Author: Buzzer Editorial

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the appointment of Sumathi Dharmawardena P.C. as the new Independent Chair of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).Dharmawardena replaces Sir Ronnie Flanagan who retired from the role after 14 years. Dharmawardena brings a wealth of experience including serving as an Additional Solicitor General at the Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka, in which he represents the Government of Sri Lanka, including the Ministry of Sport, in a variety of legal matters, the ICC said in a statement.In addition, the new ACU Chair has worked with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and…

The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on Year-on-Year basis, has decreased to -0.8% in October 2024, compared to -0.5% in September 2024, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.Meanwhile, food inflation has increased to 1.0% in October 2024 from -0.3% in September 2024 and the Year-on-Year inflation of Non-Food Group decreased to -1.6% in October 2024 from -0.5% in September 2024.The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) in October 2024 has decreased to 189.9 from 190.9 in September 2024.The Month-on-Month change was contributed by -0.20% from food and -0.33%…

Indonesian authorities investigating graft have arrested a former trade minister turned government critic on suspicion of improperly granting a sugar import permit in 2015 that led to losses of $25 million.Thomas Trikasih Lembong was named a suspect and arrested late on Tuesday by prosecutors from the attorney general’s office, accused of giving the permit to a private company at a time when Indonesia had a surplus of sugar, the office said.“At that time, Indonesia did not need to import sugar but (Lembong) granted a permit to import 105,000 metric tons of raw crystal sugar,” prosecutor Abdul Qohar told a press…

The Railway Station Masters will refrain from all ticketing duties from 4.30 p.m. today (30), the Railway Station Masters’ Union announced.However, the union also stated that there will be no disruptions to train services.On Tuesday (29), the Railway Station Masters’ Union warned that they will launch a strike action starting from midnight today (30), if their demands are not met during the discussion with the subject minister.The union decided to launch an immediate trade union action, over issues pertaining to the post of Railway Station Master.However, President of the association Sumedha Somaratne mentioned that they arrived at this decision since…

Former Minister Johnston Fernando, who was arrested and remanded over the unregistered luxury vehicle allegedly belonging to him found parked in a star-class hotel premises, has been granted bail.He was ordered to be released on 5 surety bails of Rs. 5 million each by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.Former Minister Johnston Fernando, was arrested by the CID on October 23 over an incident of an unregistered luxury vehicle allegedly belonging to him found suspiciously parked at a star-class hotel premises, and he was remanded until October 30 by Colombo Fort Magistrate.The Former MP was arrested after…

A special search operation conducted by the Navy off Venpuravinagar, Jaffna on 29th October 2024 led to the apprehension of 3 suspects with 291 illegally harvested sea cucumbers and seizure of a trawler. The Sri Lanka Navy carries out regular search operations and patrols in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to preventing illegal fishing practices.In line with ongoing efforts, SLNS Kanchadewa in the Northern Naval Command apprehended 3 individuals in the sea area of Venpuravinagar. The suspects were found transporting 291 sea cucumbers ashore in a trawler without a valid fishing pass.The suspects held in this operation were identified as…

The Terrorism Investigation Division informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that two more suspects have been arrested on suspicion of planning an attack within the country, targeting areas frequented by tourists, at the behest of foreign terrorist organizations.Detectives eeported to the court that, under the orders of the Minister of Defense, the suspects are being held for further questioning under a 90-day detention order.A confidential report on further investigations related to the Arugam Bay incident was presented to Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara by the officers of the Terrorist Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department.The suspects were arrested under the provisions…

The postal voting for the 2024 parliamentary election will commence today. Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake said that over 738,000 state sector employees are eligible to cast their vote in the postal voting for the parliamentary election.He further announced that having a valid identification card is mandatory for all postal voters.The Election commission said that the postal voting process will also take place on November 1st and 4th. For public servants who are unable to mark their postal votes on these dates, the commission has arranged for the necessary facilities on November 7th and 8th.

All government Tamil medium schools in the Central and Uva Provinces will remain closed on November 01 (Friday) following the Deepavali holiday on October 31.However, these schools will function on November 09 (Saturday) to cover this extra holiday, according to the Zonal Education Directors.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said on Tuesday it had elected deputy head Naim Qassem to succeed slain secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air attack on Beirut’s southern suburb over a month ago.The group said in a written statement that its Shura Council had elected Qassem, 71, in accordance with its established mechanism for choosing a secretary general.He was appointed as Hezbollah’s deputy chief in 1991 by the armed group’s then-secretary general Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed by an Israeli helicopter attack the following year.Qassem remained in his role when Nasrallah became leader, and has long…