Sri Lankan AI News Summary.

Sri Lanka Daily News Digest - Thursday, October 1, 2026 ECONOMY The Central Bank of Sri Lanka kept its Overnight Policy Rate at 8.75%. It is weighing rising inflation against steady domestic growth and outside risks, including geopolitical tensions. Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said a staff-level agreement with the IMF on the current programme is expected "very soon," as the Government has already completed much of the required work. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation revised fuel prices from midnight on September 30. Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government is discussing several relief packages for the public while keeping the economy stable. The Colombo Stock Exchange closed slightly lower on September 30 after late profit-taking wiped out an intraday gain of 120 points. CYCLONE RECOVERY The World Bank approved USD 110 million to repair and rebuild 600 km of roads badly damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. POLITICS AND JUSTICE Debate continues over judicial independence after Parliament voted last week on the 22nd Amendment, which needed a two-thirds majority, and on changes to the Judicature Services Act. The Court of Appeal dismissed a writ petition by Sarvajana Balaya leader MP Dilith Jayaweera, which challenged a complaint lodged against him before a Colombo Magistrate. A JVP delegation led by General Secretary Tilvin Silva visited the Delhi BJP office. A security officer assigned to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo after a television cameraman allegedly hit him on the head with a camera. GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told officials to set up a way to involve parents in protecting children from drugs. He said strong parent-child relationships work better than legal measures alone. The President also presented the "Vishishta Seva Vibhushana" medal to 57 serving and retired senior officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Prime Minister opened the second day of the AI Exhibition at Monarch Imperial, held as part of Sri Lanka AI Week 2026. CRICKET A new Bill to overhaul how Sri Lanka Cricket is governed is expected to go before Parliament. It proposes a board of seven independent and seven elected directors, with audited financial statements submitted to Parliament. SLC Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne said the reforms aim to rebuild public trust, improve financial accountability and bring in professional management. On the field, Sri Lanka's second-string side meets defending champions India today in the men's cricket semi-final at the Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan, after rain washed out six earlier matches. Ticket ballot registration for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 opens today. WORLD Israeli officials said the co-pilot of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv stabbed the pilot and tried to crash the plane. Passengers overpowered him and other pilots landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Bloomberg reports that Russia's weekly earnings from seaborne crude exports are at their highest level since 2022, driven by rising oil prices. Singapore has started a matchmaking service for government workers as it faces a record-low fertility rate.