Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Meteorology Department says showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, Uva and North-western provinces after 1.00 pm.A few showers may occur in the coastal areas of Western and Southern provinces and Puttalam district during the morning too.Fairly heavy rainfall above 50 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.Mainly fair weather will prevail over the other parts of the island, it said.Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Northcentral and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts during…

The Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) states that legal action has been initiated against more than 400 traders following island-wide inspections conducted in view of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.The association’s Secretary, Chamil Muthukuda, stated that over 12,000 shops were inspected during nearly 2,000 raids carried out between April 1 and April 12.He further noted that legal action was taken against these establishments for offenses including the sale of food under unsanitary conditions and the distribution of expired food items.Muthukuda added that similar raids are scheduled to be conducted in the lead-up to the Vesak and Poson festivals.

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has announced that steps will be taken to operate between 50% and 60% of the private bus fleet island-wide starting today (16).Its Chairman, Gemunu Wijerathne, stated that private bus services are expected to return to normal operations by tomorrow (17).He further noted that although yesterday (15) was a working day, there was a noticeable decline in commuter numbers, resulting in many buses operating with few or no passengers.Meanwhile, the Department of Railways has indicated that measures are being implemented to increase the number of train services beginning today.Department Transport Superintendent Asanka Samarasinghe stated…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his Sinhala and Tamil New Year message, calls for renewal both physically and spiritually, highlighting that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.The President noted that during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice reflects our nation’s identity before the world and the strong socio-cultural bonds among communities, he said. He states that national development must be shaped in harmony with cultural heritage…

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, in her message for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, highlighted that the festival marks the auspicious transition of the sun and the arrival of spring, symbolizing renewal, prosperity, unity, and strengthened relationships. She noted that it is a time when the entire nation comes together through shared customs, offering an opportunity to move forward with hope as families and communities.She emphasized the importance of setting aside differences, embracing solidarity and goodwill, and carrying forward the resilience shown in overcoming recent challenges. The Prime Minister also extended her greetings to all Sri Lankans, including those working overseas, and…

The Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa, in his message for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year highlighted the festival as a significant cultural festival shared as a nation, built upon rich spiritual, moral, cultural, and recreational traditions that form a proud and enduring heritage, which must be protected for future generations.The message states that any government action that creates uncertainty or fails to responsibly manage sensitive matters amounts to neglect of its duty to protect cultural traditions, and raises concerns over the recent intervention in the New Year auspicious time table (Nakath Pathraya) dispute.He further notes that the New Year symbolizes…

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year has dawned today (14), at 9.32 a.m. marking the commencement of a significant cultural celebration observed across Sri Lanka.According to the auspicious times, the preparation of meals is scheduled for 10.51 a.m. Dressed in red attire and facing south, it is customary to light the hearth and prepare meals, according to the ‘Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa’ issued by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs.The auspicious time for commencing work, transactions and partaking in meals falls at 12.06 p.m. The ritual of oil anointing for the New Year will take place on April 15 at…

The US State Department has confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take part in Tuesday’s meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to Washington.Israel’s Yechiel Leiter and Lebanon’s Nada Hamadeh Moawad will join Rubio for talks set for 11:30 ET (15:30 GMT) at the State Department.The purpose of the talks is to end the conflict engulfing southern Lebanon where Israel is striking Hezbollah positions, forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee, killing more than 2,000 and injuring more than 6,500, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.On Monday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem urged Lebanon to cancel the planned meeting…

The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, Kamal Amarasinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been further remanded until April 20 by the Pilessa Magistrate”s Court in Kurunegala. He was taken into custody by the CID on March 27 in connection with an investigation into alleged irregularities in vehicle registration.According to the police, he has been charged with aiding and abetting the fraudulent registration of a vehicle by altering the chassis number of a cab.Amarasinghe was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the CID and was produced before the court today (10).

A Police Constable attached to the Dharmapuram Police Station was arrested yesterday (9) by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly accepting a bottle of liquor as a bribe.The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by a resident of the Kilinochchi area.According to the complaint, the bribe was solicited in exchange for not taking legal action against the complainant, who had been riding a newly purchased motorcycle without license plates or a valid revenue license on April 8.The suspect had initially demanded Rs. 10,000 as a bribe. When the complainant stated that…