Author: Buzzer Editorial

Two females have reportedly died while four others remain injured after a van crashed due to a burst tyre near the 175th Km post at Angunukolapelessa on the Southern Expressway, police said.The accident occurred when a rear tyre of a small van traveling from Mattala to Colombo suddenly burst, causing the vehicle to crash into the safety fence of the Southern Expressway.A total of six persons were reportedly travelling in the van at the time of the accident, and the injured have been immediately rushed to the Hambantota General Hospital.The two deceased females are aged 72 and 44.

EU and US agree trade deal, with 15% tariffs for European exports to AmericaThe United States and European Union have reached a trade deal framework, ending a months-long standoff between two of the world’s biggest economic partners.After make-or-break negotiations between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in Scotland, the pair agreed a US tariff on all EU goods of 15%.That is half the 30% import tax rate Trump had threatened to implement starting on Friday. He said the 27-member bloc would open its markets to US exporters with zero per cent tariffs on certain products.Von…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has left the island short while ago, to embark on a three-day official visit to Maldives from July 28 to 30, 2025.This visit is being undertaken at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.During the visit, President Dissanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Muizzu and witness the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding aimed at deepening mutual cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.The State Visit is also significant as Sri Lanka and the Maldives commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations this year, it said.During…

The beautiful coastline surrounding the island is a vital element that directly impacts Sri Lanka’s economy, tourism industry and overall environmental balance. However, due to increasing human activities, the coastline is being severely polluted by the accumulation of waste. In response to this pressing environmental concern, a coastal cleaning initiative titled “A Cleaner Environment with the Army – A Cleaner Coastline for the Nation” is planned to be launched under the guidance of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, in collaboration with the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force.Stretching approximately 1,340 kilometres, Sri Lanka’s…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a state visit to the Maldives from July 28 to 30, 2025, at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.During the visit, President Dissanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Muizzu and witness the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding aimed at deepening mutual cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.The State Visit is also significant as Sri Lanka and the Maldives commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations this year, it said.During his stay, the President is also scheduled to address a business forum…

A Canadian national has been arrested by Sri Lanka Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake while attempting to smuggle more than 05 kg of cocaine and over 12 kg of Hashish into the country. The 52-year-old passenger, a resident of Ontario in Canada, had attempted to exit through the ‘Green Channel’ at the airport when he was detained and searched on a suspicion. Customs officers had discovered 12 kg and 196 grams of Hashish as well as 5 kg and 298 grams of cocaine concealed inside his luggage. The street value of the seized narcotics is estimated at around…

Hulk Hogan, the wrestling icon and actor who became the most recognized star in the sport, has died, the WWE confirmed. He was 71.Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, grew up in Florida. The WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, known for walking out to his theme song “Real American,” represented national patriotism within the wrestling world. He soared to fame in the 1980s after winning against the Iron Sheik and cementing “Hulkamania” momentum in one of the most culturally impactful matches of his career. That fight made him the World Wrestling Federation’s heavyweight winner.He later lost the championship title competing against…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged Sri Lanka’s continued economic progress as the country prepares for its fifth review under the IMF-supported Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. Speaking at a press briefing held yesterday (24), IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack provided an update on the status of Sri Lanka’s economic program and upcoming evaluations.On July 1st, the IMF Executive Board completed the fourth review of Sri Lanka’s program, releasing a tranche of $350 million and bringing the total financial assistance to $1.74 billion. Kozack highlighted that Sri Lanka’s “ambitious reform agenda continues to deliver commendable outcomes,” noting significant improvements across key…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion this afternoon (24) at the Presidential Secretariat with relevant Ministers and Officials regarding the protection of wild elephants and the safeguarding daily lives of rural community.During the meeting, the President inquired into the current situation regarding the increasing harassment incidents involving wild elephants and their disruptive impact on the daily lives of rural populations.Officials briefed the President on the prevailing situation and the longstanding difficulties faced by relevant institutions in addressing this issue effectively, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).President Dissanayake emphasized that under no circumstances should wild elephants be subjected to…

Companies and institutions have no legal provisions to impose additional charges ranging from 2.5% to 3% on customers for transactions made using credit or debit cards, the Director of Payments and Settlements at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Vasantha Alwis has stated.He made this statement during a press briefing held at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka yesterday (July 23).Alwis said although they have noticed companies charging additional fees, doing so is not permitted under the agreements between the banks and the said merchants.“If any institution imposes an additional fee on digital transactions, customers should immediately lodge a…