AGP Executive Report

Dengue Update: Health experts in Sri Lanka have rejected Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s claims linking the dengue surge to a “new strain,” saying no lab has found one and pointing instead to the dominance of dengue serotype 2 (DENV-2). Elder Allowance Fix: A fast-track NIC programme has been launched for elderly low-income citizens who lost the Rs. 5,000 allowance because they lacked a National Identity Card, aiming to restore payments quickly. Poson Safety: Vavuniya PHIs seized 580 litres of fake bee honey made from sugar and beehive pieces, warning pilgrims to be cautious and initiating legal action. Public Health Services: The government is upgrading island healthcare, with special attention on Delft and Analaitivu hospitals after a ministerial inspection, focusing on medicines, staffing, equipment and emergency transport. Crime & Enforcement: Airport police arrested five suspects at BIA for smuggling hashish and kush worth about Rs. 72.2 million, while separate raids also led to arrests over narcotics. Road Safety for Poson: Police say reckless drivers will face direct legal action, with thousands of officers deployed islandwide. Weather: Met forecasts heavy showers and strong winds in several provinces, urging lightning precautions.

Education Reform Rollout: Sri Lanka’s Education Ministry says it’s fully ready to implement Grade 6 reforms from next year, with committees overseeing the process and revised learning modules already being printed and distributed, supported by the National Institute of Education and the National Education Commission. Judicial Digital Push: The Supreme Court held a fully digital, paperless Attorneys-at-Law oath ceremony, enrolling 735 lawyers through electronic signatures with LankaSign support. Road Safety Crackdown: Police instructed traffic officers to take direct legal action against reckless drivers, citing 1,357 deaths from 1,292 fatal accidents since January 1, with speed and negligent driving flagged as key causes. Health & Sports: Sri Lanka’s Women’s T20 World Cup campaign ended after net run rate ruled them out, while in cricket West Indies took control of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka in Antigua, with Amir Jangoo’s double-century and Roston Chase’s 194.

Judicial Independence Under Pressure: LAWASIA has urged Sri Lanka to halt proposed constitutional changes that would raise the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, warning it could weaken judicial independence and public confidence. Health System Strain: The Health Professionals’ Association says nearly 1,000 cancer patients face radiotherapy delays after a CT simulation machine has remained unusable due to a roof water leak, making proper treatment planning “practically impossible.” Public Services & Governance: The Environment Ministry launched an official WhatsApp hotline for citizens to report environmental violations and degradation, aiming for faster responses. Road Safety: Police say an SLTB bus accident near Diyatalawa Railway Station was caused by brake failure, injuring 44 people. Economy & Trade: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government wants to build an export-oriented manufacturing economy, targeting a combined US$3 billion from coconut and food/beverage exports within two years. Disaster Support: UN plans an additional US$10 million for disaster management in Sri Lanka. Sports (Women’s Cricket): Sri Lanka kept their Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a three-wicket win over Scotland, chasing 152 with Nilakshi de Silva’s unbeaten 21. Tax Administration: More than 12 million people have been issued TIN numbers so far, with about five million still awaiting issuance.

Women’s Cricket: Sri Lanka kept their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a nail-biting three-wicket win over Scotland at Old Trafford, chasing 152 after a late wobble; Chamari Athapaththu struck 33 off 16, and Sugandika Kumari hit the winning boundary with one ball to spare, but Sri Lanka now need other results to go their way. Sports Governance: Sri Lanka Cricket’s Transformation Committee says a new constitution is nearing completion and will be sent to Parliament for approval, aiming to modernise governance while staying aligned with ICC rules. Fuel Policy: Sri Lanka’s fuel price relief is constrained by long-term term tenders, with officials saying prices can’t be adjusted quickly even as global oil prices soften. Anti-Corruption/Legal: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka clarified it did not authorise any lawyer to make representations for arrested attorney Rakitha Rajapakshe in court proceedings. Economy/Finance: IFC is backing New Anthoney’s Farms Group with up to $10m to expand antibiotic-free poultry production, create jobs, and boost poultry exports.

Energy & Grid Stability: ADB approved a $57.4m rooftop solar aggregation and virtual net metering project, with 25MWp of rooftop capacity and digital grid upgrades to cut costs for eligible users. Power Controls: During Poson (June 27–29), owners of large rooftop solar systems (300kW+) must disconnect in daytime to prevent grid instability. Solar Monitoring: Parliament heard the government plans to control solar systems by next year by fixing 2,000 modems to temporarily shut down systems. Transport: SLTB will add 600 buses by December (200 luxury expressway coaches, 400 standard buses), with 104 metro buses arriving by August 15; bus fares are set to rise from July 1. Economy Talks: An IMF delegation meets Sri Lanka officials today ahead of the seventh programme review, including discussions with Customs on reform progress. Corruption & Fraud: President Anura Dissanayake said Sri Lanka lost up to $1bn due to fraudulent rupee transfers linked to banks, with more arrests promised. Crime & Justice: Colombo High Court recalled BBS leader Gnanasara Thera’s Islam-insult case for a July 31 preliminary trial conference. Anti-Drug Drive: Drug use is rising among school and university students, with authorities reporting large seizures and arrests. Road Safety: At least 40 people were injured in a head-on bus crash on the Matara–Talalla road. Public Health: Water supply to several Colombo suburbs is expected to be fully restored tonight after pressure levels return. Regional Diplomacy: SAARC chief urged member states to rebuild regional unity and cooperation.

Test Cricket: Dhananjaya de Silva struck 120 to rescue Sri Lanka after early trouble, steering them to 308 all out on Day 1 of the Antigua Test against West Indies; West Indies’ fast bowlers struck early, but de Silva’s recovery built key stands with Chandimal and Dinusha. Governance in the North: A governor’s extraordinary moves have removed elected council leaders in Chavakachcheri and Vavuniya, raising fresh alarms about power-sharing and the 13th Amendment. Economy & Costs: Trade and retail officials say they want tighter collaboration with retailers and better compliance, while opposition voices push back on Parliament talk of arrests and urge focus on cost of living. Land Administration: Government plans to complete a nationwide digital land information system this year to speed up deeds, titles and investment-related land identification. Public Health: Dengue is straining hospitals, with reports of around 700 patients a day and a sharp rise in weekly cases. Markets & Finance: CDS will restrict transactions on dormant accounts after three years, with reactivation possible via updated KYC. Business & Mobility: CDB and Hayleys Mobility, plus Seylan Bank’s EV Motor Show partnership, signal continued push for vehicle financing and electric mobility. Wildlife Crime: Two men were fined Rs. 450,000 each for trying to sell protected wildlife parts.

CIABOC Bribery Probe: Attorney Rakitha Rajapaksa and SJB Horana organiser Charith Abeysinghe were arrested by CIABOC over an alleged Rs. 200m bribe linked to “Harak Kata,” with a leaked audio now circulating online but not independently verified. Court Moves Digital: The Court of Appeal accepted its first-ever e-filing case, granting an interim stay in a writ matter filed electronically. Parliament & Rights: Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne reaffirmed Parliament’s support for the National Commission on Women, stressing independence and resources. Health & Infrastructure: Four new cath lab units are set to be installed in state hospitals, starting with Jaffna Teaching Hospital, as Sri Lanka expands cardiac care. Public Safety: A bus driver died after a sudden medical emergency caused a crash in Wellampitiya; a wild jumbo also died during a rescue attempt after falling into a narrow well in Thanamalwila. Economy & Tax: The Inland Revenue Amendment Act clarifies key tax rules, including limits on large cash payments and changes to how vehicle sale gains are treated. Disaster Accountability: A deputy minister said there’s a scandal behind Ditwah relief claims, with some people allegedly settling in vulnerable areas before the cyclone hit. Olympic Day: Sri Lanka marked Olympic Day in Colombo with an Olympic torch walk led by Olympian Susanthika Jayasinghe.

Dengue Emergency: Sri Lanka has deployed the military to fight a surging dengue outbreak, as daily case numbers climb toward 50,000 and hospitals struggle with overcrowding. Parliament & Environment: The National Environment (Amendment) Bill cleared its second reading in Parliament, but opposition MPs walked out over provincial council provisions. Public Health Milestone: Asiri Central Hospital carried out Sri Lanka’s first liver transplant, a major step for advanced care. Healthcare Access: Lanka Hospitals launched “Hope,” the country’s first private-sector haematology day unit for same-day treatment of blood cancers. Economy & Trade: Sri Lanka approved steps for railway electrification and is pushing reforms to support investment and exports. Security & Crime: The government reported over Rs. 200 billion in narcotics recovered since early 2025, with allegations of trafficking involving court-held samples. Sports (SL-linked): Sri Lanka’s women’s T20 campaign continues amid World Cup heat and qualification pressure, while cricket coverage also highlights Sri Lanka’s ongoing role in regional series and tours.

Parliament & Governance: COPF and COPE are at odds over sharing a Parliament committee room, with COPF saying its work has stalled because COPE wants the room from Tuesday to Friday. Tax & Business: The NPP government dropped a planned VAT reform that would have cut the VAT/SSCL registration threshold from Rs. 60m to Rs. 36m, citing political and social pressures. Environment Law: The National Environment Amendment Bill was presented to Parliament, but the Opposition says it’s unconstitutional under the 13th Amendment and challenges central action against local bodies. Public Health: Dengue keeps surging, with cases rising to 48,287 and a three-day mosquito control drive starting in 112 high-risk MOH divisions. Transport Safety: Seatbelt enforcement on expressways is underway, with about 400 people fined so far. Tourism: Sri Lanka welcomed 1.1 million tourists in the first six months of 2026, led by India. Crime & Security: Customs seized 35.265kg of hashish from a Canadian passenger at BIA; police also arrested suspects in a Teldeniya murder case and a counterfeit dollar scam. Housing: Work on 50,000 previously halted houses is set to restart immediately.

Women’s Cricket: Chamari Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 106 off 61 as Sri Lanka beat Ireland by nine wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup, keeping semi-final hopes alive ahead of a must-win against Scotland. Dengue Emergency: Sri Lanka has deployed the military to help dengue-control operations as daily hospital admissions top 1,000, with plans for a tri-forces monitoring unit and intensified mosquito-breeding cleanup. Defence & US Ties: Ten US-donated TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters were handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force, boosting training and disaster-response capacity. Port City Colombo: Colombo Port City secured $600m in new investment via 71 strategic businesses in 1H2026, with Home Lands expanding its Central Park District footprint. Economy & IMF: IMF Resident Representative Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael said the Middle East war remains a major external shock, while Sri Lanka is in a stronger position than four years ago. Transport Safety: A surprise drug screening at Maharagama found 13 bus drivers and conductors positive for narcotics. Diplomacy: Canada’s High Commission relocated its chancery in Colombo 7, with appointments and correspondence moving to the new address from June 24.

Sri Lanka–US ties: US Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur met Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, with discussions on trade, investment and security, as Herath thanked Washington for fuel support and defence cooperation including maritime and air assets for Sri Lanka’s forces. Dengue emergency: Sri Lanka reported 1,069 new dengue cases in 24 hours, pushing totals to 47,179 this year, with 112 MOH divisions flagged high-risk; the military is being deployed to find and destroy mosquito breeding sites as hospitals face over 1,000 admissions daily. Government moves: Cabinet approved removing the extra “appropriate mark” in voter verification, relying on indelible ink only, and also backed measures to curb illegal land grabbing and coastal violations in the Eastern Province. Education access: A new Cabinet-approved circular sets Grade 1 admissions guidelines from 2027, aiming for transparency and fewer irregularities. Trade pressure: Joint Opposition warned Sri Lanka could lose EU GSP+ over slow PTA reform progress. Sports (regional): India called up Suryansh Shedge for Ireland/England T20Is after Nitish Kumar Reddy’s quadriceps injury.

US-Sri Lanka Maritime Boost: The US has provided the Sri Lanka Navy a Fleet Broadband satellite communications system worth about $4 million (over Rs. 1.2 billion), to strengthen secure ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore links across key Indian Ocean routes. Diplomatic Talks: US Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with both sides highlighting wider cooperation on trade, defence, investment and regional stability. Court Watch: Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court granted leave for a case challenging Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala’s parliamentary eligibility, but rejected an interim order to stop him voting. Inflation Pressure: May inflation rose to 5.4% (from 4.7% in April), driven mainly by faster non-food price growth. Health & Safety: Sri Lanka launched Healthy School Canteen Guidelines banning several unhealthy food categories, while a national dengue control drive begins June 24-26 amid a sharp rise in cases. Sports: Sri Lanka Women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu admitted captaincy failure after the team’s Women’s T20 World Cup exit, and the next must-win matches loom.

Dengue Crisis: Sri Lanka reported 1,069 dengue cases in the past 24 hours, taking the yearly total to 47,179 with 28 deaths, as health authorities flag 112 high-risk MOH divisions and intensify mosquito control. Public Health Safety: The Medical Supplies Division ordered hospitals to immediately withdraw substandard medical devices, including colostomy bags and angiogram catheters, after defects and patient-safety concerns were raised. Crime & Drugs: Police seized “ice” worth over Rs. 60 million in Kotahena and arrested a suspect; in Negombo, two people were detained with hashish, ICE and heroin after an online-linked drug operation. Fraud Warning: Police warned women nationwide about rising social media romance scams and other online deception, including cases involving drugging victims. Economy & Trade: The rupee edged down to Rs. 339 per US dollar; CPC also registered Russian state firms to bid for fuel tenders, while the government said it will keep a Rs. 57 billion fuel subsidy allocation for now. Governance & Cricket: The ICC asked President AKD to hold SLC elections by July 31 or face blacklisting; meanwhile, the President’s Media Division denied claims of ICC election ultimatums. Road Tragedy: A fatal multi-vehicle crash in Kegalle killed one and injured more than a dozen.

Tri-series shock in Dambulla: India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs, powered by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 29-ball 94 and the fastest List A fifty ever (11 balls), after a tense week that included talk of fines and a prior on-field clash. Women’s World Cup in Bristol: West Indies stayed unbeaten with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka, as Hayley Matthews took three early wickets and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 98. Security and rights: Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay’s wife has asked for state protection, alleging CID surveillance and intimidation of her and her children, after claims including a strip search during detention. Public health pressure: Dengue keeps climbing, with 681 new cases in 24 hours and 46,037 reported so far this year; high-risk MOH areas and hospital capacity strain are worsening. Trade and investment: Export Development Board says exports rose 6% in the first four months despite Middle East conflict pressures. Local development: Plate it Forward and Dilmah-backed Harvest² will expand rural school food security in Batticaloa, linking small farmers to daily meal programmes.

Women’s T20 World Cup (Bristol): West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first against Sri Lanka in a Group B match with a semi-final spot at stake, with Sri Lanka aiming to level points after their recent upset win over New Zealand; Sports (Dambulla): India A’s 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the spotlight in the tri-series final, smashing a record-fast 11-ball List A fifty and finishing with 94 off 29 as India A posted 377/9 against Sri Lanka A; Crime & Justice: Sri Lanka Police warned the public about social media romance scams, urging caution after reports of victims being tricked into handing over money and valuables; Financial Crime: FCID arrested an alleged mastermind behind a Rs. 21 billion illegal dollar transfer and money-laundering network; Road Safety: Police fined 332 drivers for not wearing seatbelts on expressways, with a three-month grace period for older vehicles; Education: The Ministry of Education confirmed the 2026 G.C.E. A/L exam will not be postponed, starting 10 August; Health: 11 advanced CT scanners worth Rs. 1.95 billion are being rolled out to hospitals, while 17.4% of students aged 13–17 are reported to be addicted to sugary drinks; Economy: An IMF staff mission will visit Sri Lanka from June 24–30 to review the reform programme.

Women’s T20 World Cup: Bangladesh stunned Pakistan with a 23-run comeback win, powered by spinners Nahida Akter and Sanjida Akter Meghla (three wickets each), knocking Pakistan out with two games left. Road Safety: Sri Lanka’s seat belt rules are now mandatory on expressways, with a final three-month grace period for older vehicles that lacked factory-fitted belts. Public Health: Dengue risk is rising fast, with 112 MOH divisions flagged and over 45,000 cases reported this year as hospitals near capacity. Crime & Justice: Police arrested a man in Meetiyagoda after a raid recovered more than 1kg of ICE and 750g of heroin; he is due to be produced in court. Local Incidents: A body was found near Weliwita Bridge in Kaduwela; identity and cause of death are under investigation. Sports (Sri Lanka-linked): England beat Scotland in the Women’s T20 World Cup at Headingley as Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Ecclestone starred.