Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Supreme Court today (25) commenced hearing petitions filed seeking a ruling that the provisions of the bill presented to Parliament by the government to revoke the privileges of former presidents are unconstitutional.The petitioners argue that, if the bill is to be passed, it must be approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament and also endorsed through a public referendum.The petitions are being heard before a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Sampath Abeykoon.According to Ada Derana court correspondent, the attorneys representing the petitioners have commenced presenting their arguments.Solicitor General Viraj…

The Colombo High Court today (25) ordered that the bail petitions filed by former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando be taken up again on September 23 for confirmation of facts, Ada Derana reporter said.The two former ministers, who were convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment in the “carrom board case”, had filed these petitions seeking release on bail pending their appeals against the sentences.The applications were called before a three-member bench consisting Judges Mahesh Weeraman, Pradeep Abeyratne, and Amali Ranaweera.During the hearing, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed court that it had not yet…

Foreign diplomats in Colombo have been informed yesterday (25) regarding the arrest and imprisonment of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.Accordingly, the Indian High Commissioner was briefed last night at the Indian House.Former Members of Parliament including G.L. Peiris, Thalatha Atukorale, and Ali Sabry also participated in the occasion.Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is currently in remand custody after being arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly misusing state funds in 2023.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Colombo Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Uditha Liyanage in connection with the allegations of treasure hunting levelled against his wife, police said.The Anuradhapura Police recently arrested eight people, including a wife of a DIG, who were allegedly excavating a plot of land for treasure near a temple in Thibirikadawala, Srawasthipura.This was based on information received by the Anuradhapura Police on August 13 that a group was treasure hunting near the Ratrang Devalaya in Thibirikadawala, Srawasthipura, police said.Following the arrest of the alleged group, the police officers who conducted the raid have…

Former Norwegian special peace envoy to Sri Lanka, Erik Solheim, has expressed strong concerns over the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and has called for his immediate release.In a post on his official ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account, Solheim stated:“Please urgently release Ranil Wickremesinghe! I join the many leaders in Sri Lanka, South Asia, and around the world calling for the immediate release of Sri Lanka’s former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. We are all concerned for his health during detention.”He further highlighted Wickremesinghe’s role during Sri Lanka’s crisis in 2022, stating:“Ranil was the leader who stood up to save Sri Lanka…

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has decided to operate long-distance passenger transport buses, both by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private companies, under a unified timetable.These buses will operate on the following routes under the unified timetable system,Colombo – Chilaw, Colombo – Puttalam, Colombo – Anamaduwa, Colombo – Eluwankulama, Colombo – Kalpitiya, Negombo – Kalpitiya, Colombo – Mannar, Colombo – Talaimannar, Colombo – Kuliyapitiya, Colombo – Nikaweratiya, Colombo – Anuradhapura, Colombo – Vavuniya, Colombo – Kilinochchi, Colombo – Jaffna, Colombo – Kankesanturai, Colombo – Karainagar, and Colombo – Thunukkai.Accordingly, the Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC), Eng.…

Minister Bimal Ratnayake announced that the government’s large-scale development projects will commence in September.He stated that the first phase of these projects will commence in Jaffna under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.The Minister further noted that development activities related to the new Coconut Triangle in the Northern Province, centered in the Mullaitivu area of the Vanni region, are scheduled to commence on September 2.Minister Ratnayake said:“From the first of September, the government will launch major development projects for the benefit of the people. Among them, the opening of an international sports complex in the Mandaitivu area of Jaffna…

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to call off their island-wide token strike, which was scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m. today (August 25) in all government hospitals.The decision to call off the strike follows discussions and a written assurance from the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.Meanwhile, on August 24, the GMOA noted that the strike is being launched considering the risk of hospitals in remote areas closing down, the direct influence exerted by the government on patients to purchase scarce medicines, and the threat of the collapse of the free healthcare system caused…

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been remanded until August 26 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.He was escorted to the court premises by CID officers under heavy security, and produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.Former President Wickremesinghe was arrested today (22) after arriving at the CID to record a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation.Accordingly, it is further stated that the investigation pertains to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to London to attend a graduation ceremony of his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, during his tenure as President, allegedly using state funds.The…