Author: Buzzer Editorial

Three Chinese nationals have been arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), after being found in possession of a large consignment of mobile phones and batteries allegedly smuggled into the country, officials said.The suspects were intercepted on last evening (19) while attempting to exit through the “Green Channel” at the arrival terminal.The group had arrived in Sri Lanka at 6.43 p.m. on China Eastern Airlines flight MU-6017 from Shanghai, China.Among them are a 34-year-old Chinese woman and two male passengers aged 35.Customs officers became suspicious after one male passenger entered the Green Channel carrying a black polythene…

Politics is not something separate from development and it shapes every choice we make in governance, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated.She made these remarks while addressing the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, Brighton during her official visit to the United Kingdom.The Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation landed at London’s Heathrow Airport on 18 May, commencing the official visit to the UK.The delegation was warmly received at the Heathrow Airport by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, together with the Special Representative to the Secretary of…

Police have opened fire on a lorry suspected of illegally transporting cattle in Kattakaduwa, Hungama, resulting in the arrest of four suspects, authorities said.The incident occurred this morning (20) following information received by the Hungama Police Officer-in-Charge regarding the illegal transport of cattle by lorry. Acting on the tip-off, police had set up a roadblock in Kattakaduwa.However, the lorry allegedly ignored the checkpoint and fled the scene.Police said officers then pursued the vehicle and attempted to bring it to a stop, but it continued driving without complying with instructions.As a result, police opened fire and managed to stop the lorry.…

The number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka so far has crossed the 950,000 mark, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) stated.Accordingly, a total of 951,742 tourists have visited the country between January 1 and May 17, 2026.The highest number of arrivals has been recorded from India, with 221,953 tourists, the SLTDA noted.A significant number of visitors have also arrived from countries including the United Kingdom, Russia, China and Germany.Meanwhile, the SLTDA stated that a total of 75,465 tourists arrived in the country between May 1 and May 17, 2026.However, the data indicate that daily tourist arrivals in May…

INCOHST is the brainchild of Nawaloka College of Higher Studies and stands today as one of Sri Lanka’spioneering school-level technology competitions focused on innovation and emerging technologies.First launched in 2018, INCOHST was introduced as the country’s first interschool IoT (Internet of Things)competition with the objective of creating awareness about IoT among Sri Lankan students whileproviding a platform for young innovators to design solutions that address real social needs throughtechnology. The landmark initiative was organized by NCHS with the support of Swinburne University ofTechnology and quickly gained recognition for encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and practicalinnovation among school students.INCOHST 2026Building on the…

The depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee during this year has been primarily driven by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the resulting increase in global oil prices, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has stated.Speaking at a media briefing held today (18), Governor Weerasinghe noted that rising foreign exchange requirements for oil imports have placed additional pressure on the rupee.He further pointed out that in 2026, the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated by 4.8%, while other regional currencies have also weakened, including the Indian rupee by 6.4%, the Nepalese rupee by…

With 148 years of trusted heritage under the Hayleys Group, Hayleys Mobility continuesto lead Sri Lanka’s automotive sector by combining innovation, luxury, anduncompromised safety. Reinforcing this commitment, the JAECOO J7 PHEV hasachieved the highest possible five-star rating in both the 2025 Euro NCAP andAustralasian NCAP (ANCAP)assessments, excelling across all key categories, includingadult and child occupant protection, vulnerable road user safety, and advanced safetyassist systems.The JAECOO J7 PHEV integrates advanced structural engineering with intelligentdriver-assistance technologies to deliver comprehensive protection for occupants androad users alike. From enhanced frontal and side-impact protection to features such asautonomous emergency braking, cyclist detection, and blind-spot monitoring…

The selling rate of the US dollar has exceeded Rs. 334, according to the latest daily exchange rates issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (18).The Central Bank stated that the buying rate of the US dollar was recorded at Rs. 326.74, while the selling rate stood at Rs. 334.26.This marks the highest recorded selling rate for the US dollar since November 29, 2023, when the selling price was reported at Rs. 334.22.Meanwhile, the buying rate recorded today is also the highest since March 20, 2023, when the buying price of a US dollar was reported at Rs.…

Compensation for crop damage caused by the recent adverse weather conditions will be provided through the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Namal Karunaratne has stated.The Deputy Minister noted that information regarding the affected farmland is currently being collected and urged farmers to submit details of crop damage to the relevant officials.He noted that reports had been received about cultivation lands damaged by the recent heavy rains and said instructions had already been issued through the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board and other departments to report all damaged crops within two weeks.According to the…

A three-wheeler buried under a landslide near the Maspanna town in Uva Paranagama during Cyclone Ditwah has been recovered after 171 days.The landslide occurred near the Maspanna town bus stand, burying several parked buses, motorcycles, three-wheelers and a number of nearby shops under massive amounts of soil and rock.Authorities said the removal of debris had to be carried out slowly due to the continuing risk at the site. Clearance operations are still underway.The three-wheeler was discovered during the ongoing excavation work and is believed to belong to a conductor attached to the Walapane Depot.According to reports, the conductor had parked…