Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan concluded his two-day visit to Sri Lanka this afternoon (20).The Indian delegation headed by Vice President Radhakrishnan, which arrived yesterday, left for Delhi from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).During his visit, Vice President Radhakrishnan held bilateral discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in a continuation of the recent high-level diplomatic engagements, reinforcing the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Vice President also participated in several events and engaged with political and community leaders in Sri Lanka.A number of Memoranda of Understanding between the…

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday (Apr 20) afternoon, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.It warned of a tsunami as high as 3m in Iwate prefecture and parts of Hokkaido.There was also a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck off the east coast of Honshu.Source: Reuters

Iran has not yet decided whether it will attend a second round of negotiations with the US, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry says.‘‘As of now… we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard,’’ spokesman Esmail Baghaei says, in a translation from the AFP news agency.President Trump has said he is sending a delegation to Pakistan led by Vice-President JD Vance for talks planned for Monday evening. Trump’s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were also due to attend.On Sunday Iranian state media reported officials had…

The Mayor of the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council, Upali Wanigasekera, has announced that steps will be taken to regulate tourist boat services at Gregory Lake under strict safety guidelines.This decision follows an incident involving two tourist boats that occurred yesterday (April 19).The Mayor further stated that, following the incident, the owners and operators of approximately 120 tourist boats stationed at Gregory Lake were summoned and instructed on the required safety measures.Accordingly, operators were briefed on key safety requirements, including the provision of life jackets for all passengers, adherence to strict speed limits, and the conduct of boat operations in a…

In line with global market trends, gold prices in Sri Lanka have increased by around Rs. 2000, according to local market data.As of today (20), the world price of gold has increased to $ 4,829 per ounce.Accordingly, the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign at the Colombo Sea Street gold market rose to Rs. 370,000.Meanwhile, the price of a pound of “24 carat” gold, which was Rs. 400,000 yesterday (19), has increased to Rs. 402,000 today, according to Colombo Sea Street gold market.

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning across all provinces of Sri Lanka.The advisory, issued at noon today (April 20), will be in effect until 11.00 p.m.Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m.The Department further stated that temporary localized strong winds may occur during thundershowers.The general public has been advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning activity.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated that a significant plan is in place to regain political power in the New Year.Asserting that a political shift is imminent, he noted that his party is fully prepared for the change.The former President further mentioned that, as May Day coincides with a Poya day this year, the party will refrain from holding traditional celebrations and will instead engage in religious observances.Following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, activities at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party headquarters at Nelum Mawatha commenced today (April 20).The event was held under the patronage of former President…

A life jacket worn by a Titanic survivor has been sold at auction to a collector for £670,000.It is the only life jacket from the Titanic to be sold at auction in the 114 years since the ship sank, going under the hammer at Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, Wiltshire.First class passenger Laura Mabel Francatelli, who was one of about 700 people to survive the tragedy in 1912, used the vest before entering a lifeboat.Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said he was ‘‘ecstatic’’. He added: ‘‘It reflects the ongoing interest and passion for the story of the Titanic, and its passengers…

The Department of Meteorology has announced that fairly heavy rainfall between 75 mm and 100 mm is expected today (April 20) in certain areas of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, North-Central, and Southern provinces.Director of the Forecasting Division at the Department of Meteorology, Meril Mendis, further stated that showers or thundershowers are expected across most parts of the island after 1:00 p.m. today.He cautioned the public to remain vigilant, as the heavy rains may be accompanied by strong gusty winds and severe lightning.He also noted that the prevailing rainy conditions are likely to continue over the next few days, providing temporary…

It is reported that more than 150,000 passengers have utilized the services of the Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC) during the festive season.Management Assistant of the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center, Nimal Wettasinghe, stated that this number of passengers availed themselves of transport services through the facility from April 8 to April 19.He further noted that over 2,600 buses were deployed from the Makumbura passenger terminal to accommodate the increased demand for travel. These services were coordinated jointly by the National Transport Commission (NTC), the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority, he said.Wettasinghe also stated that…