Author: Buzzer Editorial

The railway line between Kuda Oya and Nattandiya on the Colombo–Puttalam line, which was damaged by recent adverse weather conditions, is undergoing urgent repairs.The land connected to the old railway iron bridge, located about half a kilometer from the Walahapitiya sub-station, was also destroyed by floods and is also being restored.Staff from the Chilaw–Bolawatta Railway Maintenance Unit, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Navy, are carrying out the repair work under the direct supervision of the Sri Lanka Railways Department.

A water leak at the Louvre museum in Paris has damaged hundreds of works, just weeks after thieves stole priceless French crown jewels from the museum in broad daylight.The museum’s deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, said between 300-400 works, mostly books, were affected by the leak – and that the count was ongoing.Mr Steinbock told French media the damage occurred in the Egyptian department and that the volumes are “those consulted by Egyptologists”, but that “no precious books” were affected.The problem that caused the leak, which was discovered in late November, had been known for years, and repairs are scheduled for…

The Department of Irrigation has taken urgent measures to restore canals and reservoirs damaged by the floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah, aiming to resume water supply to paddy fields and other cultivation lands. Engineer L.S. Sooriyabandara, Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management), stated that temporary restorations have already begun to protect the severely affected paddy fields.He further noted that security forces, farmers, and voluntary organizations are assisting in the restoration work. Once repairs are completed, water will be released to support agricultural activities and related businesses.

The Director of the Disaster Management Center (DMC), Pradeep Kodippili, has warned that visiting disaster-hit areas is extremely dangerous and urged the public to refrain from bathing or entering waters flowing with strong currents.He stated that relief efforts are ongoing for affected communities and requested that any issues be reported to the DMC via hotline ‘117.’He also cautioned that the soil has been saturated due to heavy rainfall and urged to remain vigilant and advised immediate evacuation whenever a red alert is issued.Furthermore, the Director expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by relief teams from India and Pakistan. Speaking at a…

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.Accordingly, the advisory, issued at 12.15 p.m. today (05), will be effective until 11.00 p.m.Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Met. Department stated.There may be temporary, localized strong winds during thundershowers, it added.Accordingly, the general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning activity.

A person, who had allegedly prepared forged documents, including fake identity cards, has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).The arrest was made for the violation of Section 124 of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 09 of 2023, following investigations launched upon a complaint received.The arrested suspect has been identified as a resident of Gorakapola, Panadura.The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) announced that, due to the prevailing disaster situation in the country, passengers holding train monthly season tickets will be permitted to travel on SLTB buses.Accordingly, commuters may use their valid train monthly season tickets on all ordinary SLTB buses, excluding super luxury services.The SLTB further stated that all bus crews and relevant teams have been informed of this arrangement.

President Vladimir Putin has warned again that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war in Ukraine.“Either we liberate these territories by force, or Ukrainian troops will leave these territories,” he told India Today. Moscow controls around 85% of Donbas.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out ceding territory.Putin’s comments come after President Donald Trump said his negotiators discussing a US peace plan believed Russia’s leader “would like to end the war” after Tuesday’s talks in Moscow.Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, who was in Moscow, is due…

The highest rainfall recorded during the past 24 hours has been reported from the Akuressa area along the Nilwala River, according to L.S. Sooriyabandara, Director of Irrigation (Hydrology & Disaster Management).Issuing a statement this morning (05), he said that nearly 125 mm of rain had been recorded in the area.He noted that most other regions experienced normal rainfall, and river water levels have not shown any significant rise.Meanwhile, the Director confirmed that there had been no significant spilling in reservoirs, adding that most reservoirs were spilling at normal levels.He further stated that increased rainfall has been forecast, and that the…

The government has been urged to provide maximum relief to people affected by the recent floods and landslides and also to give priority to restoring all religious sites, including temples, churches, mosques and Hindu kovils, that were damaged.According to the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa, he has received information that a number of temples in the Central, Uva, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, Northern and Eastern provinces have been damaged. Additionally, many Catholic churches, Hindu kovils and mosques have also been damaged due to the floods, the MP stated.He emphasized that a…