Sri Lankan AI News Summary.

NEWS DIGEST - Wednesday, October 21, 2026 WEATHER & SAFETY The National Building Research Institute has issued landslide warnings for five districts, in effect until 4 p.m. today amid continued rain. Separately, two farm workers were killed when lightning struck a paddy field in Rabewa, Anuradhapura. CRIME A restaurant owner shot by unidentified gunmen in Moratuwa's Soysapura area has died of his injuries. In Gampaha, a Road Passenger Transport Authority timekeeper was arrested by the Bribery Commission for allegedly soliciting a Rs. 100 bribe from a bus operator. PARLIAMENT & POLITICS The no-confidence motion against the Speaker remains stalled, with Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake arguing it touches sub judice matters that cannot be debated. MP Dayasiri Jayasekera told Parliament that SriLankan Airlines' systems have been taken over by hackers. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara rejected claims that the proposed Prevention of Organised Crime Bill would ban tattoos or long hair, calling the reports false. The Supreme Court has begun hearing 25 petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Protection of the State from Terrorism (PSTA) Bill. Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera is due in court on October 23, to appear in his monk's robes under revised Standing Orders. ECONOMY & GOVERNMENT The IMF has praised Sri Lanka's economic turnaround, citing a doubled revenue ratio and 11 straight quarters of growth, and reaffirmed its support. The Cooperative Wholesale Establishment has been revived with new leadership appointed this week. The Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower for a second straight session on October 20 as investors stayed cautious, though selective buying emerged near the 20,000-point level. Cabinet has approved new benefits for the Suraksha Student Insurance Programme and state patronage for the cremation of the late Ven. Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thera. ENVIRONMENT The Department of Wildlife Conservation's Director General warned that Sri Lanka's high elephant density, combined with limited land and expanding settlements, is deepening the human-elephant conflict challenge. SPORT Para sprinter Janani Dhananjana won silver in the women's T47 200m at the Asian Para Games and is chasing more medals. In the Under-19 Division One Tier A cricket tournament, defending champions Mahanama College, along with Mahinda, Nalanda and Wesley colleges, advanced to the semi-finals. WORLD NEWS A truck crashed into a tour bus west of Cairo, Egypt, killing 13 people and injuring 34. In France, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said curfews imposed in several cities helped keep the previous night calm after a weekend of riots and looting, and new curfews will be introduced wherever necessary.