Sri Lankan AI News Summary

Sri Lanka Daily News Digest — Thursday, September 24, 2026 PARLIAMENT & 22ND AMENDMENT: Parliament debates the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill today and tomorrow, after the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection approved both. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has urged MPs to vote according to conscience rather than party line, while a record number of petitions against the 22A were heard by a five-judge Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament the government is steering the country "from democracy to dictatorship." Separately, the Justice and National Integration Ministry has gazetted a new "Bill to Protect the State from Terrorism," intended to replace existing anti-terror legislation. EASTER ATTACKS APPEAL: Fifteen people convicted over the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed hundreds across three churches and three hotels, will appeal their sentences of more than 200 years each, their defence lawyer confirmed. ECONOMY: The IMF's Mission Chief said Sri Lanka's economy remains resilient, with 4.2% growth in Q2 2026 marking 11 consecutive quarters of expansion, and recommended retaining the existing 5% inflation target while debt restructuring stays on course. Exports crossed US$12 billion for the first eight months of 2026, boosted by services growth. The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its rebound for a second session, with the ASPI holding above 21,000 despite late profit-taking. Parliament approved a Rs. 17.2 billion supplementary estimate for electricity bill relief. Marking two years since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office, commentary noted the government inherited an economy still recovering from the 2022 collapse. FIRE IN MORATUWA: One person died and two were injured in a fire at Block C of the Soysapura Housing Complex in Moratuwa on Wednesday night. CRIME & SOCIAL: Police are seeking public help to trace a suspect wanted for the abduction and sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl at Galle Face Green in January. An SLPP MP has called for action after schoolchildren were reportedly involved in a commemoration event for a former LTTE cadre in the North. Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has offered to help Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan, who faces a death sentence in Saudi Arabia. WEATHER & ENERGY: The Met Department says a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal will cross India's Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast tonight. Oil prices held near two-week lows on improved Gulf supply, even as diesel refining margins hit a record high on potential US export restrictions. CUSTOMS: Sri Lanka Customs will launch its first paperless declaration system on October 1, part of a digital overhaul of trade procedures. SPORT: Sri Lanka lost the series-opening ODI to England by 89 runs at Chester-le-Street, with Will Jacks starring for the visitors. At the Asian Games, Chanithma Sinaly and Ravindu Laksiri both advanced to the squash pre-quarter-finals, while China's 13-year-old Yu Zidi completed a hat-trick of swimming golds.