Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to call for open tenders to purchase 15 million polycarbonate cards to issue new electronic National Identity Cards (e-NIC).The e-NIC project is introduced to collect the biodata, biometric data, family information, and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) certified photographs of every Sri Lankan citizen over the age of 15, and issue electronic National Identity Cards with Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) numbers to every registered person.The government has estimated it will require 17 million cards to implement the project.Accordingly, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the Minister of Digital Economy presented the Cabinet…

The proposal to recruit 18,853 graduates and youth to the state service has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.The Cabinet paper in this regard has been submitted following a recommendation issued by a committee headed by the Secretary to the Prime Minister.Accordingly, considering vacancies in the state sector, the recruitment will take place without any political interference, said the Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Speaking during the weekly Cabinet media briefing today (08), Minister Jayatissa said considering the rate of unemployment in the country owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent political and economic crises, the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake…

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to a proposal to increase the monthly minimum wage of private sector employees from Rs. 17,500 to Rs. 27,000 with effect from 01 April 2025.The Cabinet paper in this regard has been presented by the Minister of Labour. According to the Cabinet paper, the daily minimum wage of private sector employees will be increased from Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,080.Furthermore, the Cabinet paper has proposed to increase the monthly minimum wage of private sector employees to Rs. 30,000 from Rs. 27,000 with effect from 1 January 2026.The daily minimum wage of private sector employees…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has personally written to United States President Donald Trump on ways to mitigate the impact and reduce the tariffs imposed recently, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando announced in Parliament.Deputy Minister Fernando said the White House has also acknowledged the letter sent by the Head of State. Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha stressed that the new government is focused on reducing the trade deficit with the United States in response to the reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.In response to a question raised by New Democratic Front (NDF) Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake…

Former State Minister Sathasivam Viyalendran, who was arrested and remanded over bribery charges, has been granted bail after he was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.Accordingly, the Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali ordered Viyalendran to be released on five surety bails of Rs. 1 million each and a cash bail of Rs. 50,000.Meanwhile, the court also imposed an overseas travel ban on the former State Minister.During the trial, the officials of the Bribery Commission informed the court that the investigations pertaining to the case have been completed and subsequently, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered the suspect to be released on…

A military contingent from Sri Lanka has arrived in Myanmar to support ongoing emergency response efforts following a recent disaster. The Sri Lankan Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief Team landed at Yangon International Airport on 05 April 2025 and has been deployed to the affected Naypyidaw province, located approximately 450 kilometres north of Yangon.The team’s immediate focus is to assess the situation on the ground, provide essential medical care and support the health infrastructure during this critical period. Comprising skilled professionals and support personnel, the team is currently stationed in Naypyidaw, where emergency relief operations are underway.As part of their mission,…

New Democratic Front (NDF) Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who was arrested over the alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, has been granted bail.The order was issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.Yesterday, he was remanded until 21 April by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court over a separate case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).The order was issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate, Thanuja Lakmali.Yesterday, he was remanded until 21 April by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court over a separate case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).MP Dassanayake…

The newly introduced ‘Calypso tourist train’, designed by Sri Lanka Railways to promote the local tourism industry, commenced its inaugural journey from the Nanu Oya Railway Station to the Demodara Railway Station at 8:10 a.m. today (08).The train will operate on Tuesdays from Nanu Oya to Demodara, with specially designed coaches to facilitate both local and foreign tourists.These coaches allow passengers to take photographs of the picturesque waterfalls and other scenic attractions along the route.One of the coaches is open-roofed and includes a special dining area, providing a unique travel experience.A fare of Rs. 10,000 is charged per tourist for…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized the need for a progressive transformation within Sri Lanka Police to uphold rule of law in the country. Attending the passing out parade of the 82nd batch of the Special Task Force (STF) at the Katukurunda STF Training Camp in Kalutara yesterday (07), the President noted that the public places its trust in the Police service to uphold the supremacy of the law and maintaining that trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police DepartmentAddressing the newly commissioned officers, President Dissanayake stated that how one serves and respects their profession is reflected in their career…

A total of 10 special trains will be in operation for the convenience of those leaving for outstation areas from Colombo in view of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the Department of Railways said.Accordingly, special trains will operate to Badulla, Galle, Beliatta, Anuradhapura and Kankesanturai from Colombo.The general public will be able to reserve tickets via the website of the Railway Department.The train, referred to as ‘New Year night special’ , will operate between the Colombo Fort and Badulla stations on four days. The train will leave the Fort station at 07.30 p.m. on 11, 12, 19 and 20…