Author: Buzzer Editorial

A three-day special national dengue control programme launched by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media commenced today (08) across 72 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions in 14 districts.The programme is scheduled to continue until June 10, with authorities intensifying efforts to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites in high-risk areas.Reviewing the progress of the first day’s operations at the Disaster Management Unit of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, stated that the programme had recorded a highly successful start.The initiative is being carried out with…

A Treasury report has indicated that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) also bears responsibility for the disappearance of US$2.5 million belonging to the Treasury, the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva has stated.According to MP de Silva, the Central Bank has been given one week to submit its position regarding the findings contained in the report.The matter was taken up during a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance held yesterday (08) to discuss the disappearance of the Treasury funds.Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and the Governor of…

The Colombo High Court has convicted former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena on corruption charges.Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail delivered the verdict in the cases filed against Sarana Gunawardena by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).Accordingly, the defendant is scheduled to be sentenced, while attorneys are currently making submissions before the court regarding the sentencing, said Ada Derana reporter.The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had filed the case against Sarana Gunawardena, alleging that he committed the offense of corruption by causing a financial loss to the State during the procurement of vehicles on…

The Horana Chief Magistrate’s Court today (08) directed the bank manager of a state bank in Horana to submit a detailed report to police on the bank’s financial administration procedures in relation to ongoing investigations into the Rs. 35 million robbery at the bank on June 3.Chief Magistrate Lakmini Widanagamage issued the order following a request by police, who stated that a review of the bank’s formal financial processes was necessary to advance the investigation.The bank manager has since agreed to provide the required documentation to investigators.Meanwhile, police have produced before court Rs. 1,747,000 in cash, along with the bag…

Two individuals have been killed after a train collided with a three-wheeler at a level crossing between Kapuwatta and Kandana railway stations. The Chilaw-Colombo Fort train reportedly collided with a three-wheeler this morning, Sri Lanka Railways stated.

Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena has appeared before the Colombo High Court as the defendant in four cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged corruption charges.The verdicts in the respective cases against the former Deputy Minister are scheduled to be delivered today, said Ada Derana reporter. The four cases were filed by CIABOC, alleging that Gunawardena caused a financial loss to the government during his tenure as Chairman of the National Lotteries Board in 2006 by procuring vehicles for the Board on a rental basis.

The Court of Appeal today (08) fixed June 22 for further consideration of a petition filed by former State Intelligence Service officer Colonel Kelum Maddumage, seeking an order preventing his arrest in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.The petition was taken up before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, raised preliminary objections, arguing that the petition was not maintainable before the court.President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, who has been named as a respondent in the…

Three Sri Lankans who were abducted in Ethiopia have been successfully rescued following a coordinated security operation.The victims had reportedly travelled to Ethiopia for employment opportunities when they were kidnapped shortly after their arrival.Following the incident, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Ethiopia informed the Bole Sub-City Police, prompting an investigation that began on May 26.Preliminary findings indicated that the three individuals had entered the country only days before they went missing. Police investigations later traced a vehicle believed to have transported them from the airport.Further inquiries led authorities to a residential house in Shashamane, a town in Ethiopia’s Oromia region,…

Printing of vehicle number plates, which had been suspended for over a year, resumed today (08) at the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) premises in Werahera.The programme was launched under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena.Addressing the event, the Deputy Minister said the suspension had resulted from delays in procurement procedures related to awarding the printing contract to a private company. He said the process was subsequently completed following required technical evaluations and approval procedures, allowing printing operations to recommence today.He noted that during the suspension period, a backlog of approximately 600,000 number plates had…

The Philippines disaster agency has reported at least 15 fatalities after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake.Philippine authorities urged people in affected coastal regions to move to higher ground after the offshore quake hit south of General Santos, a city of about 720,000.A series of powerful aftershocks rocked the area from about two hours after the first quake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), with the largest measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale.Videos posted to social media and verified by AFP showed a shopping centre with a Jollibee fast food restaurant collapsing into rubble in the province’s General Santos City,…