Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Election Commission has announced provisions for granting leave to public and private sector employees during the upcoming parliamentary elections, allowing them to vote without a reduction in salaries or use of personal leave.As outlined in paragraph 12.3 of Chapter XII of the Establishments Code under “Special Leave of Public Officers,” public sector employees are entitled to a minimum of 4 hours of leave to vote, with special leave granted for the required time without any salary deduction.The Election Commission stated that a similar system has been arranged for private sector employees, in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission of…

The Meteorology Department requests the general public to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning during thundershowers as the atmospheric conditions are favorable further for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island.Showers or thundershowers will occur in the most parts of the island during the evening or night while showers may occur over the coastal areas of Western and Southern provinces during the morning too.Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central and Uva provinces, it added.Accordingly, the general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary…

Sri Lanka’s Galle International Stadium will stage the two-Test series against Australia in late January-early February next year, the country’s cricket board said on Friday.The first Test will begin on January 29 and the second will commence on February 6. The teams will also meet in a one-day international on February 13 at an as yet unnamed venue.The Tests are part of the International Cricket Council’s World Test Championship cycle for 2023-25. Australia are second in the standings behind India, with Sri Lanka in third place.Australia last toured Sri Lanka in an all-format series in 2022, with the hosts winning…

The Colombo High Court today (01) ordered to recall the warrant issued against former Minister Johnston Fernando, for failure to appear before the court in a case filed by the Bribery Commission, and ordered to release him on additional bail.The case was heard before Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne.President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, representing Johnston Fernando, stated that on the October 23, when the case was called, the defendant did not appear in court but instead went to give a statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the unregistered luxury car allegedly belonging to him, which was found parked…

The Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka, Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Prime Minister’s office.Mr. Adeniyi conveyed his appreciation for the increasing representation of women in Sri Lanka’s political landscape. He also reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting the country in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.During the meeting, Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized the critical role of gender equality, women’s economic engagement, addressing gender-based violence, and improving nutrition for women and girls in Sri Lanka. She further highlighted that while women’s participation in…

The Meteorology Department has issued an ‘Amber’ advisory for severe lightning for several provinces and districts. Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Uva, Eastern, North-central, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Northern provinces and in Hambantota District. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, the advisory said. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.The general public is further requested to seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees, avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms, avoid using wired telephones…

Sri Lanka’s Department of Animal Production and Health has requested the owners of pig farms across the island to visit the nearest veterinary office in order to register their farms.This request follows reports that pigs in certain pig farms in the country have contracted African swine fever for the first time.The Director of the Western Province Animal Production and Health Department, K.K. Sarath, stated that African swine fever cases have been reported in the Western Province, Uva, Northern, and North Western provinces.

At least two persons have been confirmed dead after a bus carrying around 40 passengers toppled across the road at Dunhinda Road in Badulla this morning (01), injuring 39 persons.Two female students of the Southern Campus of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) have been reported dead after the bus they were travelling in, while on a field trip, hit the curb and toppled across the Dunhinda Road in Badulla.The injured passengers were immediately rushed to the Badulla Hospital, according to Ada Derana reporter.Meanwhile, six injured persons are receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the…

The Supreme Court has dismissed four petitions filed seeking a ruling that the fundamental human rights have been violated through the government’s recent decision to reduce the interest paid for the investments of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in treasury bills and bonds to 9%, under the domestic debt restructuring process.This order was issued by the court today (30), after accepting the preliminary objections raised by several parties including the Attorney General that the relevant petitions cannot be maintained since Fundamental Rights petitions filed pertaining to the same matter have been dismissed earlier without taking into consideration.The four petitions filed by…

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held a meeting today with His Excellency Qi Zhenhong, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, at the Prime Minister’s Office. Ambassador Qi Zhenhong conveyed the Chinese government’s support for Sri Lanka’s flood relief efforts, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the two nations. Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed her appreciation to Ambassador Qi for the People’s Republic of China’s timely generosity and support during this crucial period.The discussion also extended to future engagements, with both parties emphasizing a commitment to deepening bilateral relations. In particular, they explored new…