Author: Buzzer Editorial

Three upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna have been cancelled following a possible security threat.The shows, part of Swift’s Eras tour, had been due to take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium.On Wednesday, two people were arrested on suspicion of planning attacks inspired by the Islamic State group on large events in the Austrian capital.A statement from the organisers said: “Due to confirmation by government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone’s safety.”

A routine police check escalated into a fatal confrontation on the Kotugoda – Seeduwa Main Road. A police officer’s duty firearm was discharged during a scuffle with individuals in a vehicle, leading to the death of a civilian.The incident occurred near the temporary police checkpoint at Kotugoda Maskade junction, where officers were inspecting vehicles. As they approached a car traveling from Seeduwa towards Kotugoda, the situation rapidly deteriorated. The occupants of the car reportedly attemped to seize control of the officer’s firearm, which subsequently went off.News 1st correspondent reports that one of the car’s passengers sustained critical injuries from the gunshot and…

magnitude 7.1 earthquake registering a lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale struck southern Kyushu on Thursday afternoon, triggering a tsunami advisory for Kyushu’s east and southern coast and the southern coast of Shikoku, the Meteorological Agency said.

Some Sri Lanka players currently in England for a three-Test series have raised concerns over security following widespread anti-immigrant riots in the country.Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a three-Test series in England starting on August 21 in Manchester. While the entire contingent has not made its way over to the UK, a few players and support staff have.According to an ESPNCricinfo report, those that have reached the UK have expressed concerns over their security amid nationwide anti-immigrant protests and riots.The report states that nine people – seven players and two support staff are currently in the UK, and have…

The Excise Department’s recent request for liquor companies to lower their prices has sparked significant backlash, with health professionals condemning the move as an encouragement of alcohol consumption.Speaking on the move, Dr. Sampath De Seram, Executive Director of the Alcohol & Drug Information Center (ADIC) in Sri Lanka, stated “The role of the Excise Commissioner should focus on recovering the arrears owed to the government, not on increasing alcohol consumption by asking companies to lower prices.”Further, Dr. De Seram revealed that the Excise department has not collected billions of rupees in arrears from alcohol companies.”As of June 30, 2024, the…

The 94th Battle of the Maroons between Ananda College and NalandaCollege was held at the SSC ground in Colombo on March 2nd and 3rd, ending in a draw.Subsequently, the “Maroons Salutation” event was organized on August 6th at the Eagles Ballroom of Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. This event aimed to fund the Sports Development Funds of both schools and to felicitate and appreciate all the sponsors of the 94th Battle of the Maroons. During this program, organized by the Joint Organizing Committee of Battle of the Maroons, 30 million rupees were donated for the development of sports at Ananda & Nalanda College. This historic donation marks the first time such a significant amount has been given…

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran believes the common candidate idea is a very bad one as it will make the Tamil cause weak.Taking to ‘X’, MP Sumanthiran said this was not an election one could use to send a message on Tamil issues.“This is not a referendum on the right of self-determination,” he further said.Meanwhile, in a recent televised interview, MP Sumanthiran revealed that the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) believed that a common Tamil presidential candidate was destined to fail.Stating that the common Tamil candidate will fare very badly in the upcoming elections, MP Sumanthiran said “This…

Former Member of Parliament P. Ariyanethran has been nominated as the Tamil Common Candidate for the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka.Ariyanethran was nominated by the ‘Tamil National Common Structure’, an alliance of Tamil political parties. The nomination comes after several Tamil political parties and civil organizations in Jaffna reached an agreement to field a common Tamil candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election. In July, an agreement in this regard was reached between Tamil People’s Alliance led by MP C.V. Wigneswaran, Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) led by MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan, People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) led by MP Dharmalingam…

Minister of Irrigation and Wildlife Conservation Pavithra Wanniarachchi has pledged her support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Election.Issuing a statement today, Minister Wanniarachchi said she will extend her support for President Wickremesinghe while remaining in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).Minister Wanniarachchi further said she had taken the decision on the demand of a majority of SLPP members from the Ratnapura District.

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has confirmed the death sentences imposed on former DIG Vass Gunawardena and five other accused over the abduction and murder of businessman Mohamed Siyam in 2013.The death sentences issued to former DIG Vass Gunawardena, his son, and four other accused by the three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court were confirmed by the Supreme Court today. The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences after dismissing the appeals made by the accused requesting to be released from the case. The accused include former DIG Vass Gunawardena, his son, a Senior Police Inspector, and…