Author: Buzzer Editorial

Minister Vijitha Herath made a visit to the Colombo Port on Thursday (7) to look into the existing issues including a delay in container clearances.There, the officials shared their concerns over the persistent delays in container clearances which have been ongoing for about two years.They pointed out that, about two to three years ago despite following all the methods, around 1,800 to 2,000 containers could be dispatched from the port daily.However, they noted that recently, there have been several irregularities in the container clearance process and even when a token number is assigned for container clearance, the containers do not…

The female principal of a school in the Ragama area has been arrested for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 150,000 in exchange for admitting a student to the Grade 01 class for 2025, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said.The officers of the Bribery Commission had made the arrest last evening (07) following a complaint lodged by a woman in the Mattumagala area of Ragama.The female principal in question has demanded the bribe for the admission of the complainant’s child into Grade 01 for the academic year 2025.She was arrested while accepting the bribe at…

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced that all schools across the island will remain closed on November 13 and 14 due to the 2024 General Election.The closed schools are scheduled to reopen on November 18.The 2024 parliamentary election is scheduled to be held on November 14 (Thursday).Accordingly, the schools which are to be used as polling stations are required to be handed over to the relevant Grama Niladhari Officers after school hours on November 12All Zonal Education Directors and school principals have been notified to provide the necessary tables, chairs, and hall facilities for the polling station operations.Additionally, upon…

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) says that the courts have temporarily suspended over 3,000 driving licenses during the time elapsed this year (2024).The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasingha, stated that a total of 3,249 driving licenses have been temporarily suspended since January this year due to court orders following trials for various traffic violations committed by motorists.Meanwhile, Professor Mohamed Mahees of the Department of Sociology of the University of Colombo says that the main reasons contributing to the frequent occurrence of road accidents are reckless driving and poor vehicle conditions.Therefore, he pointed out that it is…

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya says that the government intends to provide concessions for school children to purchase stationery books, staring from next year.Attending a public meeting held in Athurugiriya, she further explained that this initiative is to be carried out as per the President’s approval.She further stated that the support receive by the country from the international community has further strengthened and the government has been able to make some concessions due to the intervention of the President.The PM said the government was able to increase the pension allowance and increase the allowance given to fishermen. “Not only the…

Another illegally assembled luxury car has been found in the garage of a ‘Kapuwa’, who was previously arrested over similar charges related to the possession of an illegally assembled vehicle.Investigating officers have located this additional luxury car during the interrogation of the ‘Kapuwa’ of the Galthenna Devalaya in Kandy, who was recently arrested and remanded, the police said.Further investigations revealed that the luxury carin question bore the same license plate as a another vehicle in the Hettipola area of Kurunegala. The car has since been taken into police custody.Theldeniya Divisional Crimes Unit is conducting further investigations into the incident.

Former Minister of State Lohan Ratwatte and his wife, who were arrested and remanded over the charges of using a luxury car illegally imported and assembled in Sri Lanka, were produced before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today (07).Ratwatte, who was arrested by Mirihana Police in Kandy on October 31, was ordered to be remanded by the Nugegoda Additional Magistrate until today (Nov. 07). However, on November 02, the former Minister was admitted to the prison hospital owing to an illness, where he was subsequently transferred to Colombo National Hospital.Meanwhile, on November 04, Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, the wife of the former State…

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick has expressed eagerness to further strengthen the strong bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. During a meeting with Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake today (6), the British High Commissioner has proposed that steps be taken to educate Sri Lankan parliamentarians about the British parliamentary system to further enhance governance in Sri Lanka, while emphasizing the significance of the British local government system, noting its potential to reduce fraud and corruption. Mr. Patrick has also highlighted the British Government’s appreciation for Sri Lanka’s ongoing partnership with the International…

The Ministry of Defence has extended the period granted to surrender all licensed firearms issued to civilians until November 21, 2024.The Ministry initially set a one-month deadline, concluding on November 7, for all firearms and ammunition issued to civilians for self-defense and other purposes to be returned to the relevant authorities.However, it has been decided to provide an extension to the relevant period, following the consideration of several facts, the Defence Ministry said.On October 04, the Ministry of Defence announced that all firearms and ammunition provided to civilians for self-defence will be acquired by the government and that they must…

The election campaigning activities for the 2024 General Election are scheduled to end at midnight on Monday (Nov. 11).Accordingly, the silence period will be in effect from midnight on Monday until Thursday (Nov. 14), when the election will be held.During this period, any form of election campaign activities are prohibited, and the police are authorized to arrest any parties that violate election rules and to enforce the law, according to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka.Meanwhile, postal voters who were unable to cast their votes on the designated days are permitted to vote at the District Secretariat corresponding to their…