Author: Buzzer Editorial

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the government’s upcoming Value Added Tax (VAT) changes, saying that from July 1 Sri Lanka will widen the VAT net, raise rates, and tighten enforcement simultaneously.In a post on X, he said that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would be brought within the tax framework, financial services would be subject to higher taxation, and the digital economy would be incorporated into the VAT system.He further noted that overall compliance obligations would also increase.Premadasa argued that these measures amount to “extraction” rather than reform, warning that it is not possible to tax an economy into…

Under the directives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), a large number of individuals were taken into custody during island-wide operations conducted to prevent crime and drug trafficking.According to Sri Lanka police, a total of 26,346 individuals were screened during operations carried out yesterday (03). Of these, 548 individuals were arrested on suspicion, while 147 persons were directly identified as being involved in criminal activities.In addition, 212 individuals with outstanding warrants and 158 suspects named in open warrants were apprehended during these operations, said police.Furthermore, 135 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 83 were taken…

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that a crisis situation has emerged in the country’s energy sector, citing rising global fuel and coal prices as well as declining water levels in reservoirs.Addressing the National People’s Power (NPP) Colombo District May Day rally, the President said the government is currently providing a subsidy of Rs. 100 per litre on diesel to ease the burden on the public.“Today, the actual cost of a litre of diesel is Rs. 482, but consumers are able to purchase it at Rs. 382 because the government provides a subsidy of Rs. 100 per litre through the Petroleum…

Former Convener of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), Wasantha Mudalige, has claimed that there is a plan to hand over the biometric data (fingerprints and iris scans) of Sri Lankan citizens to an Indian company.Speaking to the media, he claimed that authority over the biometric data system used for National Identity Cards has been granted to India.He further noted that since 2012, more than Rs. 5.6 billion has been spent on software development for the electronic identity card project, and that the project could be completed with an additional Rs. 600 million.Mudalige also alleged that steps were taken during the…

The death of the Assistant Director of the External Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance, who had been interdicted in connection with the alleged misappropriation of USD 2.5 million linked to a cyber heist, has been confirmed as a suicide.Sri Lanka Police said that a panel of Judicial Medical Consultants, appointed to conduct the post-mortem examination on the body of the Assistant Director of the Finance Ministry’s Department of External Resources, concluded that all injuries were self-inflicted and that the death was due to suicide.The official, identified as Ranga Rajapaksa, was found dead at his residence in Kuliyapitiya on…

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has declared that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) have already united.He made these remarks while addressing the May Day rally held today (01) at the P.D. Sirisena Ground in Maligawatta, Colombo.During his speech, the Opposition Leader expressed his gratitude to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for sending a congratulatory message to the SJB May Day rally.He noted that while the former President had suggested the appointment of a committee to facilitate cooperation between the two parties, such committees were no longer necessary as the parties had already come together.Premadasa further stated…

The Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Temple Trees premises.During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division.Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages.The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations…

The Sri Lankan government has decided to make it mandatory for Buddhist monks travelling abroad to obtain recommendations from their respective senior monk (Guru Hamuduruwo), the regional Buddhist leader, and the Mahanayaka Thero of their respective Nikaya.Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Gamagedara Dissanayake stated that although this law had been enacted previously, it had not been strictly implemented in recent times.He stated that following a discussion held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Registrar Theros, it was emphasized that this requirement is essential moving forward and that the Mahanayaka Theros have also been briefed regarding the…

Harshitha Samarawickrama blasted an unbeaten 49 off just 29 deliveries to set up Sri Lanka’s series-clinching win over Bangladesh in the second T20I at Sylhet. The visitors, riding on Samarawickrama’s flourish at the end, posted 154 and ran home comfortable victors by 21 runs.Asked to bat, Sri Lanka put together a substantial total, built on the back of a composed top-order effort and a strong finishing kick. Sri Lanka got off to a sedate start with Hasini Perera falling cheaply to Fariha Trisna. Captain Chamari Athapaththu and Imesha Dulani then stitched a 44-run stand at a steady pace before the…

An Assistant Director at the External Resources Department of the Finance Ministry, who had been interdicted over the alleged theft of USD 2.5 million by hackers, has reportedly been found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence in Kuliyapitiya.He was reportedly found dead at his residence in Kuliyapitiya today by relatives who then proceeded to inform the police.Accordingly, police officers have already visited the scene and commenced preliminary investigations. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained as investigations are ongoing to determine whether the death was a suicide, accidental or a homicide. The Ministry of Finance had recently taken steps…