Sri Lankan AI News Summary

SRI LANKA DAILY NEWS DIGEST - Friday, September 4, 2026 JUDICIARY AND THE 22ND AMENDMENT ROW The constitutional standoff over the 22nd Amendment dominated the day. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka filed a motion before the Supreme Court saying it will not tender post-hearing written submissions on its Special Determination applications, citing the court's refusal to grant petitioners an oral right of reply after the Attorney General's submissions on Wednesday. Commentary in Daily News argued the Supreme Court's determination must be respected, noting that the Government has the right to defend its legislation, Parliament the authority to legislate, lawyers the right to challenge it and citizens the right to question. A separate analysis framed the controversy as an opening for democracy activists to deepen the idea of justice in a post-colonial democracy. Adding to the mood online, former TNA MP and President's Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran drew attention by posting two Latin maxims of natural justice: that no one should judge their own case, and that the other side must also be heard. POLITICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accused the NPP Government of attempting to establish one-party rule and of undermining democracy and the rule of law. The UN Human Rights Office, through spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, called on the Government to build on steps already taken to strengthen accountability for rights violations and advance reconciliation. Sajeewani Dilka Lakmali Karunannayake was sworn in as a Judge of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. An open verdict was returned in the post-mortem into the death of former Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando, deepening the mystery around the case. POLICE, DRUGS AND CORRUPTION President Dissanayake warned police officers colluding with drug traffickers and organised crime to become "un-purchasable" or leave the uniform. In the same push he promised a properly respected force: a proper promotion scheme, a new uniform expected around the middle of next year, and a risk allowance for all officers. CIABOC Director General Ranga Dissanayake said internal affairs units are being set up in public institutions so state officers can report corruption without their superiors' approval. Former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne was served indictments in the Colombo High Court over an alleged bribery case linked to a sand mining project. ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE Construction of the long-awaited electric railway network on three Colombo rail routes is expected to begin by May or June next year, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayaka said. The Asian Development Bank has channelled over Rs 530 million to Northern Province SMEs under its SMELOC2 scheme as at end-June 2026, while a two-day Central Bank-backed programme in Jaffna promoted LANKAQR and digital payments. Commentary urged the country to look to solar, given near-year-round sunshine, as a source of new jobs. PUBLIC NOTICES Parents of 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship candidates must await further instructions on online applications for 2027 Grade 6 admissions. The National System Operator warned the public against flying kites near 220 kV and 132 kV transmission lines, towers and grid substations. SPORT Chamari Athapaththu took record figures of 7 for 5, including a hat-trick she said she did not expect, after Nilakshika Silva's 35-ball fifty, steering Sri Lanka to a 75-run win over Indonesia. ALSO Dehiwala Zoo's sea lion Botham is recovering well from cancer surgery described as the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. Abroad, Apple faces a £2 billion (US$2.7 billion) London lawsuit from app developers over its app tracking rules.