Sri Lankan AI News Summary.

Sri Lanka Daily News Digest — Monday, November 2, 2026 Cyclonic Storm Arnab has affected at least 21,356 people from 5,800 families across Sri Lanka, and six deaths have been reported, the Disaster Management Centre said. A new cyclone, Murasu, is intensifying over the Bay of Bengal, and a red-level warning for strong winds and rough seas is in place. Showers above 50 mm are likely in Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee and Mullaitivu. Four spill gates of the Deduru Oya Reservoir were opened by one foot each as water levels rose. Energy and fuel: A gas shortage is expected to ease within two days as several LPG shipments arrive, Litro Gas Terminal Lanka said. A Kandy trader was fined by the Kandy Magistrate's Court for hiding 28 Litro cylinders while telling customers they were unavailable. Globally, ADNOC's CEO said the world has drawn nearly 1 billion barrels from inventories since the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Health: Private hospitals face a shortage of essential, life-saving medicines, and consultant physician Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa warned that patients' lives are at risk. In a separate development, 2,819 trainee nurses from the 2020 cohort received appointment letters as Grade III nursing officers, and 76 promotions were announced. Economy: The Electricity Consumers' Association says tariffs could fall 20% in the fourth quarter, with reservoirs 95% to 100% full. President Dissanayake pledged further tax cuts in next month's Budget without jeopardising revenue targets. The CSE closed lower for a second consecutive session as trading stayed subdued. The ADB approved its first Strategic Business Outlook, projecting $104.5 billion in financing for 2027 to 2029. Cinnamon earned US$185 million in the first eight months of 2026. Sunshine Holdings reported 1HFY27 revenue up 24.4% to Rs. 40.2 billion, with profit after tax up 44.3% to Rs. 3.7 billion. The Aswesuma phase two beneficiary list is out, and the public should check eligibility before the November 11 deadline. Wildlife: The countrywide Hasthi Sena operation to protect elephants was launched. In Kala Wewa (Kalawewa), officers seized unauthorised firearms, ammunition, animal traps and explosive-laden hakka-patas. Crime and justice: A former Secretary to the Cooperatives and Internal Trade Ministry was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over the procurement of theatre chairs. One person died and two were injured in a shooting in Trincomalee. A prisoner died after a suicide attempt in Kalutara Prison. An Akuressa Police officer was dismissed over misconduct. Police denied a claim that drugs were involved in the October 31 Kadawatha shooting. Namal Rajapaksa questioned the protection of people in State custody. Sajith Premadasa said two new anti-terrorism and organised crime Bills threaten citizens' rights. CCTV will be installed at all police stations, and more than 310,000 suspects were arrested in the first year of the Ratama Ekata anti-drug drive. Sport: Afghanistan overtook Sri Lanka in the ICC ODI rankings, which now place Sri Lanka seventh. Pakistan and Sri Lanka were both fined for slow over-rates. Viran Chamuditha will captain the U-19 squad at the Asia Cup in Oman from November 5 to 14. Sri Lanka's kabaddi teams returned with silver and bronze from the 1st Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. World and tech: Hackers attacked supermarket fridges and freezers across Europe, from Sweden to Belgium. Binance lost $6.3 billion in a record crypto hack and is covering 90% of the losses. Apple overtook Nvidia as the world's most valuable company at $5.03 trillion. A PHP security alert led Sri Lankan government institutions to check their websites and applications. Other: The 63rd General Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union opened in Colombo under President Dissanayake. Sri Lanka courted investors at a forum in Jakarta and is targeting the UK market through Expo 2027. Nadika Ranasinghe, CFA, became President of CFA Society Sri Lanka. Sinhala and Tamil translations of UN women, peace and security resolutions were launched. Patrick Stewart died at 86.