Sri Lankan AI News Summary.

DAILY NEWS DIGEST - SRI LANKA Sunday, October 18, 2026 NATIONWIDE POWER FAILURE RESOLVED: A countrywide power outage on Saturday was fully restored by evening, the National System Operator confirmed, with electricity returning area by area from noon and full transmission system restoration announced later in the day. The outage also disrupted water distribution from the Ambatale Treatment Plant, which has since resumed supply, and prompted a warning from the Railways Department that electrically operated level-crossing signals could malfunction during the disruption. TUSKER KAVANTISSA'S DEATH UNDER INVESTIGATION: Following the death of wild tusker Kavantissa, the Galgamuwa Magistrate's Court has ordered a post-mortem to determine the cause of death and directed that the carcass be buried securely on Wildlife Department land. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for foreign experts to assist with the examination. Separately, former Dehiwala Zoo veterinarian Dr. Jagath Jayasekara noted that treating a wild elephant weighing four to five tonnes is inherently difficult and risky, highlighting the challenges vets faced before Kavantissa's death. MONK HOSPITALISED DURING SATYAGRAHA: Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera has been hospitalised while taking part in a satyagraha protest at Colombo's Viharamahadevi Park, which is demanding the release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera. SCHOLARSHIP EXAM RE-SCRUTINY RESULTS OUT: The Department of Examinations has released re-scrutiny results for the Grade Five Scholarship Examination. JAYAWARDENE STEPS DOWN FROM MUMBAI INDIANS: Mahela Jayawardene has left his role as head coach of the Mumbai Indians, the IPL franchise announced on Saturday. POPE LEO DISCHARGED AFTER SURGERY: Pope Leo, 71, left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, four days after lung cancer surgery, walking unaided to his car and stopping to greet well-wishers. SRILANKAN AIRLINES BACKS JAPANESE CULTURAL EVENT: SriLankan Airlines flew in five professional drummers from Ota Ward, Japan, serving as official airline partner for the Japanese Embassy's presentation of the Wadaiko Daigen-gumi drumming group in Sri Lanka.