Sri Lankan AI News Summary.

Sri Lanka Daily News Digest - Monday, October 5, 2026 ECONOMY The Central Bank and the government have signed a new Monetary Policy Framework Agreement. It sets an inflation target of 5% for the next three years. Central Bank figures show fuel imports cost USD 4.07 billion from January to August, up 61.6% on the same period last year. This pushed the trade deficit to USD 7.2 billion. Internationally, G7 leaders agreed under US pressure to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from strategic reserves to bring down prices. At home, Litro said domestic LP gas prices will stay the same through October. The government also secured Asian Development Bank financing for a rooftop solar integration and Virtual Net Metering project, with grant support from the EU and Japan. POLITICS AND COURTS Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was arrested on an open warrant and remanded by the Colombo Magistrate's Court. He is due in the Court of Appeal today. A Supreme Court decision cancelled his Presidential pardon for the six-year sentence he received in 2018. The SJB parliamentary group meets today to make a final decision on a no-confidence motion against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told the ICRC that an evidence-based, inclusive approach is needed to deal with people who went missing during the war. FOREIGN AFFAIRS Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath denied claims that the United States pressured Sri Lanka over supplies given to Iranian ships in international waters near the island. Separately, he said no licence fees are needed to play or sing songs at weddings, family events or other private gatherings, dismissing claims on social media. WEATHER AND SAFETY The NBRI has issued landslide warnings for 13 Divisional Secretariat divisions in five districts, in effect until 4 p.m. today. A 16-year-old student drowned after being swept away by a current during an educational trip to Samanalawewa. CONSUMER AND SOCIETY The Consumer Affairs Authority has begun inspecting bakeries and shops across the island for underweight bread and for failing to display prices and weights. A peer-reviewed study found high levels of burnout among Grade 13 students preparing for their A/Level exams. SPORT Sri Lanka's T20 team, captained by Kusal Mendis, has left for Pakistan for a three-match T20 series starting October 9. Mendis said the team will try different combinations and give emerging players more chances to build depth before the World Cups. The Sri Lanka women's Under-19 team must beat Bangladesh to stay in the Tri-Nation T20 series after losing their first match to Pakistan. INTERNATIONAL A UAE official said a flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with the cockpit crash axe and tried to take over the controls on a flight to Tel Aviv, calling it an attempted terrorist attack. Australian police are investigating the co-pilot's links to Australia.