Today’s News Digest: Your go-to summary of the key events and headlines that shaped the day. From major developments to breaking news, we bring you everything that happened today, all in one quick and easy read.
President gives committee two weeks to review prison rules for Buddhist monks
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the appointment of a committee to review existing laws governing the treatment of Buddhist monks while in prison and when they are taken outside prison and to propose amendments, new standing orders and regulations. The committee will comprise representatives from the Attorney General’s Department, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Administration, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, prison officials and the Commissioner General of Prisons. The President said the committee has been given two weeks to study the existing provisions and submit recommendations. Any provisions affecting Buddhist monks will be reviewed in consultation with the Maha Sangha and amended accordingly. President Dissanayake made the remarks during a special meeting with members of the Maha Sangha at the Presidential Secretariat today (Oct. 8), following concerns over the treatment of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera while being taken to court from prison.
President declares CCIB a detention centre under Prevention of Terrorism Act
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Defence, has officially declared the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in Colombo as a place of detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The declaration was made through an Extraordinary Gazette notification, No. 2509/11, published on October 6, 2026. According to the Gazette, the President exercised the powers vested in him under Section 9 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979, to designate the premises as a place of detention for the purposes of the Act.
Opposition signs no-confidence motion against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne
The Opposition has signed a no-confidence motion against Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (08). The signing took place at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, under the leadership of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Several Members of Parliament representing Opposition parties participated in the signing of the motion. The move marks an effort by the Opposition to challenge the Speaker’s position through a parliamentary no-confidence motion.
Amnesty urges Saudi Arabia to overturn death sentence against Sri Lankan migrant worker
Amnesty International has urged Saudi Arabian authorities to immediately overturn the death sentence imposed on 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who was convicted on blasphemy charges over a Facebook comment. In a statement, the human rights organisation called for Sivarasa’s immediate and unconditional release, arguing that the charges against him stem entirely from exercising his right to freedom of expression. According to Amnesty International, Sivarasa was arrested on July 1, 2026, after posting a Facebook comment deemed insulting to Prophet Mohammad. He reportedly told the judge that he had made the comment in a moment of anger, subsequently deleted it and published a video apology expressing remorse. On July 27, Sivarasa was initially sentenced to five years in prison and fined SAR 3 million.
NDB Bank fraud rises to Rs. 13.6 billion as final audit reveals governance failures
The financial impact of fraudulent transactions at NDB Bank has increased to Rs. 13.6 billion, with a final audit report identifying several governance failures and weaknesses in the bank’s internal control systems. The findings were discussed at a meeting of Parliament’s Committee on Public Finance (COPF), chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, which summoned officials from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to examine the financial irregularities and the final audit report. According to the committee, the audit, covering the period from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2026, identified fraudulent transactions amounting to Rs. 13,639,664,684. The total represents an increase of approximately Rs. 400 million from the Rs. 13.2 billion initially disclosed by NDB Bank on April 6, 2026.
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