Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Election Commission has announced that representatives from 12 countries have been invited to observe the upcoming Presidential Election. Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake confirmed that countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives are among those participating.Ratnayake stated that these international observers will provide a comprehensive report after monitoring all election activities, including the voting process. Additionally, election observers from the European Union have already arrived on the island to oversee the election. The chairman also mentioned that Commonwealth election observers and representatives from the Asian Election Observation Network will be visiting the island to observe the Presidential Election.The Election Commission granted…

Members of Parliament Angajan Ramanathan and Sarathi Dushmantha Mithrapala have announced their support for Ranil Wickremesinghe in this year’s presidential election.The two MPs met with President Wickremesinghe this morning at the Presidential Election Operations Office in Colombo to express their endorsement.Angajan Ramanathan, was a Senior Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and Sarathi Dushmantha Mithrapala, served as Acting General Secretary of the party. In the last general election, Ramanathan was elected to Parliament from the Jaffna District, while Mithrapala was elected from the Kegalle District.

A gazette notification has been issued reducing water and sewerage charges.The gazette was issued by Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman.The tariff revisions are effective from the 21st of August.Fees are reduced under the domestic, government schools, assisted schools, and government-approved charitable institutions categories, excluding Samurdhi beneficiaries and estate houses.The National Water Supply and Drainage Board said the percentage of tariff reduction is over five percent.Accordingly, the fee for 0 to 05 units in the domestic category has been reduced by Rs.10 from Rs.60 to Rs.50 per unit, and the fee charged for a unit between…

The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a proposal to waive tourist visa fees for visitors from up to 35 countries for a period of six months, starting from October 1, 2024. This decision follows a detailed study conducted by a specialist committee appointed by the cabinet on April 25, 2024, to explore strategies used by other countries in issuing tourist visas without charges.The committee analyzed the practices of eight countries that are competitive with Sri Lanka in the tourism sector and submitted their findings to the President. The President then presented the report to the cabinet of ministers.Based on the committee’s…

Mohamed lliyas, a former Member of Parliament who was contesting as an independent candidate in the upcoming presidential election, has tragically passed away due to a sudden illness.He was among the 39 candidates vying for the presidency. Illiyas had previously represented the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) during his political career.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has launched his YouTube channel, and more than a million subscribers signed up within the first 90 minutes.The 39-year-old, five-time Ballon d’Or winner plays for the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and has represented Portugal in international tournaments for more than two decades.“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on Wednesday on his social media accounts.A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69 million subscribers had joined the newly launched digital channel.Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million…

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, has been awarded a prestigious “A” grade in Global Finance’s 2024 Central Banker Report Cards. This top-tier recognition places Dr. Weerasinghe among the elite central bank governors worldwide, acknowledging his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen in steering Sri Lanka’s economy through turbulent times.“The “A” grade is a testament to Dr. Weerasinghe’s outstanding performance in critical areas such as inflation management, economic growth, currency stability, and interest rate control. His effective policies and decisive actions have been pivotal in maintaining economic stability during a period marked by significant global and local…

The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (Aug 22), compared to Wednesday, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 295.20 to Rs. 295.72, while the selling rate has increased from Rs. 304.45 to Rs. 305.04.The Rupee has also depreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and three (03) others, who were implicated in the alleged importation of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines, have been further remanded.The Maligakanda Magistrates Court today further remanded the suspects, including the former Health Minister, until August 29.Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella is currently under remand custody after being implicated in the alleged importation of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines.Several Health Ministry officials, including Keheliya Rambukwella, were arrested and remanded after the Criminal Investigations Department launched an investigation into allegations that a pharmaceutical company had imported 22,500 vials of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines by creating forged documents with…

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to take steps to hold the local government polls as soon as possible.The Supreme Court has issued these orders while ruling on the fundamental rights petitions filed requesting a verdict that the basic human rights of the people have been violated by not holding the local government elections.Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Jathika Jana Balawegaya, Alternative Policy Center and PAFFREL Institute had filed related petitions.This order was made after the Supreme Court ruled today that the President as the then Finance Minister and the members of the Election Commission violated the basic human rights…