Author: Buzzer Editorial

Cardinal Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.Cardinal Robert Prevost OSA has been elected the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.The American cardinal is considered a balanced moderate known for his solid judgement and his capacity to listen.Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, he is aged 69. From his first appearance on the balcony, it was clear he had decided unlike Francis to wear the traditional…

The government hopes to maintain electricity tariffs unchanged in the current situation, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated in Parliament. Minister Jayakody made this assertion in response to a question raised by Kalutara District Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera.MP Perera questioned whether the government will take steps to increase electricity bills in the future as per the wishes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).Responding to this, the Energy Minister stated that although the government has no intention to increase tariffs, electricity tariffs play a major part in country’s debt repayment.

Between 2,000 and 2,500 children in Sri Lanka are suffering from Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that impairs the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells, according to the Ministry of Health. The Director of the Non-communicable Diseases Unit at the Ministry of Health, Specialist Dr. Samiddhi Samarakoon stated that 40 to 50 newborns in Sri Lanka are diagnosed with Thalassemia annually.At a press conference held in connection with World Thalassemia Day commutations, Dr. Samarakoon noted that around 500,000 people in the country are carriers of one of the faulty genes that cause Thalassemia.This year’s Thalassemia Day is being celebrated…

Subhashini Indika Kumari Liyanage, who is currently serving as an Examinations Commissioner in the Department of Examinations, has been appointed as the Commissioner General of Examinations with immediate effect. The term of office of H.J.M.C.A. Jayasundara, who served as the Commissioner General of Examinations ended on May 06, 2025. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal submitted by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, to appoint A.K. Subhashini Indika Kumari Liyanage, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service, to the vacant post of Commissioner General of…

The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who sought an order to quash the indictment filed by the Attorney General against three defendants, including him. The Attorney General had filed the indictment on charges including concealing evidence regarding the alleged hit-and-run incident that took place in 2016, in which the vehicle the former Minister was travelling in collided with a motorcycle in Rajagiriya, causing life-threatening injuries to its rider, and the alleged fabrication of evidence related to the accident. The Supreme Court also ordered the Colombo High Court to take up the indictment filed against…

All flights from Sri Lanka to Lahore, Pakistan have been suspended till further notice due to safety concerns, SriLankan Airlines has announced. The matter was confirmed by a spokesperson to Ada Derana. Meanwhile, earlier today a report of a blast in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore was confirmed by Reuters, a day after Indian strikes at multiple locations in the country and fears of an escalation in conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.There was no immediate word on the reason for the blast.Furthermore, the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) said on Thursday (08) that flight operations at Lahore and Sialkot airports have been temporarily…

India captain Rohit Sharma has retired from Test cricket but will continue to play one-day internationals.It comes after reports in the Indian media on Wednesday that the 38-year-old would be removed as captain for the Test series in England this summer.“It has been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites,” Rohit posted on Instagram, alongside a picture of his Test cap.“Thank you for all of the love and support over the years.”Rohit will continue to play ODIs and remains skipper in that format, having won the Champions Trophy in March. He retired from T20 internationals after winning the…

The World Bank Group today announced a major initiative to support job creation and unlock private sector growth in Sri Lanka, backed by more than $1 billion in financing over three years. The package targets sectors with high potential for employment and investment—energy, agriculture, tourism, and regional development.The initiative aims to expand economic opportunity, strengthen local industry, and attract private capital to support long-term growth. It was announced after a meeting in Sri Lanka between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga—marking the first visit by a Bank President in two decades and signaling a renewed commitment…

The Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa district after 1.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas, it added.Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere of the island during the afternoon or night, according to the Met. Department.Meanwhile, showers may occur in coastal areas of the Western and Southern provinces and in Puttalam district in the morning too. Thus, the general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused…

Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, signalling an inconclusive first vote by cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel in a conclave to elect a new pope to guide the Roman Catholic Church.Thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square waiting for smoke to pour from a narrow flue on the roof of the chapel at the end of a day rich in ritual and pageantry, with prelates praying for divine guidance in their secret ballot.The crowds had to be patient as it took longer than expected for the smoke to appear, more than…