Sri Lankan AI News Summary.

SRI LANKA DAILY NEWS DIGEST - Wednesday, October 7, 2026 FUEL SHORTAGE CLAIMS DISPUTED The Sri Lanka Podujana Progressive Employees' Union-Petroleum says the country is again facing a fuel shortage, with long queues forming for Lanka Auto Diesel and Petrol 92 Octane. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation rejected the alarm, with its Chairman saying CPC holds enough stock to last three months and blaming a temporary squeeze on reduced distribution by other companies, compounded by misleading social media propaganda. ECONOMY GAINING MOMENTUM, WORLD BANK SAYS The World Bank has raised Sri Lanka's growth forecast to 4.4 percent for this year, citing robust industrial activity and continued expansion in services, and expects poverty to fall to 15.8 percent. Supporting indicators include headline inflation at 8 percent year-on-year in September and gross official reserves rising to USD 6.9 billion at end-August. Less reassuring is the import bill: Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera told Parliament that more than 800,000 vehicles worth around USD 3.8 billion have been imported since restrictions were lifted in 2024. On the markets, the Colombo Stock Exchange ended flat on October 6, as an early recovery from the previous session's sharp decline faded under afternoon selling pressure. ROW OVER GNANASARA THERA'S COURT ATTIRE Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera was brought before court in prison attire rather than his robes, prompting objections. Prison Media Spokesman and Commissioner of Prisons (Operations) Senaka Pallethenna has clarified the regulations governing inmate dress. Ven. Thunhiti Dhammaloka Thera, Founder and Convener of the Universal Buddhist Monks' Conference, warned the move could be read as a signal that authorities are willing to interfere in matters of the Buddhist Sasana. CRIME AND CORRUPTION The Assistant Superintendent of the Trincomalee Remand Prison was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over an alleged Rs. 1.235 million bribe. The Financial Crimes Investigation Division told the Matara Magistrate's Court it will move to suspend use of a Browns Hill property in Matara allegedly belonging to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Separately, the government has taken steps to gazette the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, intended to strengthen legal measures against serious offences. In Maharagama, wildlife officials arrested a suspect allegedly trying to sell protected sea shells valued at about Rs. 1.5 million. FOREIGN RELATIONS Thailand has agreed to waive visa requirements for Sri Lankan passport holders, restoring visa on arrival, according to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. A delegation led by CERT-India Director General Dr. Sanjay Bahl held cyber-security consultations in Colombo as part of the bilateral partnership on digitalisation and emerging areas including artificial intelligence. India's National Co-operative Exports Limited and the Sri Lanka Consumer Co-operative Societies Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Colombo to strengthen food supply cooperation. SPORT Javelin champion Rumesh Tharanga has been nominated among the top ten for the 2026 Men's World Athlete of the Year award after a standout international season. Sri Lanka's para athletes say they are confident of a strong medal haul at the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, running October 18 to 24. UTILITIES Water supply to several areas of the Kalutara district will be suspended for eight hours on Thursday, October 8, for maintenance at the Kehena Water Treatment Plant, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said. WORLD A Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Ondo State in southwestern Nigeria on Monday, killing all 32 on board, including 25 passengers and seven crew. Former Ambassador to Nigeria Kana Kananathan conveyed his condolences. In the Black Sea, a civilian cargo ship sank after a drone attack and its crew is missing, Bulgarian officials say.