Author: Buzzer Editorial

The Maritime Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has reported that 26 ships polluted Sri Lankan waters in the past year, based on data from a satellite monitoring project conducted in collaboration with the French government. The project, aimed at monitoring maritime pollution, uses advanced satellite technology to track and analyze incidents of marine contamination.Two major shipwrecks—the New Diamond and X-Press Pearl—stand out in recent history as causes of significant environmental damage to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystem. The New Diamond caught fire and sank 38 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s east coast in September 2020, while the X-Press Pearl, a Singapore-registered vessel, sank…

Sri Lanka thrashed West Indies by 9 wickets on Thursday (October 17) to take the series by 2-1. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with 2 wickets each to help the hosts restrict West Indies to 162 runs. In reply, both Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera brought up magnificent fifties to take the series.Opting to bat first, West Indies had a terrible start as they were crumbling on 55-4 after the halfway stage, adding some runs to it they lost another and soon became 62-5. This walked in, Gudakesh Motie, who slammed three sixes to uplift West Indies and…

The former One Direction star, Liam Payne, has died aged 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.A police statement said he had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo, an upmarket neighbourhood in the city.The head of the city’s SAME emergency medical service, told local television that he had suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall” and there was “no possibility of resuscitation”.He added that Payne was taken to the Casa Sur hospital after a call was made to emergency services.However, an investigation has been launched into the incident. The UK Foreign Office…

The government has announced an increase in taxes on certain imported goods, effective from October 14 to December 31, 2024. This move comes under the directive of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as the Minister of Finance.Under the new regulations, a special merchandise tax will apply to several key imports. Whole and flaked Mysore lentils, as well as yellow lentils, will now incur a tax of 25 cents per kilogram. Additionally, a special commodity levy of Rs. 302 per kilogram has been imposed on maldive fish and its substitutes.Fresh or frozen fish, excluding de-boned fish and other processed fish, will…

The Petroleum Trade Unions have criticized the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for failing to implement the revision of electricity tariffs, which was supposed to take place on October 01, allegedly due to the irresponsible actions of the CEB.During a press conference held in Colombo yesterday (16), the convener of the union, Ananda Palitha, expressed concerns over the issue. “The Electricity Board has not yet provided the necessary data to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for the revision of the electricity tariffs. Currently, the CEB’s net profit exceeds Rs. 155 billion. Why is there room for further exploitation?” he…

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing her alleged involvement in mass killings during violent protests that erupted earlier this year.The protests, which began as a student-led movement against public sector job quotas, escalated into some of the deadliest unrest since the country’s independence in 1971, resulting in over 700 deaths and numerous injuries.The violence ultimately forced Hasina to flee to India on Aug. 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge.The tribunal’s proceedings, presided over by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, saw prosecutors…

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has issued a circular stipulating the maximum spending limit allowed for each candidate for campaigning purposes during the 2024 General Election.Accordingly, the maximum expenditure limit allowed for candidates, parties, independent groups and national list candidates have been stipulated based on the district.All upcoming national elections will be subject to new campaign finance laws that will limit the amount of funding that candidates, political parties and independent groups can spend on their campaigns.Ahead of the 2024 presidential election which was held is September, the Election Commission had met with various stakeholders to brief them on…

The leader of the United National Party (UNP), former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on voters to elect to the Parliament candidates with proven experience in managing economic crises as the country faces ongoing challenges. Making a special statement ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election, Wickremesinghe emphasized that those who have worked with him over the past two years are best suited to guide the nation forward.“In these difficult times, it is vital that we have leaders in Parliament who know how to handle an economic crisis. Whether you are in the opposition or part of the government, without this experience,…

The 45th National Conference of Chartered Accountants took place yesterday (16) in Colombo, featuring a rare gathering of three former Presidents of Sri Lanka—Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Maithripala Sirisena, and Ranil Wickremesinghe—on the same stage.The former leaders shared their views on the country’s political landscape and answered questions presented to them at the conference, making the event a highlight in the nation’s political discourse.Speaking during the event, former President Maithripala Sirisena reflected on the political state of the country, emphasizing the need for integrity at all levels of government. He remarked: “A country cannot progress simply because its ruler is good. The…

The Elections Commission announced that the thumb of the voter’s left hand will be marked with the appropriate marking ink for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election scheduled for October 26, 2024.The Commission, while issuing an Gazette Extraordinary stated that since the little finger of the voter’s left hand was marked with the appropriate mark during the Presidential election, the thumb of the voter’s left hand will be marked for the election to the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha in order to address potential issues regarding the marking of voters with the appropriate mark as specified in Section 53A (3) of the Local…