Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to Mahesh Gammanpila, the former Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, who was previously arrested and remanded in connection with a major corruption investigation.Gammanpila was taken into custody over allegations of involvement in the importation of a consignment of substandard organic fertilizer from a Chinese company during the tenure of the previous administration, which reportedly caused a financial loss of USD 6.9 million to the government.Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued the bail order after carefully considering the facts presented by the Bribery Commission and the defense counsel.

A man who was imprisoned for 14 days after his mobile phone rang inside the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court has died while in custody under controversial circumstances, prompting allegations from his family and triggering investigations by prison authorities.The individual, who had reportedly arrived at the court premises to post bail in a case filed over traffic violations, was detained for allegedly violating the decorum of the courtroom when his phone rang during proceedings. Prison authorities claim he died of a sudden illness while in custody. However, his relatives have accused prison officials of assaulting him, alleging that the post-mortem examination had revealed…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently on a state visit to Vietnam, extended an open invitation to Vietnam’s leading conglomerate, Vingroup, to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s real estate and tourism sectors.While congratulating the Vingroup for their achievements and for building a diversified global brand, President Dissanayake invited Vingroup to consider investing in Sri Lanka’s real estate and tourism sectors. He further emphasized that Sri Lanka is pleased to facilitate the creation of a smooth and enabling environment for their investments. The President made these remarks during a business engagement with Vingroup at their Headquarters in Hanoi, last evening (04)…

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered that items believed to be gold, found from LTTE camps, illegally operated financial institutions, and other buildings during the humanitarian operation in the North and East, and currently in the custody of the Directorate of Military Intelligence, be sent to the National Gem & Jewellery Authority (NGJA) for an evaluation.Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali also called for a report following the evaluation of items. These orders were issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali after considering a request made by Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).Having reviewed the facts…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Southeast Asia last afternoon (04), where he paid homage and received blessings.The President received a warm and heartfelt welcome from the Vietnamese people, who had gathered near the entrance of the temple, waving the national flags of both Sri Lanka and Vietnam, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division.A large crowd lined the pathway within the temple grounds to catch a glimpse of the Sri Lankan President, expressing their respect and goodwill by waving the two nations’ flags, the PMD added.Upon…

The Election Commission says that preparations of the polling stations for the Local Government (LG) Elections will commence this morning (May 5).This year’s LG Elections is scheduled to begin tomorrow (May 6) at 7.00 a.m., and voting will be held until 4.00 p.m. at 13,759 polling centers across the island.A total of 17,156,338 voters are eligible to vote in the elections, which will be held for 339 Local Government institutions.The Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, stated that all arrangements have been made to conduct the election and that government officials assigned to election duties must attend without fail.Meanwhile,…

More than 1,250 complaints have been filed with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in the first three months of this year.The Commission stated that it received a total of 1,267 complaints between January 1 and March 31.During this period, 24 raids were carried out across the island, resulting in the arrest of 20 individuals.Six of the suspects arrested included a school principal, an officer attached to the Ministry of Labour, a field officer, and an official from the Department of Immigration & Emigration.Additionally, a Public Health Inspector (PHI), a Development Officer, a Ministry of Justice…

A total of eight candidates have been arrested within the past 24 hours for violating election laws in connection with the 2025 Local Government (LG) election, Police said.Additionally, five political party supporters were also taken into custody between 6:00 a.m. yesterday (04) and 6:00 a.m. today (05).Meanwhile, since March 3, the total number of candidates arrested has risen to 54, while 204 supporters have been apprehended during the same period.Furthermore, 46 vehicles have been seized by police for violating election laws, Police added.

US President Donald Trump says he will hit movies made in foreign countries with 100% tariffs, as he ramps up trade disputes with nations around the world.Trump said he was authorising the US Trade Representative to start the process to impose the levy because America’s movie industry was dying “a very fast death”.He blamed a “concerted effort” by other countries that offer incentives to attract filmmakers and studios, which he described as a “National Security threat”.“It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”Since returning…

The Meteorology Department states that the Intertropical Convergence Zone (where winds from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere converge) further affects the island’s weather.Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva, Eastern, and North-Central provinces after 1.00 p.m.Fairly heavy falls of about 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, and Uva provinces.Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere on the island during the afternoon or night, the Met. Department said.Showers or thundershowers may occur in the Western and Southern provinces and in the Puttalam…