Author: Buzzer Editorial

Parliament today (11) approved an extension of the deadline granted to the Special Parliamentary Committee appointed to conduct a comprehensive study into the lack of preparedness for Cyclone Ditwah, and to submit its findings, recommendations, and proposals to Parliament.Accordingly, the committee has been given until September 19 to present its report, extending the original deadline set by Parliament on January 21, 2026.Under the initial mandate, the committee was required to submit its report within three months of its first meeting. As a result, the report had originally been scheduled to be presented on June 19.However, with Parliament’s approval, the deadline…

Loss-making operations at several Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots are largely due to their location in rural areas and the resulting lower number of daily bus services, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena told Parliament today (11).Responding to a question in Parliament, the Deputy Minister said the government has already initiated measures to address the issue through a more structured operational framework.He further noted that the poor condition of the SLTB bus fleet has led to frequent repair and maintenance requirements, placing a significant financial burden on the board and contributing to its losses.Deputy Minister Gunasena also…

The Colombo High Court today (08) has dismissed an appeal filed by Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of former Member of the Parliament (MP) Wimal Weerawansa, against a two-year prison sentence and fine imposed on her, who has been charged with providing false personal information in order to obtain a diplomatic passport. Delivering the verdict, Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne upheld the judgment previously issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court against the appellant, Ada Derana reporter said. In 2022, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court found Weerawansa guilty of the offence and sentenced her to two years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs.…

The National Dengue Control Unit has declared a nationwide Dengue Control Week beginning June 15 in a bid to intensify efforts to curb the rising spread of dengue across Sri Lanka.Community Physician Specialist Dr. Prasheela Samaraweera of the National Dengue Control Unit said the decision was taken in response to the increasing number of dengue cases reported island-wide.As part of ongoing prevention measures, a special mosquito control programme was conducted throughout the country on June 8, 9, and 10 to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.Dr. Samaraweera further stated that an additional mosquito eradication week is being planned at the…

Sri Lankan javelin throw champion Rumesh Tharanga has risen to third place in the latest world rankings, marking a significant achievement for Sri Lanka’s athletics.According to the latest rankings, Tharanga has secured a score of 1,324 following outstanding performances in recent international meets.The Sri Lankan athlete achieved this milestone following a remarkable performance at the recent Diamond League Athletics Championships held in Rome, Italy.The 23-year-old delivered a historic performance at the Rome Diamond League, producing a stunning throw of 92.62 metres to set a new national record in the men’s javelin throw.Tharanga won the Rome Diamond League beating some of…

Former Chief Minister of the Southern Province Shan Wijayalal De Silva has been remanded until June 12 by the Hulftsdorp Chief Magistrate’s Court.He was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (10) in connection with an incident that allegedly took place in 2019.

The Satyagraha staged against the detention of former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station has been temporarily called off. The decision has been taken based on a court ruling issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate, a short while ago.The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court issued an order to appoint a five-member special medical board comprising psychiatric experts to examine whether the detained former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, was subjected to torture while in custody and to submit a report to the court.The order,…

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has appointed a five-member special medical board comprising psychiatric experts to examine whether the detained former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, was subjected to torture while in custody and to submit a report to the court.The order, issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, directed that the medical examination be conducted at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, said Ada Derana reporter.The Magistrate further ordered that the relevant medical report be submitted to the court on the next hearing date.

At least 12 people have been killed in a mass shooting in an area of Johannesburg, police in South Africa say.They say another nine people were injured in the attack at an informal settlement in Cleveland late on Tuesday, and a manhunt for suspects is under way.“It is alleged that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland,” the police said in a statement.“The suspects allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing…

Security has been strengthened in and around the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court complex, according to reports.Ada Derana correspondents said that a large number of Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel and police officers have been deployed to ensure security within the court premises and surrounding areas.The increased security comes ahead of the announcement of a court order related to a request made by the Attorney General concerning former Director of the State Intelligence Service Chief Suresh Sallay, who is currently being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).The Attorney General has sought an order directing the Director General of…