Author: Buzzer Editorial

Kandy Divisional Crimes Unit has arrested a 37-year-old suspect involved in an alleged major racket involving ‘e-Tickets’ sold for up-country trains including to Ella.The arrest took place on the evening of January 22, 2025, in the Suduhumpola area of the Kandy Police Division, the police said.The suspect, a resident of Suduhumpola area, was found in possession of 21 ‘Odyssey’ train tickets purchased online, Rs. 130,670 in cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal sales, 130 notepads documenting previous transactions, and a mobile phone. Police suspect the individual profited from reselling train tickets, targeting foreign tourists. The suspect has been handed…

The Deputy Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni says that the prices of medicines were significantly reduced through the creation of competition among pharmaceutical suppliers.He mentioned that in the past, only one supplier had been registered for the supply of certain medicines.As a result, due to the monopoly in the market, the government was forced to purchase these medicines at higher prices.Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni explained that, accordingly, the registration of new suppliers for medicines that previously had only one supplier was expedited.He further stated that about 2,800 pharmaceutical suppliers who had submitted registration applications were swiftly examined for…

Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank Martin Raiser paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Parliament of Sri Lanka to discuss the country’s key development priorities. The meeting centered on education, gender equality, and regional inclusivity, highlighting the needs to address national challenges and drive sustainable progress, the Prime Minister’s office said.A major focus of the discussion was enhancing access to quality education, particularly through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. Both parties emphasized the importance of aligning TVET with mainstream education to create diverse career pathways for…

The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to recommence the construction of Kurinchakerny Bridge in Kinniya facilitating transportation needs of thousands of people in the area.The Ministry of Finance said that USD 10.5 million has been allocated to recommence the construction of the bridge facilitating the transportation and business needs of approximately one hundred thousand residents in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kinniya in Trincomalee District. The revised agreement in order to allocate the remaining funds of the Peradeniya Badulla Chankaladi Road Development Project was signed by Secretary to Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Mahinda Siriwardana and Director (Legal)…

The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries has urged the government for permission to import 200 million coconuts with the next few months.President of the Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries Jayantha Samarakoon said that the major reason for the current coconut shortage is the spike in fertilizer prices.Speaking at a media briefing held at the National Chamber of Commerce Auditorium yesterday (21), he mentioned that the coconut imports are essential at this time to counter a severe shortage that threatens both domestic supply and export revenue.Samarakoon attributed the coconut shortfall to skyrocketing fertilizer prices, which have discouraged growers from adequately nourishing…

Immigration and Emigration Controller Harsha Illukpitiya, who has been remanded in custody on charges of contempt of court, has been produced before the Supreme Court by prison officials this morning (22).The Immigration and Emigration Controller was remanded in custody last September on charges of contempt of court by failing to implement the interim injunctions issued by the Supreme Court in relation to the Fundamental Rights petitions filed regarding the issuance of e-visas.The petitions are scheduled to be taken up before the Supreme Court today and Illukpitiya, who has been remanded in custody, has been produced before the court for that…

Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake states that the existing Anti-Terrorism Bill would be upheld with great caution until a new legislation is enacted.Speaking in Parliament today (21), Rathnayake emphasized that the existing Anti-Terrorism Bill does not align with the government’s ambitions or policies.“The only thing to say about the Anti-Terrorism Bill is that it is not our ambition or policy. However, until a new bill is drafted, we must carefully enforce the existing law in the country. Since we are responsible for governing until new legislation is passed, this matter has already been addressed by the Minister of…

The indices of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) reached historic milestones today (January 21) as the All Share Price Index (ASPI) surpassed the 16,500-points mark and the S&P SL20 crossed 5,000 points for the first time in the capital market’s history.The ASPI increased by 224.01 points, closing at a new all-time high of 16,597.16 points, which is an increase of 1.37% compared to the previous close.Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 has gained 94.71 points to close at 5,056.74 points, also a new all-time high and an increase by 1.91%. The day has witnessed a turnover of over Rs. 8.31 billion with more…

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…