Author: Buzzer Editorial

The National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP) of the Ministry of Health says that HIV infections among the country’s youth has increased owing to factors such as the use of mobile phones and modern technology to find partners, as well as the lack of proper sex education.The Director of NSACP and Specialist in Community Medicine, Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli, stated that 15% of the HIV cases reported last year were young people aged between 15 and 24 years.Speaking at a press conference held at the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr Kumarapeli emphasized that the number of new HVI-infected patients is rapidly rising, with…

The Examinations Department has announced the postponement of the 2024 Sri Lanka Law College General Entrance Examination, originally scheduled for December, due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions in the country.The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara made this announcement during a special press briefing held today (28).He also mentioned that the First Efficiency Bar Examination for Senior Statisticians / Statisticians of the Department of Census and Statistics – 2016 (2024) will not be held on the originally scheduled dates.Both examinations were set to take place on December 1 and 2, but they will now be rescheduled. The Commissioner General stated:…

A virtual meeting was held yesterday (27) between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the President of the World Bank Group (WBG) Mr. Ajay Banga at the Presidential Secretariat, to discuss Sri Lanka’s future development priorities.The President of the World Bank Group highlighted his commitment to promoting job creation and addressing critical development challenges, the President’s Media (PMD) stated in a statement.These priorities include providing Sri Lanka with financial and technical assistance to implement innovative solutions in sectors such as People’s education, healthcare, social protection, and economic prosperity. The World Bank’s support also extends to economic policy, finance, competitiveness, investments, institutional…

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka H.E Qi Zhenhong met with the newly elected Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka Hon. Dr. Asoka Ranwala, recently in Parliament. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.Chinese Ambassador conveyed the greetings of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China (Speaker of the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China) Hon. Zhao Leji, to the newly elected Speaker of the Tenth Parliament during the meeting.Recalling the long-standing cooperation between Sri Lanka and China, the…

The Examinations Department has announced that the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination has been temporarily postponed until December 03 due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.Speaking at a special press briefing this morning (28), the Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara, confirmed that this decision was made in light of the ongoing weather-related disruptions.Furthermore, he stated that the examination will recommence on December 4 (Wednesday).

The Meteorology Department says the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located to 100 km northeast of Trincomalee at around 2.30 a.m. of November 28, 2024. It is likely to move slowly, north-northwestwards closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and intensify further into a cyclonic storm today (28).Under influence of the system cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the island, very heavyshowers and strong gusty winds can be expected in Northern province and in Trincomalee district, it said.Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern province and in Trincomalee district. Very heavy showers…

Adverse weather conditions have severely impacted 20 districts across the island, with total of 80,642 families in 166 Divisional Secretariat divisions currently affected, according to the Disaster Management Center (DMC). The DMC reports that a total of 276,550 individuals have been affected, with 16,553 people from 5,305 families seeking refuge in safe locations. Additionally, the Irrigation Department has cautioned that flood conditions in low-lying areas around reservoirs will persist. Irrigation Engineer G.W.A. Sakura Dilthara indicated that water levels in the Deduru Oya and Mahaweli River are rising, which is likely to exacerbate flooding in surrounding areas.

The Election Commission has focused its attention on determining suitable dates for the local government elections. During a meeting held yesterday (27) under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, discussions were centered on scheduling the elections without disrupting examination activities. The Chairman confirmed that a specific date for the elections has not yet been finalized. However, the Commission is expected to convene again in the coming days to reach a final decision. He further emphasized that, in accordance with a Supreme Court order, the local government elections must be held as soon as possible, and the Commission is…

Residents of the Nammuwawa Grama Niladhari Division in the Rasnayakapura Divisional Secretariat in Kurunegala District were severely affected by recent adverse weather condition. In response, the government provided dry rations to support displaced and affected individuals.Army troops promptly facilitated the distribution of these essential supplies, ensuring timely relief for the affected individuals. Additionally, Army personnel extended their support by transporting a young child, a pregnant mother, and an elderly woman to the hospital for medical care.

In response to the flood situation in the Batticaloa district with inclement weather, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed three flood relief teams to assist affected communities in Mawadiodei, Mailawadduwan, and Manmunai areas. Demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding lives, one of the teams successfully rescued a family of three trapped by rising floodwaters in Mawadiodei, Chenkaladi, today (27th November 2024).This afternoon (27th November), SLNS Kashyapa carried out this relief operation and successfully rescued a family of three, including a young child, stranded on farmland in the flood-affected Chenkaladi Mawadiodei area. Subsequently, the family was relocated at the District Secretariat of Eravur.Meanwhile,…