Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Colombo High Court has moved to February 21 to deliver its decision pertaining to the reply submissions by the Bribery Commission in relation to the case filed against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and a group of defendants.The Bribery Commission had filed this case against five defendants including former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Ajith Nivard Cabraal, alleging that they caused a loss of over Rs. 1.8 billion to the Sri Lankan government through the Greek treasury bond investments in 2012.The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuvida today…

Jaffna District Independent MP Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna declared today (23) in Parliament that he will no longer support the ruling party, citing a violation of his parliamentary privileges.Dr. Archchuna expressed his frustration, stating that it took 36 days for him to be given an opportunity to speak in Parliament. He further noted that he had hoped the government would address this issue fairly, but no action was taken.In response, Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake, clarified that it is the responsibility of the opposition—not the government—to allocate time for opposition MPs to speak. Minister Ratnayake added that he had…

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala clarified in Parliament today (23) the process of obtaining a passport under the new online method through one-day service.The Minister explained that the applicants can reserve a date online to obtain a passport and collect it on the same day, however, the earliest available reservation date for new bookings is currently June 27, 2025.Responding to a question posed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Minister Wijepala clarified the passport issuance process, emphasizing that online reservations typically result in a date approximately five months later. Nevertheless, he emphasized that a mechanism exists for urgent…

Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and his wife, who were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations of misusing funds amounting to over Rs. 6.1 million in 2014, have been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.This order was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela after they were produced before the court today (23).Meanwhile, two other suspects who were arrested in connection with the incident have also been ordered to be released on bail.The former Minister and his wife were arrested last evening by CID officers on the charges of obtaining a sum of over Rs. 6.1…

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) says that 3,649 dengue cases have been reported in the country within the first three weeks of this year.Furthermore, two dengue-related deaths have been reported during this period, the NDCU reported.The Western Province has recorded the highest number of cases, totaling 1,576. Of these, 491 patients are from Colombo District, 558 from Gampaha, and 95 from Kalutara District.The NDCU also mentioned that 22 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions across the island have been identified as high-risk areas for dengue.

Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake alleges that several government ministers, misuse government vehicles despite official claims that no such vehicles have been provided to them.The accusations surfaced during the parliamentary session today (23), in response to a question regarding the allocation of vehicles to MPs. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya addressed the inquiry, asserting that no vehicles have been distributed to the members of the 10th Parliament. However, the Prime Minister noted that the Presidential Secretariat had issued one vehicle, KR-5844, to MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva considering it a specific requirement. She clarified that the vehicle was provided without a driver and…

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court ordered the adjournment of the case involving Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna due to a discrepancy in identifying the correct suspect.The case has been postponed until February 3.MP Archchuna appeared before the court through a motion, however, the Anuradhapura Police had mistakenly named the accused as “Arjuna Lochan.” However, the driver’s license presented to the court is under the name of “Ramanathan Archchuna”.As a result, the court had directed that the correct suspect be identified and reported back to the court, according to the MP’s attorney.Police launched an investigation against the parliamentarian for allegedly obstructing the…

The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health…

In relief to LGBTQ+ couples, Thailand has recognized same sex marriage and the law granting them the same rights as heterosexual couples has come into legal status on Thursday.Thailand passed the Marriage Equality Bill in June 2024 and it comes into effect on January 23 with the country becoming first in South Asia and third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to legalize same sex marriage.Hundreds of same sex couples have been queuing up in Bangkok to register their wedding today as BBC reports that around 311 same-sex couples will register their wedding in the capital.The Marriage Equality Bill, which had passed both the houses…

Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and his wife have been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations of misusing funds amounting to over Rs. 6.1 million in 2014.Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said that the former minister and his wife were arrested by the CID this evening (22).The reason for the arrests, he said, was due to the then minister obtaining a sum of over Rs. 6.1 million from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) under the guise of providing relief to the people displaced by floods in Bingiriya and Narammala areas in 2014, and instead using the funds…