Author: Buzzer Editorial

The first phase of the third term for the year 2024 of Sinhala and Tamil medium government and government-approved schools will end tomorrow (22), according to the Ministry of Education.Accordingly, the school term holidays will commence from tomorrow.However, for Muslim schools, the first phase of the third term will end on December 13, with term holidays starting from following day.The second phase of the third school term for the academic year 2024 is scheduled to commence on January 2, 2025 (Thursday).

The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), has decreased to -0.7% in October 2024 from -0.2% in September 2024, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics. Meanwhile, food inflation also decreased to -0.16% in October, down from 0.5% in September 2024.The NCPI for all items for the month of September 2024 is 203.6 and it records a decrease of -0.5 in index points compared to September 2024.The month-on-month change was contributed by a decrease in food items of 0.16% and in non-food items of 0.35%, respectively.

The Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two suspects along with over 3.5 kg of ‘ICE’ drugs (crystal methamphetamine) and Rs. 11 million in cash during two separate raids conducted at Gonahena in Kadawatha and Dekatana in Dodampe.The arrests have been made during operations carried out last night (20) by officers of the Special Operations Command of the Police Special Task Force (STF).During the time of the arrest, suspects were in possession of approximately 3 kg and 536 g of ‘ICE’ (crystal methamphetamine), Rs. 11 million in cash suspected to have been earned from drug trafficking, three mobile phones…

National People’s Power (NPP) Gampaha District Member of Parliament Asoka Sapumal Ranwala has been unanimously appointed as the new Speaker of Parliament.He was nominated by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the commencement of the inaugural session of the tenth Parliament.The proposal was seconded by Minister Vijitha Herath.The first sitting of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka commenced at 10.00 a.m. this morning (21) with the participation of the newly-elected legislators.Welcoming the new Speaker, representatives of political parties including PM Harini Amarasuriya, Samagi Jaba Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauf hakeem extended their best wishes…

Former Ministers Ramesh Pathirana, Roshan Ranasinghe and Prasanna Ranatunga have arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning (21), in order to provide statements pertaining to the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials.Meanwhile, former Minister Harin Fernando has reportedly informed that he will appear before the CID tomorrow (22) to record a statement regarding the matter. On November 12, the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court had ordered to record statements from 18 then-Cabinet Ministers pertaining to the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials.The Attorney General’s Department has informed the court that statements are required to be obtained from 18 individuals…

Ukraine fired a volley of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia on Wednesday, the latest new Western weapon it has been permitted to use on Russian targets a day after it fired U.S. ATACMS missiles.The strikes were widely reported by Russian war correspondents on Telegram and confirmed by an official on condition of anonymity. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s General Staff said he had no information.Moscow has said the use of Western weapons to strike Russian territory far from the border would be a major escalation in the conflict. Kyiv says it needs the capability to defend itself by hitting…

The National Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka (NCISL) recently launched its all-new website, www.helpapeksha.com with the gracious presence of Dr.P.G.Mahipala-Secretary of Ministry of Health, Dr. Asela Gunawardena – Director General of Health Services of Ministry of Health, Mr. Shevan Goonetilleke-the Chief Executive Officer of MillenniumIT ESP, Mr.Channa de Silva-Chief Executive Officer of LankaPay (Pvt) Ltd, Mrs.Ayodhya Iddawela-Managing Director at Sampath Bank PLC, Sri Lanka’s beloved musical duo Bathiya & Santhush as the Brand Ambassadors along with Mr.Umesh Gautam,-Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director of Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC, and the NCISL Hospital Director Dr. Aruna Dissanayaka along with his staff, and Dr. Binara Jayawardena with the committee members. This meticulously designed platform streamlines the donation process and provides greater transparency…

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) recently concluded Sri Lanka’s first ever International Director Conference. The event was held under the theme ‘The Courage To be Bold’ and was designed to inspire leaders to take on challenges in the ever-evolving corporate landscape and provide them with essential tools to charge their growth trajectories upward.The groundbreaking event offered participants an opportunity to gain insightful knowledge and take in incredible success stories of over 25 experts from various industries, whose boldness, resilience and innovativeness helped them excel in a challenging and constantly evolving local and global landscape.Mr. Hanif Yoosuf, Co- Founder…

The Fabric and Apparel Accessory Manufacturer’s Association (FAAMA), a subsidiary association of the Joint Apparel Association Forum of Sri Lanka (JAAF), hosted its 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024, at Jetwing Colombo Seven on the 29th of the October 2024. The event was attended by Chief Guest, Mr. Doug Sonnek, the Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, and Guest of Honour Mr. Saif Jafferjee, Chairman of the JAAF Sri Lanka.The AGM also was attended by representatives of JAAFmember associations including Mr. Yohan Lawrence, JAAFSL Secretary General, and other distinguished guests such as Mrs. Renuka M. Weerakoon, Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka and P.B Hemantha Jayasinghe, Director…

Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu are separating after 29 years of marriage. The couple tied the knot on March 12, 1995. AR Rahman shared a heartbreaking post on X (formerly known as Twitter) sharing information about his divorce. In his post on X Rahman expressed that he was expecting a ‘grand thirty’. His post reads, “We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts. Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not…