Author: Buzzer Editorial

Australia batter Usman Khawaja said he is still battling “racial stereotypes” as he announced his retirement from international cricket.The 39-year-old will play his 88th Test in the Ashes finale against England starting on Sunday (23:30 GMT, Saturday) in Sydney, on the ground where he made his debut against the same opponents in 2011.Khawaja was born in Pakistan and became the first Muslim to play for Australia when he took the place of Ricky Ponting at the end of England’s 3-1 series win 15 years ago.“I’m a proud Muslim, coloured boy from Pakistan who was told he would never play for…

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 11 Indian fishermen for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.According to Navy Media Spokesperson Commander Buddika Sampath, the suspects were apprehended in the Karainagar sea area in Jaffna during a special search operation conducted last night (01).The Navy had also seized the vessel used by the fishermen, along with their fishing equipment.The arrested individuals have been taken to the Kankesanturai Navy Base and are scheduled to be handed over to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) for further investigations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid visits to chief Buddhist prelates to receive blessings for the New Year.The President last afternoon (01) visited the Sri Vidyawasa Maha Pirivena in Minioluwa, Mirigama, where he called on the Most Venerable Aggamahapandita Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya.During the visit, the President engaged in a brief discussion with the Mahanayake Thero and inquired after his well-being.The Most Venerable Mahanayake Thero thereafter chanted Seth Pirith, invoking blessings upon the President and the government for their endeavours in the year ahead.Member of Parliament Manjula Sugath Rathnayake and several others were present…

Around 40 people have been killed and 100 injured, most of them seriously, after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during a New Year’s Eve party in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss officials said on Thursday.A fire broke out at 1.30 a.m. (0030 GMT) in a bar called “Le Constellation” in the resort in southwestern Switzerland. The cause of the blast remains unclear but authorities said it appeared to be an accident.“At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack,” prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told a press conference,…

Showery condition is expected to enhance in Eastern, Northern and Uva provinces during the coming days, due to the development of a low-level atmospheric disturbance to the East of Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology said. Showers will occur at times in Eastern, Central, North-central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. Fairly heavy rainfall above 75 mm are likely at some places in Central and Uva provinces and in Batticaloa and Ampara districts. Several spells of showers will occur in Northern province. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy rainfall above 50 mm are likely at…

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has collected over Rs. 285 million in fines from raids carried out over the past year.The fines were imposed following 21,000 raids conducted across the island in 2025, the authority said.The CAA has also taken steps to test 223 food and non-food product samples to ensure compliance with required standards.These include steel wire, coconut oil, cosmetics, rice, canned fish, chilli powder, milk, hair dyes, cordials, and syrups, according to a statement issued by the authority.The authority further stated that 5,002 complaints were received last year through the ‘1977’ consumer complaints hotline.Accordingly, about 79% of the…

The Director General of the National Institute of Education (NIE), Prof. Manjula Vithanapathirana, has decided to temporarily step down from her position until the conclusion of the inquiry into the controversial Grade 6 English module.The Ministry of Education recently announced that the distribution of a newly printed Grade 6 English language module has been suspended with immediate effect after it was confirmed that the material contained a reference to an inappropriate website.According to the Ministry, an investigation was initiated following a complaint alleging that an unsuitable website’s name had been included in the module. The textbook in question was prepared by…

The Ministry of Education has released the official schedule and operational guidelines for the 2026 academic year. Taking into account the recent disaster situation and the resulting damages to school infrastructure and transport systems in several provinces, the Ministry has decided not to extend school hours until these systems are fully restored.The key directives are as follows:School Hours and Term Start DatesSchool Hours: For Grades 5 through 13, school hours will remain unchanged from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM throughout 2026.Term Commencement: All Government schools, Government-approved private schools, and Pirivenas are scheduled to begin the first term on January 5,…

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended New Year greetings to Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa in a phone conversation.Opposition Leader Premadasa has also conveyed his warm wishes to the former President on the first day of 2026.The two leaders reportedly had discussed future plans during the telephone conversation.Meanwhile, the exchange of greetings could mark a new beginning in the New Year, according to political analysts.

Everyone should work together by setting aside ethnic differences to rebuild the country, emphasized the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya chapter of Siam Nikaya, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero in his New Year message.“I sincerely pray that the New Year will be a fortunate and prosperous one. I especially wish to stress that, to rebuild our fallen country, it is important that everyone cooperates equally, with a sense of ownership for our nation, and works together without disputes or divisions,” Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero said.Taking inspiration from how other countries have rebuilt after natural disasters, The Anu Nayake of…