Author: Buzzer Editorial

Former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, both currently serving prison sentences, along with former Sports Ministry Secretary, retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi, who is also serving a prison sentence, have been indicted today (21) at the Colombo High Court. They are currently serving prison sentences for being accused of committing an offense under the Public Property Act by importing carrom boards and dam boards through the Lanka Sathosa Company during the 2014 presidential election and distributing them to sports associations with the aim of gaining political advantage.Following the indictment, Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered the release of the…

England has been confirmed as the host of the next three World Test Championship finals – in 2027, 2029 and 2031 – following the country’s successful staging of the first three such events since 2021.The decision, which had been on the cards since Lord’s played host to South Africa’s five-wicket victory over Australia in the third WTC final last month, was ratified at the ICC’s annual conference in Singapore this week.Despite some speculation that the contest could be set for a relocation to India from 2027 onwards, the ICC cited the ECB’s “successful track record in hosting recent finals” in…

The Israeli military has killed at least 67 people waiting for UN aid lorries in northern Gaza, the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry says.The UN World Food Programme said its 25-truck convoy “encountered massive crowds of hungry civilians which came under gunfire”, soon after it crossed from Israel and cleared checkpoints.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had “fired warning shots” to remove “an immediate threat”. It disputed the number of reported deaths.On Saturday it warned that extreme hunger was increasing in Gaza and growing numbers of people were arriving at its facilities “in a state of extreme exhaustion and…

Over 20 individuals have been injured and hospitalized following a head-on collision between a private bus and a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus in Galigamuwa, Kegalle, early this morning (21), police said.According to reports, a private bus traveling from Kegalle to Ratnapura and an SLTB bus traveling from Weragoda to Kegalle collided in the Galigamuwa area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kegalle Police Division.The incident occurred at around 5:00 a.m., police said.Around 21 passengers from both buses sustained injuries and were immediately admitted to the Kegalle and Warakapola Hospitals for treatment, according to police.Kegalle Police has launched…

The Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero, has passed away at the age of 67.Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero, who had been receiving treatment at a private hospital following a heart attack, reportedly passed away last night (20).

A driver and two infants have died in an accident when a car, which the driver had lost control of, veered to the right side of the road and collided with a bus plying from the opposite direction in Narammala.The accident occurred yesterday (19) along the Narammala–Giriulla road, within the Narammala police division.According to police, the two deceased children were aged 9 months and 11 months, and the driver was a 38-year-old resident of Maho.The driver, conductor, and a passenger of the bus sustained injuries in the accident and are receiving treatment at the Dambadeniya Hospital. Narammala police are conducting…

The final report of the Committee of Inquiry appointed to inquire and report its findings on suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, in respect of acts of gross abuse of power, is scheduled to be handed over to the Speaker of Parliament within the coming week.A spokesman for the committee stated that the relevant final report is currently being prepared.A special three-member committee of inquiry was appointed to investigate the allegations of misconduct and serious abuse of power by suspended police chief Deshabandu Tennakoon and to prepare a report.The committee is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman…

Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for flights operated by Indian airlines by another month till August 24, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said.No aircraft operated by Indian airlines, or military and civilian flights that are Indian-owned or leased, will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace, according to a NOTAM (notice to airmen) that came into effect at 3:50 pm India time on Friday.The ban will remain in place till August 24 at 5:19 am (India time), the PAA said.The Indian airspace is also closed to all Pakistani aircraft till July 24 after a ban was imposed first…

In a decisive move to strengthen macroprudential policy and mitigate systemic financial risks, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), acting as the Macroprudential Authority, has issued new Directions to licensed financial institutions to impose maximum caps on loan-to-value (LTV) ratios for vehicle-related credit facilities.The directive, which takes effect from 18 July 2025, applies to all Licensed Commercial Banks, Licensed Specialised Banks, Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs), and Registered Finance Leasing Establishments (RFLEs). Thereby, the opportunity provided based on the 2018 guidelines to obtain financing facilities of up to 90% of the value of the vehicle under the electric category has been…