AGP Executive Report

Dengue Emergency: Sri Lanka’s military has been deployed to help curb a fast-growing dengue outbreak, as cases surge and hospitals struggle with overcrowding. Currency Watch: The rupee slid further against the US dollar, with the selling rate crossing the Rs. 340 mark, adding pressure to an already fragile economy. Remittances Blocked: About $6.9 million sent by Sri Lankan workers in Israel has been suspended after legal action involving remittance firm Global Remit, affecting around 5,100 workers. Tax U-turn: The government shelved a VAT reform that would have lowered the VAT registration threshold, citing political and social pressures. Land & Coast Control: Cabinet approved a special committee to tackle illegal land acquisitions and unauthorised coastal developments in the Eastern Province. Justice & Memory: A mass grave near Jaffna is expanding, with 405 skeletal remains exhumed so far, raising calls for full public disclosure and stronger forensic work. Tourism Update: Tourist arrivals have topped 1.1 million for the year to date, with India leading arrivals. Cricket Spotlight: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking India A form continues to dominate headlines ahead of the Ireland and England T20Is.

Dengue Fight: Sri Lanka has launched a three-day islandwide dengue control drive targeting 600 high-risk Grama Niladhari divisions, as cases near 50,000 and deaths rise, with officials urging residents to remove stagnant water and join clean-up efforts. Parliament & Judiciary: Parliament saw disruption after the Government rejected an Opposition request for a debate on judicial vacancies and proposed changes to judges’ retirement age, with Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara saying any reforms will be lawful and constitutional. Health & Schools: The Ministry is considering penalties for school canteens that break new healthy food guidelines, while Sri Lanka has also started enforcing a ban on fast food and sweets in schools. Environment Law: The amended National Environmental Act is set for final reading and vote in Parliament, marking the first major overhaul in decades. Customs Crackdown: A Canadian nursing student was arrested at BIA for allegedly smuggling about Rs. 350 million worth of hashish. IMF Payments: An IMF-linked update says a cyber theft at Sri Lanka’s Public Debt Management Office led to delayed external payment clearance to Australia, with authorities seeking a waiver and promising corrective steps. Transport Upgrade: Cabinet approved steps to electrify key railway corridors and begin procurement for a new aeronautical message system for aviation communications. Sports Spotlight: Chamari Athapaththu bounced back with a match-winning century against Ireland, while Sri Lanka’s dengue surge and school health rules dominated the day’s policy headlines.

Dengue Emergency: Sri Lanka has deployed the military to back dengue-control efforts as hospitals report over 1,000 admissions a day, with the President’s office saying armed forces will help identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites and strengthen community prevention and enforcement. US-Sri Lanka Defence Links: The US handed over 10 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force, while a separate US delivery of a USD 4 million Fleet Broadband satellite system will boost secure naval communications across offshore patrol vessels. Aviation Security: Sri Lanka took over the CASP-AP chairmanship for 2026–2027, aiming to raise standards and knowledge-sharing on aviation security across the Asia-Pacific. Education Access: Cabinet approved revised Grade One admissions procedures from next year to improve fairness and transparency and reduce irregularities. Economy & Markets: Secondary bond yields were broadly steady with subdued trading; the USD/LKR spot rate closed around Rs. 334.45–334.75. Public Transport Safety: A surprise drug screening in Maharagama found 13 bus drivers and conductors positive out of 200 tested. Business & Trade: People’s Bank launched its 125th cheque deposit kiosk at the Mid City branch, continuing its push for digital banking convenience.

Dengue Surge: Sri Lanka reported 1,069 new dengue cases in 24 hours, pushing the yearly total to 47,179, with 112 MOH divisions flagged as high-risk and Maharagama still the worst hotspot. GSP+ Warning: Opposition figures warn Sri Lanka could lose EU GSP+ trade benefits over slow PTA reform progress, with EU diplomats reportedly stressing PTA changes tied to international convention compliance. Cricket Governance Row: The President’s Media Division and Sri Lanka Cricket both denied claims that ICC Chairman Jay Shah threatened to blacklist SLC or demand elections. Military Intelligence Shake-up: A new Military Intelligence director appointment has sparked allegations of political influence, including claims the officer lacks key intelligence qualifications. Digital Payments Push: SLT-Mobitel mCash integrated GovPay to let citizens pay over 4,000 government services (including traffic fines) via mobile, even for real-time payments. Disaster Preparedness: Sri Lanka plans a nationwide early warning system with India’s help to send emergency alerts to phones even without active internet. SEC Crackdown: The SEC says it secured record enforcement recoveries in 2025, including a Rs. 188.1m settlement for market rigging. Power Sector: NSO says forced renewable shutdowns should end next year as BESS projects come online. Sports Spotlight: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole headlines with a record 11-ball List A fifty and a 29-ball 94 in India A’s tri-series win over Sri Lanka A.

US-Sri Lanka Maritime Boost: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur visited SLNS Gajabahu at Port of Colombo and announced a US$4m Fleet Broadband satellite communications system for the Sri Lanka Navy, to strengthen secure ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore links across the Indian Ocean. Court Watch: Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama fixed October 17 for judgment in the Pushpika de Silva crown-removal case, after evidence was concluded; suspects include former Mrs. World Caroline Jurie and designer Chula Padmendra. Dengue Fight: Sri Lanka reported 1,069 dengue cases in 24 hours, taking the yearly total to 47,179 with 28 deaths; authorities also plan a 3-day national dengue control program from June 24-26. Health Policy: New “Healthy School Canteen Guidelines” ban several unhealthy food categories in school canteens to tackle rising child nutrition risks. Economy & Markets: Inflation rose to 5.4% in May; the rupee edged down to about Rs. 339 per US dollar, while shares fell as IT and energy stocks dragged the CSE All-Share index. Sports (Women’s T20 World Cup): Chamari Athapaththu said she failed as captain after Sri Lanka’s loss to West Indies, with must-win games ahead.

U.S.-Sri Lanka Security Talks: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur arrived in Colombo for a three-day visit to discuss trade, investment, and security cooperation. U.S. Air Force Engagement: PACAF Commander Gen. Kevin Schneider also arrived for talks on air and maritime awareness, cybersecurity, disaster response, and regional stability. Fuel Procurement & Subsidy Pressure: CPC has registered two Russian state firms for future fuel tenders, while Sri Lanka’s fuel subsidy allocation is Rs. 57 billion with no decision yet on further funding. Public Health Alert: Doctors’ union warns garbage near the Ministry of Health is piling up and could trigger dengue mosquito breeding; authorities are urged to clear waste fast. Money Laundering Probe: Financial Investigation Division detained Jeffry Mohamed over an alleged Rs. 210 billion illegal overseas transfer network tied to importers and tax/customs losses. Economy & Markets: IMF staff visit set for June 24–30 to review reforms; CSE rebalances ASPI from today. Trade & Growth: Exports rose 6% in the first four months; tourism earnings fell 11.9% despite higher remittances. Sports (Women’s T20 World Cup): Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu called herself a “failure” after a collapse to 98 vs West Indies; West Indies chased 99 to stay on track.

Tri-Series Cricket: India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs in the tri-series final at Dambulla, with teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashing 94 off 29 balls and hitting the fastest List A fifty (11 balls) to power India A to 377/9 before Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 311. Women’s T20 World Cup: In Bristol, West Indies Women chased 99 to beat Sri Lanka Women by five wickets, with Hayley Matthews taking 3/15 as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 98; the win keeps West Indies on track for the semi-finals. Local Courts & Policing: In Lunuwila, two youths have filed a Fundamental Rights petition alleging they were unlawfully arrested and falsely implicated in a heroin case, claiming they were remanded for over two months. Energy Safety Watch: A forum in Sri Lanka flags safety risks as rooftop solar and battery storage expand, warning that rapid adoption may outpace safeguards.

IMF Mission: The IMF will send a staff team to Sri Lanka from June 24–30 to review economic developments and progress on the reform programme. Money Laundering Probe: Police say a mastermind behind a scheme allegedly moved over Rs. 21 billion out of Sri Lanka via “import” remittances, with investigators pointing to A.Y. Investments and suspect Jeffry Mohamed. Fraud Alert: Police issued a warning on romance scams and social-media fraud, urging people—especially women—to avoid handing over money or valuables to online “partners.” Court Watch: The Court of Appeal dismissed Daya Group’s petition against People’s Bank’s auction of mortgaged properties under Parate Law, ordering Rs. 1 million in legal costs. Trade & Economy: Sri Lanka unveiled a National Export Development Plan targeting $36b exports by 2030, while new rules tighten real-time reporting of import-related foreign payments to Customs after alleged bogus remittances. Cricket (A-team): India A and Sri Lanka A set for the tri-series final at Dambulla, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi again in the spotlight after his record-breaking 11-ball List A fifty. Sports (Women’s T20): West Indies Women face Sri Lanka Women in Bristol as both chase semi-final momentum.

Road Safety: Sri Lanka’s seat belt law moves from grace period to strict enforcement today (20 June), with drivers and front-seat passengers required to wear belts on normal roads, and all vehicle occupants on expressways also covered. Poson Security: Police have rolled out an island-wide security and traffic plan for Poson (full moon day on 29 June), including day-and-night patrols, traffic management, and action against illegal activities. Cricket—SLC Governance: ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia met Sri Lanka Cricket officials in Colombo to discuss governance reforms, constitutional changes, and restoring elected administration. Cricket—Women’s T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka face West Indies in a key Group 2 match in Bristol as the semi-final race tightens. Cricket—India vs Afghanistan (ODI): India sealed a 3-0 clean sweep over Afghanistan at Chepauk, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century and Rohit Sharma’s 79; Prasidh Krishna also took a five-wicket haul. Local Crime: Police say four teams are investigating the Weligama physiotherapist death, with a main suspect linked to alleged fraud cases. Sports—Neeraj Chopra: Javelin star Neeraj Chopra returns with a fourth-place finish in Doha, securing Commonwealth Games qualification.

Customs Crackdown: Sri Lanka Customs arrested a 24-year-old Dominican at BIA for allegedly smuggling 37.675kg of hashish, worth over Rs. 375 million, and seized the drugs during the operation. Sports—Javelin: Neeraj Chopra returned from injury to finish fourth at the Doha Diamond League with a season-best 85.69m, booking his Commonwealth Games spot; Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won with 88.68m. Women’s T20 World Cup (Bristol): The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off in Bristol this weekend with Sri Lanka set to play Ireland on June 23 and West Indies on June 21, as tickets near 200,000. Local Cricket (Warm-up): In a rain-hit warm-up in Antigua, Dinesh Chandimal’s unbeaten 54 helped Sri Lanka reach 173/4 in reply to West Indies Select XI’s 205. Economy: Sri Lanka’s GDP grew 5.1% in 1Q 2026, up from 4.8% in 4Q 2025, with services and industry leading. Governance & Finance: UNDP and the Central Bank renewed a financial literacy push under the National Financial Literacy Roadmap.

ICC Cricket Governance: ICC chairman Jay Shah met Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo, discussing grassroots and youth development, emerging-player pathways, and cricket’s social impact—while also keeping a close eye on Sri Lanka Cricket’s interim committee and calls for elections. Import Monitoring Overhaul: Sri Lanka announced a tighter import payment system where banks generate a unique transaction reference number and submit it to Customs, aiming to track foreign currency flows and boost transparency. Anti-Corruption Case: The Bribery Commission filed indictments in the Colombo High Court against former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and two others over an alleged Rs. 8.8 million compensation irregularity linked to Aragalaya-era damage. Customs Drug Bust: Sri Lanka Customs seized “Kush” worth about Rs. 75 million at BIA from a Bangkok-arrival suspect, with 7.5kg found in 12 parcels. Dengue Surge: Dengue cases hit 44,480 with 28 deaths this year, with the western region hardest hit and officials warning hospitals could face strain if numbers keep rising. Sports Spotlight: Neeraj Chopra returns from injury at the Doha Diamond League, facing Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage, the current world leader after a 92.62m throw. Local Economy Watch: The rupee strengthened further against the US dollar, with the selling rate reported at Rs. 338.

Mass Grave Scrutiny: Excavations at Chemmani are expanding, with Tamil leaders demanding answers as fears grow it could become Sri Lanka’s largest mass grave and renewed questions swirl around accountability and victim identification. Health Alert: The Medical Supplies Division has ordered hospitals nationwide to withdraw three “inferior” cardiac stent types and isolate remaining stocks after NMRA safety concerns. Dengue Pressure: Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa warns rising dengue cases could overwhelm hospitals unless mosquito breeding sites are destroyed. Foreign Exchange Rules: Sri Lanka tightens monitoring of import-related FX remittances, requiring banks to use unique transaction IDs and share detailed importer data with Customs, plus new importer registration for advance payments. Trade Costs: A new Customs fee framework from 1 July 2026 is set to raise charges for exporters and importers, sparking concern across logistics and trade sectors. Economy & Spending: The President’s Media Division says a review flagged slow progress on 2026 capital projects, with only a small share of allocated spending used so far. Tourism & Connectivity: FitsAir launches direct Ahmedabad–Colombo flights, cutting travel time and boosting people-to-people links; tourism stakeholders expect more arrivals from Gujarat. Transport Upgrade: 104 FOTON Metro buses were handed over to Sri Lanka to improve urban public transport. Air Force Incident: A Board of Inquiry was set up after a Kalpitiya bomb disposal exercise confrontation involving Air Force personnel and a police officer. Fuel Pricing Row: Patali Ranawaka challenges fuel pricing claims, urging transparency in the pricing formula and questioning why reductions aren’t applied.

International Police Cooperation: Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says police will seek Interpol “Blue” or “Red” notices to bring back former ministers and overseas underworld figures with court arrest warrants. Public Health & Accountability: Health officials warn dengue could overwhelm hospitals if cases keep rising, urging communities to destroy mosquito breeding sites; meanwhile SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa criticises local authorities for delayed fumigation and blames weak coordination and political interference. Road Safety: Police report 1,297 road deaths between Jan 1 and June 16, with pedestrians and motorcyclists making up most fatalities. Law & Order: Police have launched an investigation into a Kalpitiya coastal standoff between police officers and Sri Lanka Air Force personnel during a raid over suspected sea-borne smuggling. Education Quality: Parents are urged to enrol children only in government-registered preschools, with checks on teacher qualifications and separate registration for attached daycare. Sports (Sri Lanka-linked): Sri Lanka’s tourism wins four awards at South Korea’s SITF 2026, while cricket coverage highlights West Indies’ T20 series win over Sri Lanka and ongoing attention on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India tour arrangements.

Maritime Safety: A U.S. court charged the chief engineer of the Dali cargo ship over the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, alleging he failed to alert the Coast Guard about hazardous conditions. Local Courts & Corruption: Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered CID to arrest former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa over alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8m from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, while Rumy Jauffer was released on bail with strict conditions. Navy Probe Update: Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested by the Bribery Commission over alleged irregular Navy recruitment and state-funded training, then later released on bail with foreign travel restrictions. Weather Watch: Sri Lanka’s Meteorology Department warned of strong winds and rough seas, with thundershowers expected in parts of the west and south coast. Sports Spotlight: Javelin star Rumesh Pathirage won gold at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet with an 86.57m throw. Women’s Cricket: Sri Lanka stunned New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup with a last-over chase to dent the defending champions’ title hopes. Health & Society: A fresh push for Sri Lanka’s maternity laws highlights gaps for working women, including access to subfertility treatment.

Economy Watch: Sri Lanka’s economy is “moving as planned,” says Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, pointing to 5.1% Q1 2026 growth and stressing the 7% target is medium-term. Anti-Corruption: CIABOC arrested Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, over alleged irregularities tied to his Navy recruitment and state-funded training; he was later granted bail with a travel ban. Health Alert: Doctors warn DVT is emerging as a “silent killer” among young people due to sedentary lifestyles and long hours sitting. Fuel Prices: Govt says there’s no room to cut fuel prices yet because current stocks were bought at higher rates; relief may come only after cheaper imports arrive. Customs Crackdown: Customs seized Rs. 250m worth of allegedly fraudulently cleared goods including cigarettes and spices, with investigations underway. Sports (Women’s Cricket): White Ferns’ title defence is in trouble after a second straight loss to Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup. Sports (Local-linked): India A booked the tri-series final after a 101-run win over Afghanistan A in Dambulla.

Maritime Safety: Sri Lanka’s Meteorology Department warned multi-day fishing vessels to expect rough seas and strong south-westerly winds over the next 24 hours, with gusts reaching 50–60 kmph in several coastal stretches. Women’s Cricket: Sri Lanka pulled off a major Women’s T20 World Cup upset, stunning defending champions New Zealand by five wickets as Nilakshika Silva made 54* and Kaushini Nuthyangana supported the chase. Export Push: The Central Bank backed an export-led recovery, unveiling the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 aimed at lifting export earnings to US$36bn by 2030 and tackling competitiveness barriers. Dengue Drive: Health authorities launched a nationwide dengue prevention push after warnings of a new virus strain, with hospitals under pressure as cases rise. Migrant Workers Support: Sri Lanka launched the “LankaKonect” app to help migrant workers submit complaints, track cases, and access support services worldwide. Public Service Tech: Police introduced a QR code-based community feedback portal to improve complaints and service delivery at police stations. Road Safety: Ahead of stricter seat-belt enforcement from June 20, a racing driver urged all passengers to buckle up every trip. Defence Aid: India donated military equipment and a trauma care system worth over US$5m to the Sri Lanka Army. Investment Climate: Indonesia’s envoy said Sri Lanka’s investment rules must be transparent and private-sector friendly to attract more investors.