Author: Buzzer Editorial

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has congratulated His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election as the new leader of the Catholic Church.Posting on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Dissanayake said: “Your role carries great responsibility and I wish you strength and wisdom as you guide the faithful. May your leadership bring hope and inspiration to people around the world. Warm regards from Sri Lanka.”Cardinal Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church on Thursday (08).Prevost,…

Five of the 12 individuals who were onboard the Bell 212 helicopter which crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir and were hospitalized in critical condition, have been pronounced dead following admission to the hospital.The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) confirmed that all deceased persons are armed forces personnel, and includes three Special Forces (SF) personnel and two Sri Lanka Air Force Helicopter Gunmen.Meanwhile, the remaining seven individuals, also tri-forces personnel, who sustained injuries during the incident, are currently receiving treatment at hospital, the SLAF said.A Bell 212 Helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force crashed into the Maduru Oya…

Sri Lanka Railways has taken steps to add special train services into operation starting today (May 9) to accommodate increased passenger demand during the long weekend and the state Vesak festival.These special train services will operate along two major routes—between Colombo Fort and Badulla, and Colombo Fort and Kankesanthurai.According to the department, the additional services will be in operation from May 9 to May 13, providing greater convenience for holiday and festival commuters.The special train schedule is as follows;Special train 01: Vesak Night Special Colombo Fort to Badulla – operates on 2025.05.09 and 13Departure (from Colombo Fort) at 07.30 p.m.Special train…

A Bell 212 Helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this morning (09), the SLAF confirmed.The SLAF spokesperson stated that the accident occurred during a demonstration at a passing-out ceremony of the Sri Lanka Air Force.Meanwhile, it was reported that 12 individuals, including the two pilots, were onboard the helicopter at the time of the incident.Both pilots have reportedly ejected safely and have been rescued while there is currently no further information regarding the other individuals who were onboard, he said

The Election Commission has instructed all candidates who contested the 2925 Local Government (LG) Elections to submit their campaign income and expenditure reports on or before May 28.Issuing a statement, the Commission emphasized that candidates are required to prepare and submit their financial disclosures in line with the provisions of the Election Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of 2023. These reports must be handed over to the Returning Officers of the respective electoral districts.Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake stated that this process is part of the Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.However, Executive Director…

Cardinal Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.Cardinal Robert Prevost OSA has been elected the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.The American cardinal is considered a balanced moderate known for his solid judgement and his capacity to listen.Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, he is aged 69. From his first appearance on the balcony, it was clear he had decided unlike Francis to wear the traditional…

The government hopes to maintain electricity tariffs unchanged in the current situation, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated in Parliament. Minister Jayakody made this assertion in response to a question raised by Kalutara District Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera.MP Perera questioned whether the government will take steps to increase electricity bills in the future as per the wishes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).Responding to this, the Energy Minister stated that although the government has no intention to increase tariffs, electricity tariffs play a major part in country’s debt repayment.

Between 2,000 and 2,500 children in Sri Lanka are suffering from Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that impairs the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells, according to the Ministry of Health. The Director of the Non-communicable Diseases Unit at the Ministry of Health, Specialist Dr. Samiddhi Samarakoon stated that 40 to 50 newborns in Sri Lanka are diagnosed with Thalassemia annually.At a press conference held in connection with World Thalassemia Day commutations, Dr. Samarakoon noted that around 500,000 people in the country are carriers of one of the faulty genes that cause Thalassemia.This year’s Thalassemia Day is being celebrated…

Subhashini Indika Kumari Liyanage, who is currently serving as an Examinations Commissioner in the Department of Examinations, has been appointed as the Commissioner General of Examinations with immediate effect. The term of office of H.J.M.C.A. Jayasundara, who served as the Commissioner General of Examinations ended on May 06, 2025. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal submitted by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, to appoint A.K. Subhashini Indika Kumari Liyanage, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service, to the vacant post of Commissioner General of…

The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who sought an order to quash the indictment filed by the Attorney General against three defendants, including him. The Attorney General had filed the indictment on charges including concealing evidence regarding the alleged hit-and-run incident that took place in 2016, in which the vehicle the former Minister was travelling in collided with a motorcycle in Rajagiriya, causing life-threatening injuries to its rider, and the alleged fabrication of evidence related to the accident. The Supreme Court also ordered the Colombo High Court to take up the indictment filed against…