Sri Lankan AI News Summary

SRI LANKA DAILY NEWS DIGEST — Thursday, July 9, 2026 TOP STORY Violence erupted at a prison as officers attempting to restore order were attacked by inmates, leaving more than 100 prison officers and inmates injured. The Air Force was reportedly involved in the response, renewing scrutiny of Sri Lanka's prison system. GOVERNMENT & POLICY Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament that a pilot project to curb social media use by children under 16 has shown successful results, with moves now underway to restrict access. Separately, Minister Vijitha Herath said a new Foreign Employment Act — aimed at closing legal gaps and strengthening protections for Sri Lankans working overseas — will be presented to Parliament soon. In court, the Attorney General's stance was called for in the case involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, with investigations still ongoing at the Fort Magistrate's Court. ECONOMY & BUSINESS The World Bank has reclassified Sri Lanka as an upper-middle income country, though analysts caution that sustained, structured growth — not ad hoc stimulus — is needed to make gains meaningful. The Colombo Stock Exchange fell again Wednesday as Middle East tensions weighed on investor sentiment. People's Leasing & Finance posted a strong FY2025/26, with profit after tax up over 50% year-on-year and Rs 5 billion in earnings. Talks are underway at the Agriculture Ministry to establish "Silicone City," a modern industrial park near valuable silica sand deposits. AGRICULTURE & PUBLIC SERVICE The Paddy Marketing Board will begin purchasing 2026 Yala season paddy from July 15. The Pensions Department launches an online awareness series to reduce delays in granting pensions to retiring public officers. SOCIETY & LAW A mobile drug-screening programme found 239 drivers and conductors testing positive for prohibited drugs across the Western Province. A Kitulgala jewellery shop owner was fined Rs. 2.1 million after pleading guilty to 38 charges of illegal wildlife trade. SPORTS West Indies clinched a 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka — their first over the islanders in more than two decades — raising hopes of a new era under captain Roston Chase, though they were fined 10% of their match fee and docked two WTC points for a slow over-rate in the second Test. Sri Lanka Under-19 aim to seal their ODI series against India Under-19 in a deciding third match after an eight-wicket win in the second. WORLD US President Donald Trump declared the Iran ceasefire "over" and threatened to strike "very hard" again, hours after attacks on US military sites in the Gulf; NATO chief Mark Rutte called the renewed US strikes "absolutely necessary." Denmark's PM Mette Frederiksen reminded Trump that Greenland is "not for sale." In football's World Cup, Messi inspired holders Argentina to a 3-2 comeback over Egypt with three late goals, while Switzerland reached their first quarter-final since 1954 on penalties over Colombia. In Germany, a palliative care doctor was jailed for life for killing 15 patients. Russia is reportedly jamming Starlink systems to counter Ukrainian drone strikes.