Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake says that October 27 and November 03 will be designated as special days for the distribution of official polling cards for the upcoming General Election.Speaking to the media today (23), he stated that the official polling cards will be handed over to the Department of Posts on Saturday (26). “The issuing of the postal polling cards for the general election is being carried out today at District Secretariats across the island,” he said, adding that the total number of postal voting applications is 759,210 and that 21,160 them were rejected.Accordingly, postal polling cards…

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates says it has been actively supporting the Sri Lankan community in the UAE during the ongoing UAE amnesty programme – 2024, which commenced on 01 September and will continue until 31 October 2024. The programme provides an opportunity for individuals to regularize their visa status or return to Sri Lanka without facing penalties.The Consulate General urges all Sri Lankans without a valid passport/lost passport to apply for a Temporary Travel Document (TTD) on or before 25 October 2024, allocating sufficient time to process the request to obtain United Arab Emirates…

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo has strongly advised its citizens to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice, citing credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area.The Embassy says it has received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area. “Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, the Embassy imposed a travel restriction on Embassy personnel for Arugam Bay effective immediately and until further notice.”“U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice,” the security alert said.

Former Minister Johnston Fernando has arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to provide a statement regarding the unregistered luxury car allegedly belonging to him, which was found parked at a star-class hotel in Colombo.A petition filed by Fernando, seeking an order to prevent his arrest over the incident, was taken up for consideration yesterday (22). During the hearing, his attorneys informed the court that Fernando was prepared to appear before the CID today to give a statement on the matter.The court has scheduled the petition to be called again on October 25.Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Fernando remarked, “Let’s see…

Mr. Marc-Andre Franche the UN Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya at her office yesterday (22). Mr.Franche extended his best wishes to the Prime Minister and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to assist Sri Lanka in its development Initiatives.UN offered its support to Sri Lanka’s poverty reduction agenda and digitalisation programme .The meeting also highlighted the issue of woman empowerment with the UN saying it is keen to assist in the process of empowering women in Sri Lanka.Also in attendance were Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Mahinda Gunarathna,…

Former President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has expressed his willingness to provide testimony in any court in the country, except the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court, regarding the disappearance of two human rights activists in 2011. This statement was made through his lawyer, Romesh de Silva, during a hearing at the Supreme Court today (October 22).The case pertains to the abduction of Lalith Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan, two activists who went missing in Jaffna in 2011. Rajapaksa, who was then the Defense Secretary, was initially summoned to testify in the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court. However, he argued that due to security concerns,…

Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake have seized large quantities of a variety of drugs including ‘Ice’, ‘Mandy’ and Kush cannabis concealed in seven parcels which were sent to the country via air cargo from several foreign countries.Following information received from an air freight company at the BIA premises, the PNB officers had opened and inspected the suspicious parcels at the air freight company yesterday (21).Accordingly, upon inspection in total 07 kg and 21 g of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), 01 kg and 338 g of ‘Mandy,’ a synthetic chemical drug also known as…

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon (22) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. During their meeting, Ambassador Qi made a donation of LKR 30 million (USD 100,000) as emergency flood relief to assist those affected by the recent flooding in the country, the President’s Media Division (PMD) stated.In addition to immediate relief measures, the discussion also extended to a dialogue about long-term flood prevention and management strategies, the statement said.They discussed sustainable approaches to enhance the resilience of communities against future flooding, it added.Recent reports indicate that heavy rains have led…

A new chairman and commission members have been appointed to the National Transport Commission (NTC).Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to these appointments yesterday (21).Accordingly, Dr. Bandura Dileepa Witharana has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Transport Commission. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka.The other members appointed to the commission include: • W. Ravi Prasad De Mel – Senior Lecturer at University of Sri Jayawardenapura • Mrs. Dr. Namali Tharanga Sirisoma – Senior Lecturer at Sir John Kotelawala Defence University • A.I.U. Perera – Commissioner of Inland…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Provincial Governors to prepare and submit a new proposal aimed at rationalizing the Provincial Council mechanism.The President also stated that, given the current government’s transitional period, the provincial councils must strive to deliver the best possible services to improve the living conditions of the people.President Dissanayake made these remarks during a discussion held with the Governors this morning (22) at the Presidential Secretariat.He urged the Governors to engage in all possible economic and social initiatives to improve the living conditions of the public, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.During the meeting, the President…