Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, says that all election campaign offices which have been established at the electorate level must be removed after midnight yesterday (19).During a press conference at the Department of Government Information this morning (19) regarding the presidential poll, he stated that it is essential to remove all current election campaign offices at the constituency level from midnight today. “Up until yesterday, the maintaining of one main office for the district and one for each constituency related to a polling station had been allowed. However, from midnight today, only one office per election division or…

Once a favored holiday destination for Queen Victoria, and reputedly described in one of the greatest works of Italian literature, the Villa Palmieri is steeped in history and could now be yours – if you have more than €50 million ($55 million) lying around.Situated in the hills on the outskirts of Florence, the villa sprawls languidly over almost 4,000 square meters (43,000 square feet) while its garden spans nine hectares (22 acres), making it the second-largest park in the city, according to a statement sent to CNN by Dreamer Real Estate, which is handling the sale.In the grounds, guests can arrive via the…

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has issued a special statement regarding the controversy over the incident of the Grade 5 Scholarship examination paper allegedly being leaked.The communiqué stated that the Department of Examinations and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are conducting an investigation regarding the issue with the first paper of the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.It is further stated that a decision on the matter will be made after the conclusion of these investigations.On Tuesday (17), the Commissioner General of Examinations Amit Jayasundara said that investigations are being held into an incident where three questions similar to those on…

Cricket Australia (CA) has banned former Sri Lankan Test player Dulip Samaraweera for 20 years after he “committed a serious breach” of the organisation’s code of conduct.Samaraweera is banned from holding any position within CA or a state or territory association, including any WBBL or BBL teams.CA’s conduct commission found Samaraweera engaged in “inappropriate behaviour” while he was employed by Cricket Victoria (CV).“CA and CV are committed to providing a safe environment for all players and employees and the welfare of those subjected to mistreatment is paramount,” a CA statement read.CV also released a statement, saying it “strongly” supported CA’s…

The voting for the presidential poll to elect the 9th executive president of Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held on Saturday (September 21).The Election Commission stated that voting will take place in 13,421 polling stations from 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Saturday.The election campaigning activities related to the presidential election concluded at midnight yesterday (18) and the period up to the time of the presidential election has been declared as a silence period.The Election Commission says all election campaigning activities are strictly prohibited during this period, while police have the authority to arrest any individuals who violate the…

At least 20 people have been killed and more than 450 wounded by a second wave of explosions from wireless communication devices in Lebanon, the country’s health ministry says.Walkie-talkies used by the armed group Hezbollah blew up in the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon – areas seen as its strongholds.Some of the blasts took place during funerals for some of the 12 people who the ministry said were killed when Hezbollah members’ pagers exploded on Tuesday. Hezbollah blamed Israel for that attack. Israel has not commented.The attacks came as Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav…

The National Security Council of Sri Lanka has met and discussed ensuring security for the 2024 presidential election and maintaining law and order during the post-election period.The National Security Council, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, met today (19) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. They discussed ensuring security for the 2024 presidential election, supporting the Election Commission, securing candidates and polling stations and maintaining law and order post-election without disrupting daily life, the President’s Media Division said. President Wickremesinghe has also instructed the heads of the security agencies to take all necessary steps to maintain law and order in the country without…

The Colombo High Court has issued an order preventing the use of two luxury apartments located in the Colpetty area which had been purchased by Ramith Rambukwella, the son of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.The two luxury apartments had allegedly been purchased for Rs. 80 million and Rs. 65 million.The order was issued today (19) by Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne after considering a request from the Bribery Commission.The Bribery Commission informed the court that Mr. Ramith Rambukwella had purchased two apartments from an apartment complex located in Colpetty for Rs. 80 million and Rs. 65 million respectively. The commission…

The Ministry of Education has announced that all schools across the island will be closed on September 20th. Regular classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, September 23rd.Additionally, schools designated as polling stations are required to be handed over to the respective Grama Niladhari officials on September 19th, following the conclusion of school hours.

Sri Lanka said it’s reached an agreement in principle with bondholders to restructure its $114 billion debt load, just days before the country heads for presidential elections.The government held restricted discussions with nine members of the steering committee of the ad-hoc group of bondholders between September 12th and 18th, it said in a statement on Thursday. The parties agreed to introduce “governance-linked bond features” as part of the revised bond treatment, it said, referring to clauses that would cut Sri Lanka’s repayments if it meets certain governance and anti-corruption-related targets.Sri Lanka was joined by its legal and financial advisors, Clifford Chance…