I have the same holes under my handles on each side which is normal for the hinge, but here is what you want to look for.
Take your lid off and and look underneath at the big black O-ring embedded into the lid grove. Now take a look at the canister bottom part and notice the leading top edge or rim like the rim on a cup or glass. That rim is what goes inside the lid grove where the big O-ring is and presses the O-ring stopping all water from leaking outside, with me so far?
OK now just like looking inside a drinking glass from the salted rim look on down inside (baskets removed), look to see if there are any holes or cracks, if not then those holes you see are outside the sealing portion of the canister not inside.
Also look at the sealing rim again and see it it has any dents or dings due to someone prying the canister open with a screw driver and damaging the rim. If that rim is damages or the O-ring is cut, split, torn, or deformed, this is where your leak is.
If everything looks normal try taking out the O-ring, coating it with a little Vaseline then placing it back in its grove with the firmest round side out (not the flatter side) so that it will make good springy contact with the rim and squish. When you are ready to reseal the lid do not use the side clamps to bring the lid down on the rim, do it by hand carefully feeling for the lid to seat on the rim and squish the O-ring. With downward hand pressure applied to the lid, bring the clamps down. In reverse always un-clamp and hug the canister with one arm as you work your other hand around the lid lifting gently until it pops on its own. Never use the clamps to force the lid up or down as you will brake them, never use tool to pry the lid off always be patient and lift the lid by hand a little at a time in a circle till it pops and it always will.
