AGP Executive Report

Severe Weather Fallout: The Disaster Management Centre says 1,651 families (nearly 5,500 people) have been hit by heavy rains and strong winds, with 234 houses partially damaged and six destroyed; two deaths have been reported as emergency teams move in. FX Pressure & Vehicle Import Tensions: CBSL met dealers as the rupee slid further, with TT rates widening to Rs. 342.63–354.03 per USD; meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha says 9,429 vehicle LCs were opened on May 18 despite the 50% surcharge, calling it speculation—not leaked insider info. Court Moves in High-Profile Cases: A warrant was issued for Basil Rajapaksa after repeated non-appearance, while Pallegama Hemarathana Thera was released on bail with a foreign travel ban in a minor abuse case. Hajj Refund Complaint: Hajj operators filed a Rs. 110 million refund dispute with the Bribery Commission, alleging promised tent facilities were not delivered. Monsoon Update: Meteorology warns of heavy rain in parts of the west and south-west, plus strong winds in several provinces.

Court Crackdown: Matara Chief Magistrate Chathuranga Eranga Dissanayake has issued an arrest warrant for former minister Basil Rajapaksa after he repeatedly failed to appear in a FCID-linked land case, rejecting claims he was abroad for medical treatment. Monsoon Disruption: Heavy rains have submerged parts of the Colombo–Avissawella road and delayed trains on the Kelani Valley line after trees fell on tracks, while NBRO issued landslide warnings across multiple districts and a minor flood warning was issued for low-lying Kelani River areas. Rupee Pressure & Costs: The rupee slid to around Rs. 354 per US dollar, reviving fears of deeper depreciation and medicine import shortages, as officials and MPs trade blame over whether the government is managing the currency slide. Power & Accountability: PUCSL flagged operational, environmental and financial risks tied to coal shipments to Lakvijaya, and Parliament has appointed a subcommittee to probe Norochcholai/Lakvijaya environmental impact. Child Protection: Police arrested a 40-year-old father over alleged impregnation of a 13-year-old schoolgirl, while separate reports show meningitis cases among students under treatment. Energy Transition: Colombo Port unloaded Sri Lanka’s first commercial-grade battery storage units, a milestone for grid stability.

Rupee Shock Meets Political Firestorm: The UNP says the rupee has slid from about 292 per US dollar to around 354, blaming government policy drift and weak foreign reserves, as currency pressure keeps lifting import costs and squeezing daily life. Fuel, Food, and the Cost-of-Living Spiral: With global oil turmoil feeding local prices, milk powder and milk-tea costs are rising, and importers warn more essentials like sugar, dhal and rice could follow. Iran War Fallout: Reporting highlights how the US-Israel-Iran standoff is worsening hardship for both rich and poor countries, with fuel and economic strain spreading beyond the battlefield. Crime and Local Control: Padukka is in the spotlight over alleged narcotics trade and extortion, while police remanded officers over a gold robbery case. Accountability in Cricket: Sri Lanka Cricket’s new interim leadership says financial irregularities are “far greater than feared,” ordering a forensic audit and promising reforms. Tax and Power Oversight: IRD says it has crossed Rs. one trillion in tax collection, and a subcommittee will probe Norochcholai’s environmental impact. Tea Sector Moves On: Sri Lanka launched a digital seed certification and traceability system, while the Tea Board marked International Tea Day with the Lanka Tea Walk.

Rupee Pressure Meets New Vehicle Tax: Sri Lanka’s rupee slid again, with the dollar selling rate reported above Rs. 354, while the government moved to curb imports by imposing a 50% surcharge on many vehicle categories—two-wheelers and three-wheelers exempt—sparking fresh questions about how the decision was timed and who may have benefited. Transport Glitch: A Kelani Valley Line e-ticket breakdown at several stations left passengers travelling without tickets during the morning rush, with Sri Lanka Railways saying repairs are underway. Vesak Energy Rules: Ahead of Vesak, authorities said fuel and electricity restrictions will be lifted for the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone, with plans to light the zone while using power more economically. Art Gallery Probe: Parliament heard that 42 ancient paintings are missing from the National Art Gallery, after a 2015 inventory showed a gap between recorded and actual items. Crime and Courts: Police arrested a suspect over a Seeduwa woman’s death found hidden in a suitcase, and also froze assets of a couple accused of drug trafficking. Business & Tech: SLT-Mobitel denied social media claims about its 5G rollout, while SLASSCOM’s Xcellerate accelerator said it is pushing more startups toward investment readiness. International: PM Harini Amarasuriya met the UK Foreign Secretary in London, discussing rebuilding support after Cyclone Ditwah and energy security.

Vehicle Import Row: Two NPP-linked firms opened LCs for 4,000 vehicles on May 15—just a day before a 50% surcharge—sparking a fresh Parliament clash. Easter Attacks Court Battle: In the 2019 Easter Sunday case, prosecutors told court that Mahinda, Basil and Namal Rajapaksa met “Pillayan” in Batticaloa prison and were told bail would be arranged within a week of Gotabaya’s presidency; former SIS chief Suresh Sallay was produced again as the AG alleges he was the mastermind. Digital Governance: The Ministry of Digital Economy says a Cabinet paper will be submitted this month to set up a National Data Exchange Centre, with citizen consent required for data transfers. Public Services: Batticaloa’s new public library opened with a children’s science/tech unit, while Kelani Valley Line services were adjusted and Cotta Road level crossing closed for renovation. Health Watch: Health authorities rolled out Ebola preparedness steps at airports and hospitals, and warned of rising high blood pressure cases. Economy & Markets: Rupee slid further to about Rs. 342 per dollar; bonds saw yield spikes and the CSE fell sharply on broad selling. Everyday Costs: Milk tea prices rose by Rs. 5, and a Hatton trader was fined for rice overpricing.

Cricket Spotlight: Rajasthan Royals’ 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 93 off 38 to power RR’s seven-wicket win over LSG, with coach Justin Langer calling him “breathtaking,” and the teen now earning India A call-up for Sri Lanka. Digital Governance: Sri Lanka and the UN discussed reforms to speed up digital public services, including the OneRegistry civil registration push, with a CRVS cabinet paper expected next week. Cost of Living Pressure: Imported milk powder prices rose today (Rs. 50 for 400g; Rs. 125 for 1kg), while exporters warn the weakening rupee is raising production costs. Transport Crackdown: DMT says 50% of inspected diesel vehicles are emitting black smoke; owners get 14 days to fix or face blacklisting. Parliament Tension: Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara refused to answer questions on filling Supreme Court and Appeal Court vacancies, sparking an uproar. Vesak Safety: Authorities ordered all dansalas to register with MOH offices and warned of strict action against unhygienic food stalls. Diplomacy & Defence: India’s Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh received a Guard of Honour in Sri Lanka and met defence officials.

IPL Play-offs Confirmed: Sunrisers Hyderabad sealed their place in the IPL play-offs with a nervy five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings, while Gujarat Titans also booked qualification as the race for the last spot tightens. Sri Lanka Cricket Governance: ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja held “cordial and constructive” talks with Sri Lanka Cricket’s new transformation committee after the government-installed overhaul, as the ICC weighs its response to earlier suspensions over alleged government interference. Parliament & Taxes: Parliament approved the Inland Revenue Amendment Bill with changes, aiming to simplify the tax system and tighten action against intentional tax evasion. War Heroes Unity Push: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the nation it will not be targeted again by extremist forces during the 17th National War Heroes Commemoration, amid a heated MP clash over war-hero recognition. Health & Global Recognition: Sri Lanka received WHO recognition for ending mother-to-child HIV and syphilis transmission as the WHO also highlighted childhood cancer survival beyond survival rates alone. Weather: The southwest monsoon is gradually establishing, with showers and strong winds expected in several provinces. Sports Talent: India’s Ajit Agarkar named 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the India A squad for a tri-series in Sri Lanka. Vehicle Plates: Vehicle number plate printing is set to begin by June 10 under a new DMT contract.

Death Sentence: Anuradhapura High Court has sentenced A.G.Milan Kumara (33) to death for stabbing W.Oshan Maduranga (22) in Habarana. Airport Drug Bust: Customs seized 14.562kg of Kush at BIA and arrested two passengers arriving from Bangkok, valued at about Rs. 141m. Parliament/Media Clash: MPs debated whether lawmakers should comment on media reports after a Daily Mirror story on the rupee sparked questions in the House. Currency Watch: The rupee slid further, with the dollar selling rate crossing Rs. 338. Justice Probe: Courts ordered banks and telecom firms to submit details in the Hemarathana Thera case, while Kapila Chandrasena’s death inquiry questioned missing witness statements and CCTV gaps. Forced Labour Push: A new inter-agency training workshop began to strengthen action against forced labour. Farm Relief: Farmers can claim up to Rs. 100,000 per hectare for Yala crop damage from heavy rains. Clean Energy Bid: Sri Lanka invited global investors for green hydrogen and green ammonia projects. War Heroes Commemoration: The 17th National War Heroes ceremony is set for today, with Tamil and Muslim families from the North and East expected to attend. Public Safety: Health experts warned waterborne disease risks as floodwaters recede.

War Heroes’ Day Tensions: Police say they will take legal action against former MP Wimal Weerawansa and a group of 35 who allegedly tried to obstruct the War Heroes’ Commemoration rehearsal at Battaramulla. Victory Day Politics: Manoj Gamage says Mahinda Rajapaksa has not received an invitation to the National Victory Day celebrations. Cricket Spotlight: In the IPL, Australia’s Cooper Connolly broke Sanath Jayasuriya’s debut-season six-hitting record, while Sunrisers Hyderabad booked IPL play-offs with a win over Chennai. Sri Lanka-India Tests: SLC proposes a two-Test India tour in August (Aug 15–27), after the Lanka Premier League ends on Aug 9, but details on the T20s remain unclear. Digital Push: The Foreign Ministry launched a revamped website and a common platform for Sri Lanka missions abroad. Safety Alerts: Police issued warnings on severe lightning and water-related accidents. Economy & Trade: Sri Lanka’s VAT amendments add a digital services tax from July 1, 2026, and a 50% vehicle import surcharge has a May 15 LC cut-off.

NDB Oversight Under Fire: CoPF concerns over an alleged Rs. 13.2bn NDB fraud are now forcing a bigger question—how such scale could slip past internal controls, audit committees, external audit and banking supervision for so long. Rupee Pressure Returns: The dollar is climbing again, pushing the rupee past Rs. 330 in some banks and raising fresh inflation and cost-of-living fears. Fuel Bill Spike: CPC’s oil import bill has surged past US$1bn in just four months, blamed on the Middle East war—adding strain to an already fragile economy. Medicines at Risk: NMRA licence renewals are stuck in the hundreds, delaying orders and threatening future shortages of essential drugs. Vehicle Costs Set to Jump: Importers warn the new 50% vehicle surcharge could lift prices by Rs. 1.5m–2.5m depending on the model. Health Crisis Looms: Sri Lanka has only four specialists for blood cancers and bone marrow transplants for an estimated 15,000–18,000 new cases a year. Governance Disruption: e-DAS document authentication services are suspended due to a technical failure. Regional Watch: India is closely tracking Sri Lanka’s Mattala airport investment push, with Mattala’s future now tied to wider strategic competition.

Cybercrime Crackdown: Sri Lanka is seeing a sharp rise in arrests of suspected foreign scammers, with police taking in over 1,000 foreigners since the start of the year—up from 430 in all of 2024—after networks pushed out of Cambodia and Myanmar reportedly shifted to Sri Lanka for easier visas and fast internet. Sports Spotlight: Sri Lanka’s Arunthavarasa Puvitharan set a new national men’s pole vault record, while school boxers Amodhya Jayarathna and Himaya Hettiarachchi won bronze at the Asian U-15/U-17 Boxing Championship in Tashkent. Rugby Glory: Sri Lanka swept the CASA 7s titles in Uzbekistan, winning both men’s and women’s finals. Governance & Justice: Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof says he will step down once a successor is named, and ICC officials met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake amid Sri Lanka Cricket reform talks. Public Safety: Police remanded two suspects over stolen railway track parts linked to the Wanawasala derailment, and three youths drowned at Victoria Reservoir in Teldeniya.

IMF Clock Starts: The IMF Executive Board will review Sri Lanka’s fifth and sixth Extended Fund Facility reviews on May 27, a decision that could unlock about US$700 million. Health Under Pressure: The Health Ministry received two plasma exchange machines worth over Rs. 50 million to boost treatment for leptospirosis and blood cancers, while the Deputy Health Minister ordered an urgent probe into medicine shortages and hospital supply gaps at Colombo National Hospital. Crime and Corruption: Police say stolen Wanawasala train parts were sold for just Rs. 3,000, and two suspects were arrested in Hatton over a Rs. 4 million telecom cable theft ring. Money Glitch: People’s Bank disclosed a remittance exchange-rate error that led to overpayments of nearly Rs. 656 million. Weather Watch: A weakening low-pressure system is bringing showers and thundershowers, with heavy rain impacts still reported and landslide warnings extended. Tobacco Push: Sri Lanka is weighing a generational tobacco ban modelled on the Maldives.

Vehicle Import Shock: Sri Lanka has imposed a sudden 50% surcharge on customs duty for imported vehicles for three months, with Letters of Credit opened on or before May 15 exempted—officials say it’s meant to protect fragile foreign exchange and calm forex panic. Rail Safety Probe: A train derailment near Wanawasala is under investigation after police said metal components were allegedly removed from a railway switch point, with 10 passengers reported injured. Port Investment Reset: Colombo Port’s planned mega logistics complex has been cancelled, and the Ports Authority is set to restart the bidding process for the port-adjacent land. Maldives Tragedy Spillover: Recovery efforts for five Italian divers in a Vaavu Atoll cave have been hit again after a Maldivian military diver died during the search; the operation was later suspended pending specialist divers. Regional Cricket Buzz: Pakistan were docked eight WTC points for a slow over rate in their Test loss to Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka’s Pathirana is reported dealing with a hamstring issue in IPL.

Emergency Tax Shock: Sri Lanka has slapped a sudden 50% surcharge on customs duties for imported vehicles for three months, aiming to curb car imports and ease foreign-exchange pressure. Courtroom Push: The Centre for Environmental Justice is back in the Supreme Court, asking that shopping-bag charges be routed into a government environmental fund instead of staying with private firms. Crime Crackdown: An Indian geologist was arrested at BIA with about Rs. 108 million worth of cocaine hidden in luggage. Transport Disruption: A train derailed between Wanawasala and Kelaniya, injuring two passengers and disrupting main-line services. Regional Security & Diplomacy: India’s INS Sunayna docked in Colombo for a three-day port call, with a joint exercise planned on departure. Disaster Watch: Maldives authorities are still dealing with the aftermath of a deadly cave-diving incident that killed five Italian divers.

Maldives Tragedy: Five Italians died in a cave-diving accident in Vaavu Atoll, with Maldivian authorities running a high-risk search for the remaining bodies after one was recovered; Italy says the divers were attempting cave exploration around 50 metres deep and the cause is still under investigation, while families question how anyone went below permitted depth. Digital Payments Push: Sri Lanka moves closer to cross-border digital finance as PayPal expands locally via partner banks (Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Sampath Bank), aiming to make trusted international payments easier for consumers and SMEs. EV Charging Expansion: ChargeUP signs up with Lanka IOC as its exclusive EV charging partner, rolling out chargers across LIOC fuel stations and premises. Energy Vigilance: PM Harini warns the energy crisis isn’t over, while appointing “Energy Managers” in government institutions to drive conservation ahead of Vesak. Business & Sports: CEAT opens a new SIS tyre facility; and in IPL 2026, RCB bring in Richard Gleeson for Nuwan Thushara after Sri Lanka Cricket denied an NOC.

Judicial Appointments Stalled: Sri Lanka’s legal fraternity is alarmed as Superior Court judge vacancies linger—eight posts remain unfilled in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and a Judicial Service Commission seat is also vacant—raising fears of delays, backlogs, and weakened judicial independence. Banking Fraud Spotlight: Fresh reporting keeps pointing to Sri Lanka’s banks at the centre of fraud allegations, with regulators and oversight under scrutiny as concerns about governance failures grow. Cross-Border Fraud Crackdown: Sri Lanka repatriated 125 telecom and online fraud suspects to China, underscoring how regional scam networks are shifting and how cooperation is tightening. Maldives Tragedy: Five Italian tourists died during a deep cave-diving incident in Vaavu Atoll; one body was recovered and the rest are believed trapped in the same cave system. Weather & Food Pressure: Heavy rain is driving minor flood risk in Kuda Ganga/Maguru Ganga valleys and may push vegetable prices higher. Economy Watch: Loan demand surged in March, while the IMF is set to review Sri Lanka’s staff agreement in coming weeks. Transport Update: Lanka Metro Transit added new bus stops on Makumbura–Colombo Fort and Makumbura–Kadawatha routes.