Author: Buzzer Editorial

Three 16-year-old students have sustained injuries when a boundary wall of the C.W.W. Kannangara College in Borella collapsed earlier today (12), police stated.The incident occurred when a backhoe operated by workers of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) for renovation work crashed into the boundary wall.The falling debris trapped three students who were in the vicinity at the time, police stated.The injured students were rescued and rushed to the Colombo National Hospital for treatment.Police said one of the students remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).The 48-year-old backhoe operator has been arrested in connection…

The issuance of passports and visas have been temporarily suspended due to a technical issue in the system of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Department has announced.Issuance of passports and visas will resume immediately upon restoration of the system, the Department added.Accordingly, officials are taking measures to restore the system.For further information, the public has been requested to contact the department via 011 210 1540 / 011 210 1545 or visit the official website of the Department.

Showers will occur at times in Central, Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Hambantota district.Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in NuwaraEliya, Matale, Badulla and Polonnaruwa districts.Several spells of showers will occur in Northern province.Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places.Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to…

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa stated that standing up for Buddhism, the Buddha Sasana, and the Maha Sangha is not racism.He made these remarks at a media briefing held at the party office on Nelum Mawatha.Rajapaksa stated that although he is a Sinhala Buddhist, he remains committed to safeguarding other cultures, languages, and religions in the country as well.“We stand for Sinhala Buddhism because the majority of the people in this country are Buddhists. And we are Buddhists in this country. So, we stand for the people of this country and for…

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection has approved the Bill seeking to abolish pension benefits for Members of Parliament.Committee Chair and MP Najith Indika stated that the Bill was unanimously approved during the committee meeting.

Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni has proposed the conduct of monthly drug review meetings in every hospital to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines.The Deputy Health Minister made these remarks during an inspection visit to the Matara District General Hospital.The Deputy Minister emphasized that such review meetings are crucial for identifying potential drug shortages in advance and implementing timely solutions.He noted that the meetings would also help maintain a continuous supply of medicines within hospitals, including through regional procurement where necessary.Dr. Wijemuni further stated that maintaining adequate stocks of essential medicines at all times would provide a sustainable…

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has warned that Sri Lanka could face further instability unless the current mode of governance is changed, underscoring the vital role of a professional and honest public service in maintaining the foundations of the State.The former President also praised senior public servant Saman Ekanayake, describing him as scrupulously honest and highly professional, and emphasized that a government cannot function effectively without an efficient, professional, and honest public service.Former President Kumaratunga said political leaders do not necessarily need long years of experience or technical expertise, but must possess unshakeable integrity. “In a functioning democracy political leaders depend…

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has stated that necessary measures have been taken to provide compensation to farmers whose crops were damaged due to the irregular construction of the salinity barrier across the Nilwala River.The board stated that a provision of Rs. 1,200 million has been allocated for this purpose in the 2026 national budget.Reports further indicate that farmers have been raising complaints since 2019, claiming that their cultivated lands become flooded during periods of heavy rain and floods as a result of the salinity barrier.Accordingly, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board noted that compensation amounting to Rs. 1,200…

The newly appointed Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Sri Lanka, Shannon Cowlin and the ADB delegation have held discussions with the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office.Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister extended congratulations to the newly appointed Country Director and acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the Asian Development Bank, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division.The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for ADB’s continued engagement and support aligned with Sri Lanka’s national development priorities.She further conveyed gratitude for the timely assistance extended by ADB in response to Cyclone Ditwah, noting the…

Four Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero, and six other individuals, have been granted bail by the Trincomalee High Court.On February 09, the Trincomalee Magistrate ordered that the ten suspects, including Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero be further remanded until today (11) in relation to the incident.They were arrested in connection with the incident of placing a Buddha statue at the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Viharaya on November 16, 2025 in violation of coastal conservation laws.A case was then filed based on a complaint filed by the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, alleging that an unauthorised structure was erected and…