Budget Watch: Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry has started preparations for the 2027 Budget, aiming for economic growth above 7%, with priority on foreign investment, faster infrastructure and support for low-income livelihoods. Tax Cooperation: A revised India–Sri Lanka double taxation protocol has come into effect, tightening anti-avoidance rules including a principal purpose test to curb treaty shopping. Customs & Drugs: Sri Lanka Customs arrested a 23-year-old Malaysian at BIA after seizing about Rs. 90.8m worth of cocaine, and also nabbed an Angolan woman with Rs. 10m cocaine concealed in her body. Port Reality Check: Despite its strategic location, Sri Lanka still functions mainly as a transshipment hub, with delays and stalled projects like the East Container Terminal deal holding back a true maritime/logistics transformation. Health & Mosquito Control: Dengue remains a major concern, with reports of dengue deaths rising and thousands of cases linked to mosquito breeding sites. Cricket & LPL Integrity: Sri Lanka’s LPL faces fresh scrutiny after match-fixing allegations and arrests involving franchise owners, while SLC and rights holders say they will act against corruption. Education Push: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said vocational education will get greater priority in the 2027 Budget, backed by increased funding and enrolment across training institutions.