Author: Buzzer Editorial

Due to ongoing fuel supply challenges, the Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, has announced that tuition classes will also be prohibited on Wednesdays.Earlier, the government had decided to declare all Wednesdays as holidays for government schools in light of the fuel shortage.Accordingly, Wednesday has been designated as a weekly holiday for government institutions, including courts, schools, and universities.However, essential services such as healthcare, ports, water supply, energy, and customs will continue to operate and are exempt from this special holiday.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) may consider releasing additional emergency oil stocks if required. This follows what is already the largest release of reserves in history, yet still leaves over 1.4 billion barrels in reserve, according to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.Birol explained that despite the large scale release, IEA countries’ emergency stocks would only be reduced by approximately 20%. This indicates significant reserves remain available if future circumstances necessitate further action.The statement underscores the IEA’s preparedness in managing global oil supply challenges through strategic reserves, ensuring stability in volatile energy markets.(With inputs from agencies.)

The US embassy in Baghdad has been targeted by a wave of drone and rocket attacks, according to reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse (AFP).Iraqi security sources have told the latter that it was “the most intense assault since the attacks began”.The embassy had issued a fresh security alert to US citizens in Iraq roughly six hours prior, where they warned that “Iran-aligned terrorist militias have repeatedly attacked the International Zone” in central Baghdad.Source: BBC

In light of the prevailing global crisis and in line with government measures to minimize fuel consumption, the Ministry of Health has authorized officers in selected sectors to work from home every Wednesday.This directive was issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, through an official announcement.According to the notice, effective from this week and until further notice, officers attached to the following buildings and departments are required to work from home on Wednesdays:• All departments located in the New Ministry Building on Castle Street• All departments located at the Anti-Malaria Campaign Headquarters in…

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war.‘‘We’ve requested that we delay it a month or so,’’ he told reporters at the White House, adding that it was important that he remained available to oversee the war.The meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is currently set to take place between 31 March to 2 April, following their last face to face talks in October last year.The Iran war has eclipsed most of Trump’s other foreign…

The Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe, has announced that all government schools will remain closed on Wednesdays due to the ongoing fuel supply crisis. In response to an inquiry by Ada Derana, he further stated that this decision was taken in line with the government’s move to grant leave to public sector employees every Wednesday.President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that, in light of the current challenges, measures are being implemented to manage energy efficiently while ensuring the continuity of economic activities and essential services across the country.The President made these remarks during a meeting held at the Presidential…

President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL), Prasad Manage, says that vehicle importers have encountered difficulties due to the QR code–based fuel quota system introduced by the government for fuel distribution.Speaking at a media briefing today (16), he stated that vehicle importers are facing challenges in obtaining fuel for imported vehicles under the current system and emphasized the need for an appropriate arrangement to address the issue.He explained that vehicles arriving at the Hambantota Port cannot be transported to Colombo due to the lack of fuel and expressed the association’s readiness to hold discussions with the government…

The Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, stated that a QR code-based fuel quota system would not be necessary if the public uses fuel sparingly in light of the current crisis.He made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held today (16).During the meeting, Abeysinghe emphasized that the issue is not unique to Sri Lanka, but is a challenge currently affecting many countries around the world.Accordingly, he urged the public to minimize energy consumption as much as possible in order to help ease the situation.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (16) ordered that the complaint filed against former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra and 14 others, over allegations that the suspects caused public inconvenience, be taken up again on August 17, 2026. The complaint was filed over allegations that the suspects caused public inconvenience by staging an unauthorized street drama near Independence Square in 2022.The case was taken up before Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today, Ada Derana reporter said. During the hearing, officers from the Sri Lanka Police informed court that investigations related to the incident have been completed and that the investigation files have been…

Indictments were filed before the Colombo High Court today (16) against former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena over allegations of corruption.The indictments were filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), said Ada Derana reporter.