Author: Buzzer Editorial

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his final respects to the late Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect, Most Venerable Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi Thero at the Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Memorial Hall of the Asgiri Temple in Kandy last night (22).He also expressed his deepest condolences to the Maha Sangha of the Asgiri Chapter. Afterwards, President Dissanayake visited the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, and engaged in a discussion with Venerable Nayake Thero.

The Committee on Parliamentary Business, which met today (22 July) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, has decided not to proceed with the second reading of the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, originally scheduled for debate on 24 July, Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera said. The debate on the Bill will be rescheduled to a future parliamentary date.Accordingly, the Adjournment Debate on the “Proposed New Education Reforms” will be held on 24 July, continuing until 5.30 p.m., based on a motion presented by the government. This decision has been taken due to technical matter related…

A discussion on streamlining the process of medicine supply was held this afternoon (22) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, along with the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni and officials from the Ministry of Health, participated in the meeting.During the discussion, the procurement and distribution of medicines were reviewed. The President instructed officials to streamline the mechanism to ensure a continuous supply of essential medicines to the public without any shortages or delays, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.Attention was drawn to the existing issues and weaknesses within the…

The Monetary Policy Board has decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75% at its meeting held on Tuesday (July 22), the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced today.Issuing a statement in this regard, the CBSL noted that the Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering both domestic and global developments. The Board is of the view that the current monetary policy stance will help steer inflation towards the target of 5% in the period ahead while supporting growth, it said.“The movements in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) reflected a further…

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. and Japan had struck a trade deal that includes a lower 15% tariff that will be levied on U.S. imports from the country, including autos.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the deal would include $550 billion of Japanese investments in the United States.He also said that Japan would increase market access to American producers of cars, trucks, rice and certain agricultural products, among other items.Trump’s post made no mention of easing tariffs on Japanese motor vehicles, which account for more than a quarter of all the country’s exports to the…

The David Pieris Group, through its Social Welfare Committee, has donated a fully equippedcomputer laboratory to Myiliddy North Kalaimagal Maha Vidyalayam in Kankasanthurai, aschool located in a recently resettled area in the Northern Province.This initiative, fully funded by the David Pieris Group’s Social Welfare Committee, aims tosupport the digital learning needs of over 130 students currently attending the school. Many ofthese students come from underprivileged backgrounds and have previously had to seek betterfacilities in surrounding schools due to the lack of resources in their own. The donation includescomputers, computer tables. air conditioning machines and computer chairs, along with acomplete colour…

Court was informed today (22) that there is no necessity at this time to arrest former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Rohan Premaratne, by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), in connection with on-going investigation.This was conveyed to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by an official representing the Bribery Commission during the hearing of a bail application filed by Rohan Premaratne, requesting release on anticipatory bail in the event of an impending arrest.Accordingly, the Magistrate informed Premaratne’s attorney that the former DIG should appear before the Bribery Commission and…

The government is seeking to commence joint research with Singapore for the development of artificial intelligence technologies, conduct artificial intelligence programs, and create mutual cooperation to address local and global challenges.Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Digital Economy and the National University of Singapore.Discussions have been held pertaining to “The Program on Artificial Intelligence in Singapore” (AI Singapore), which is implemented at the National University of Singapore, to explore the opportunities for active partnership and sharing knowledge that can contribute to the strategic objectives in…

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday, citing health concerns and the need to prioritise medical care. The resignation, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, is effective immediately and has been made under Article 67(a) of the Constitution.In his letter, Dhankhar expressed gratitude to the President for her “unwavering support” and the “soothing, wonderful working relationship” they shared during his tenure. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Council of Ministers, calling their support “invaluable.”“I have learned much during my time in office,” he said, adding that the warmth and affection shown by Members of Parliament…

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to the Deputy Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department, who was previously arrested and remanded on suspicion of soliciting a bribe of Rs. 100,000 from a businessman in order to waive around Rs. 1.1 million in tax arrears owed to the department.The suspect was ordered to be released on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each. Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala also directed the suspect to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigations, said Ada Derana reporter.When the case was taken up, Attorney-at-Law Darshana Kuruppu, appearing on behalf of the suspect, informed court…