Sri Lankan AI News Summary.

SRI LANKA DAILY DIGEST - Saturday, October 3, 2026 FUEL AND ENERGY The Government has asked the public to use less fuel and to use energy more efficiently as the country moves towards cleaner energy sources. Fuel deliveries will continue without disruption: the private tanker owners' association (CPPTOA) agreed to keep transporting fuel after the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation accepted its demand for higher transport commissions. Abroad, EU countries are discussing a French proposal to release diesel stocks. The move follows US pressure to bring down fuel prices, which have surged because of the Iran war. ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE The Bribery Commission (CIABOC) will open 23 regional offices. About 34,000 people face fines for filing their asset declarations late, and Japan has given US$2.5 million for equipment. Separately, former Minister Bandula Gunawardhana gave a statement to CIABOC about a Rs. 90 million investment case. YOUTH DRUG ARRESTS Police said more than 9,000 children and young people aged 8 to 21 were arrested in drug raids across the country between October 30, 2025 and October 1, 2026. Eleven of them were children aged 8 to 14. COURTS The Colombo Magistrate's Court has ordered the 10 doctors on the medical panel that examined former State Intelligence Service Director retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley to appear on October 6. TRANSPORT Upcountry Line trains from Colombo Fort to Peradeniya and Gampola started running again yesterday. The service had been suspended for nearly 10 months after Cyclone Ditwah. The Transport Minister also said work on the Peradeniya "Black Bridge" is being sped up. HEALTH Medicine prices will be revised soon. NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said some prices may go up and others may come down. WEATHER The Met Department has issued a warm weather advisory for the Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala District. The heat index may reach "Caution" level in some areas during the day. ECONOMY The Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on October 2. Both main indices fell under afternoon selling, and turnover dropped below LKR 1 billion. POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE Agriculture Minister K. D. Lal Kantha accused two private TV channels of deliberately distorting what government representatives say. In a new public outreach service, people can now send questions and suggestions directly to Industry Minister Handun by WhatsApp voice message. DIPLOMACY Sri Lanka has renewed Prageeth Seneviratne's appointment as Honorary Consul in Mombasa, Kenya. SPORTS Pathum Nissanka has a hamstring injury and is out of the T20 squad for the Pakistan series. Left-handed opener Sineth Jayawardena, 21, replaces him. India play Pakistan today for the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal in Japan. In tennis, Samaira Fernando and Revaan Amarasinghe won the girls' and boys' singles titles at the ATF Under-14 Week Two tournament, their second titles in a row. In Under-19 schools cricket, unbeaten Nalanda College beat St. Servatius' by four wickets for their second win, and newcomers Taxila Central Horana beat St. Sebastian's Katuneriya by 68 runs.