Sri Lankan AI News Summary

Sri Lanka Daily News Digest — Friday, August 14, 2026 EXAMS The Commissioner General of Examinations, A.K. Indika Kumari Liyanage, has flatly denied rumours of a question paper leak, confirming that today's G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations proceed as scheduled. The assurance follows the discovery of six packets containing today's A/L Physics Paper I at an examination coordination centre in Ambalantota, which the Education Ministry is now investigating. Officials insist no papers were opened or leaked. Separately, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya called for Sri Lanka to move beyond its exam-centred education model, urging reforms that emphasise skills, creativity, experiential learning and holistic development. POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said meaningful political and constitutional change requires taking risks, adding that he is prepared to face the consequences of pursuing reforms. Opposing that agenda, a group of civil organisations backed by the Joint Opposition and several political parties has formed a common front, the Free Operations Centre, to campaign against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and to defend multi-party democracy. CRIME AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Police have defended the Malaysian operation involving underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, rejecting claims it failed. Walana Anti-Corruption Unit Director ASP Rohan Olugala described it as a success despite the difficulties of operating under a foreign jurisdiction, and said the international dragnet continues. Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said Sri Lanka has obtained Interpol Red Notices for 93 suspects believed to be hiding overseas. Police also reported arresting 1,093 foreign nationals across 24 raids this year over suspected cybercrime and financial fraud. In Wattegama, a woman allegedly abandoned a four-year-old girl in the town centre after arriving with the child in a three-wheeler, police said. TRANSPORT All Main Line train services were delayed after a breakdown between the Ambepussa and Alawwa stations. BUSINESS AND ECONOMY Sri Lanka and Oman have stepped up talks on expanding bilateral trade and investment, with Oman signalling interest in Sri Lanka's agriculture and energy sectors. HNB posted strong first-half results, with advances up Rs. 224 billion and the loan book growing 15 percent in the first half of 2026, while asset quality held firm at a net Stage 3 ratio of 1.17 percent. Pan Asia Banking Corporation crossed Rs. 350 billion in assets, with half-year profit after tax rising 16 percent to Rs. 2.5 billion. SPORT Sri Lanka meet Singapore today in the semi-final of the Asian Netball Championships at the Kai Tak Arena in Hong Kong, with a place in the final at stake. In cricket, India and Sri Lanka held pre-match training at the Galle International Stadium ahead of the opening Test starting tomorrow (15). Two 17-year-olds, Chamudi Praboda and Sanjana Kavindi, have been named in Sri Lanka's women's squad for the T20 Asia Cup in the UAE. INTERNATIONAL Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the United States is making an "even bigger miscalculation" in the Strait of Hormuz, citing what he called decades of intelligence failures. Pakistan, marking its 80th year, is increasingly orienting its strategic outlook towards West Asia, from Riyadh and Ankara to Beijing. In aviation, South Korea's Incheon has become the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic for the first time. IN BRIEF Researchers at the University of Vienna report the first evidence that dogs can distinguish emotions in human faces.