime minister has said.Sébastien Lecornu said the French national developed symptoms while on a chartered flight from Tenerife to Paris, and so all five evacuated from the MV Hondius had been “immediately placed in strict isolation until further notice”.The French citizens are among more than 90 tourists to be ferried home from the Dutch vessel on Sunday, which anchored off the Canary Islands before dawn.Three passengers have died after travelling on the ship,…

Heavy rainfall caused by the prevailing weather conditions may lead to rising water levels in reservoirs across the country, according to the Department of Irrigation.The Director of Irrigation (Hydrology & Disaster Management), Lasantha Sooriyabandara said authorities have already begun releasing water from reservoirs identified as being at risk.Speaking during the Ada Derana ‘Big Focus’ program, Director Sooriyabandara stated that approximately 65 percent of the country’s total reservoir capacity is currently filled. Of the 73 major reservoirs, 12 are already spilling, along with six medium-sized reservoirs.He warned that the spilling of the Weheragala Reservoir has created a potentially dangerous situation in…

The next revision of water tariffs will take place on June 30, the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe has stated.Speaking on the matter, Minister Ranasinghe noted that water charges are reviewed twice a year in line with existing conditions.He said accordingly the upcoming water tariff revision will be implemented based on the situation prevailing by June 30.Meanwhile, the electricity tariff revision for the second and third quarters of this year is scheduled to be implemented from today (11).The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) recently approved the implementation of the electricity tariff revision for…

The government has decided to permit the private-sector to distribute urea fertilizer, according to Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Thushara Wickramaarachchi.The Director General said the prevailing fertilizer issue would be resolved within this week and urged that no false narrative of a fertilizer shortage be created, noting that farmers are particularly sensitive to such reports.Dr. Wickramaarachchi further stated that sufficient fertilizer stocks are available in the country and that the government has already prepared a programme to procure fertilizer supplies for the forthcoming Maha season.Meanwhile, despite having made payments to obtain the fertilizer required for cultivation, farmers…

The largest-ever outdoor exhibition of work by the world-renowned artist Henry Moore has gone on display at Kew Gardens.Monumental Nature includes 30 works across the botanic gardens in west London and will run until 31 January 2027. Four sculptures will remain at Wakehurst, Kew’s 500-acre wild botanic garden in Sussex, until May 2027.Kew said the art would offer “visitors a journey through the beauty and rich variety of Moore’s oeuvre, exploring his exceptional output”.Moore is regarded as one of the greatest British artists of the 20th century. He specialised in semi-abstract bronze sculptures which were displayed in public places.Paul Denton,…