Author: Buzzer Editorial

Gold prices breached the key $3,200/oz level for the first time on Friday, fuelled by a weaker dollar and an escalating trade war that sent investors rushing toward safe-haven assets.Spot gold was up 1.4% at $3,217.78 an ounce as of 0350 GMT. Bullion scaled an all-time peak of $3,219.84 earlier in the session, and has gained almost 6% this week.U.S. gold futures climbed 1.9% to $3,237.50.“The rapid weakening of the U.S. dollar seems to be the main driver of gold’s rebound at the moment. That seems to reflect an ongoing exodus from USD-based assets, with stocks and bonds’ selloff amid…

The US tariff rate on Chinese imports now effectively totals 145 percent, a White House official said recently. Meanwhile, China warned that it will not flinch when it comes to a trade and tariff war.On Friday, China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held discussions with his Saudi Arabian and South African counterparts to exchange views on responding to the United States’ “reciprocal tariffs”.China is open to dialogue with the US but this must be on the basis of mutual respect and equality, an official said. The statement came a day after US President Donald Trump told media that “China wants to make a deal.…

Cricket’s return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 will be as a six-team T20 tournament for both genders, the International Olympic Committee has announced.Participating teams will be able to field squads of up to 15 players after the IOC allocated quotas of 90 athletes per gender for the event.The IOC has yet to reveal how teams will qualify for LA 2028, but it is understood organisers are keen to utilise cricket as a way to increase India’s interest in the Olympics.India are the current T20 World Cup holders, were a draw for fans at the 2024 World Cup…

The Speaker of Parliament (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne has endorsed the certificate on the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.The Second Reading debate related to the Bill was held on April 9 and amendments were added to the sad Bill during the Committee Stage. The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill was then passed in Parliament following its Third Reading, without a division.This Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on March 1, 2025. Accordingly, this Bill comes into force as the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, No. 04 of 2025, a statement issued by the Department of Communications of…

The Welfare Benefits Board has announced that the welfare allowance for the month of April, under the ‘Aswesuma’ program, will be available to beneficiaries starting today (Apr 11).The respective amounts have already been credited to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries, according to an official statement.The statement further noted that disbursements of the increased allowances—introduced under the 2025 Budget, including the elderly allowance—have also commenced this month.A total of Rs. 12.63 billion has been allocated for 1,737,141 eligible families under the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare program.Additionally, the Board stated that Rs. 2.9 billion has been deposited into the accounts of 580,944 individuals…

The Government of Sri Lanka has extended financial assistance amounting to USD 01 Million to provide relief to the people of Myanmar affected by the recent earthquake.The relevant cheque was officially handed over Yesterday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, to the Ambassador of Myanmar to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Marlar Than Htaik.Despite the prevailing economic challenges in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador of Myanmar expressed her deep appreciation to President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Government of Sri Lanka for this gesture of solidarity and support towards the disaster-stricken people of…

This Monday (April 7), the ECB announced Brook as Jos Buttler’s successor to the white-ball captaincy, after Buttler had resigned following a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign.Touted as a potential all-format superstar, Brook has already started to make good on that promise in Test and T20 cricket as he continues to navigate the challenge of ODIs. He was seen as the standout candidate to succeed Buttler, perhaps because he is a sure starter in both of England’s white-ball teams.’I’d lose a little money here and there to play for England'”England is the way forward for me and franchise cricket can almost take a…

The second phase of the first school term concludes today (April 11), marking the start of a one-week holiday in celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.The Ministry of Education announced that accordingly, all government and government-approved private schools across the country will remain closed for the festive break.The third phase of the first school term scheduled to resume on April 21 (Monday).

A police officer deployed on traffic duties in Katugastota, Kandy has been hailed a hero after he rescued a girl from drowning in the Mahaweli River. The 21-year-old girl had fallen from the Katugastota Bridge and the traffic police officer after being informed of the incident had quickly reacted and jumped into the river to rescue her. The rescued girl, an area resident, has been admitted to the Katugastota Hospital for treatment, Police said.

The previously closed Vasaavilaan-Palaly section on the Jaffna – Palaly Road was officially reopened this (10) morning, after 34 years.Due to its location within a high-security zone containing military residences, this section of the road will be open with restrictions. It will be accessible from 6 AM to 5 PM daily. The length of this section is approximately 2.5 kilometers.