AGP Executive Report

El Niño & monsoon risk: Sri Lanka is bracing for El Niño impacts later in 2026, but officials say severe effects are unlikely; the southwest monsoon continues until September, with heavy showers possible in July–August and rainfall easing in the inter-monsoon. Climate preparedness: The President chaired meetings to review readiness for El Niño as drought, heat and food-water-energy disruptions remain key worries after Cyclone Ditwah. Floods, dengue & health: Monsoon rains are already driving swollen rivers, landslide alerts and dengue risk as stagnant water breeds mosquitoes, with communities in vulnerable areas urged to stay alert. Fisheries cold-chain boost: Japan handed over six refrigerated trucks and three ice-making machines to Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector, aiming to cut post-harvest losses (estimated up to 40%) by improving transport from the north/east to Colombo. Wildlife & conservation: A study values wild Sri Lankan elephants’ tourism-linked economic contribution across Yala, Minneriya-Kaudulla and Uda Walawe, highlighting conservation’s role beyond ecology. Waste reality check: A feature challenges “Clean Sri Lanka” branding by pointing to littered verges, informal dumps, plastic-clogged canals and open burning. Wildlife crime: Authorities in the Philippines seized live Indian star tortoises linked to Sri Lanka, underscoring ongoing cross-border wildlife trafficking pressures. Maritime cooperation: INS Sharda’s port call in Colombo included training and rescue exercises, reinforcing regional maritime ties that can also support disaster response.

El Niño Preparedness: Sri Lanka’s climate authorities say El Niño impacts are possible but severe adverse effects are still considered unlikely; officials also note monsoon patterns will continue through September, with heavy showers possible in July–August and reduced rainfall in the inter-monsoon months. Water Security Contingency: The Disaster Management Centre warns that a strong El Niño could deplete freshwater sources and force emergency seawater purification and distribution, citing limited water-bowser capacity. Presidential Response: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired meetings to strengthen food, water and power safeguards, with agencies asked to submit detailed contingency plans and focus on reservoir management. Plantation Risk Planning: Plantation officials urged advance measures for tea and coconut communities, including soil and water conservation and micro-irrigation, after technical briefings on likely rainfall and temperature shifts. Plastic & Biosecurity Controls: The Environment Ministry and Customs discussed tightening plastic imports and preventing clinical waste entry, including plans for specialized animal quarantine centres to curb disease spread. Fisheries Cold Chain Boost: Japan handed over six refrigerated trucks and ice-making machines to Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector to cut post-harvest losses (estimated up to 40%) and improve transport from the North/East to Colombo. Wildlife & Trade: Authorities flagged wildlife smuggling risks after a Malaysian passenger was held for trying to smuggle 50 live Indian star tortoises without permits. Waste Reality Check: A “Clean Sri Lanka” critique highlights how curated cleanliness images clash with roadside litter, informal dumps and open burning, pointing to gaps in waste management systems. Elephant Value Study: A new look at Sri Lanka’s wild elephants estimates their tourism-linked economic value across key ecosystems, tying conservation to livelihoods.

Fisheries Cold Chain Boost: Japan handed over six refrigerated trucks plus three ice-making machines to Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector to cut post-harvest losses (estimated up to 40%) on the 300–400 km haul from the north and east to Colombo. El Niño Water Security: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake ordered agencies to submit contingency plans as El Niño risks intensify, with officials warning drought could force seawater purification and emergency water distribution. Plastic & Biosecurity Crackdown: Sri Lanka’s Environment Ministry and Customs discussed tighter controls on plastic imports and steps to prevent clinical waste entry, including plans for specialised animal quarantine centres. Wildlife Smuggling Case: A Malaysian passenger was held for allegedly smuggling 50 live Indian Star tortoises; authorities moved the threatened animals to a wildlife rescue centre. Conservation Value of Elephants: A study estimates the tourism-linked economic value of wild Asian elephants across key ecosystems, tying elephant survival to Sri Lanka’s wildlife tourism income. Human-Elephant Conflict Focus: The same coverage highlights Sri Lanka’s high elephant mortality alongside growing conflict, underscoring the need for better coexistence measures.

Plastic & biosecurity controls: Sri Lanka plans tighter rules on plastic imports and stronger safeguards against clinical waste entering the country, after a high-level Environment Ministry and Customs meeting that also discussed streamlining import/export processes and setting up specialised animal quarantine centres. El Niño risk: The Meteorology Department warns El Niño may intensify through mid-2026, weakening the Southwest Monsoon and bringing longer dry spells, heat waves and water stress, with later flood risk in the north and east and potential impacts on marine life. Cyclone Ditwah recovery: UN emergency response to Cyclone Ditwah has ended, but recovery is now expected to be longer and costlier, with an estimated $3.4bn needed for resilient reconstruction and long-term rehabilitation after major flooding and landslides. Mineral governance: A new National Mineral Policy has come into effect to improve transparency, curb corruption and fraud, and push value-added mineral processing inside Sri Lanka. Wildlife conflict: Three elephant corridors have been cleared to reduce human-elephant conflict. Civic cleanliness example: A viral spotlight on community-led cleanliness in Meghalaya highlights local bans on plastic and smoking, plus daily waste discipline—an approach Sri Lanka could learn from.

Climate Adaptation Urgency: Sri Lanka is bracing for “climate whiplash” as El Niño-linked extreme conditions could bring a dry spell by year-end, raising risks of livelihood loss and food insecurity, lawmakers warned. Mineral Sector Overhaul: A new National Mineral Policy has come into effect after 27 years, aiming to curb corruption and opaque licensing, tighten regulation across the mineral value chain, and push value-added local processing instead of exporting raw resources. Disaster Recovery Support: Japan is expanding cyclone recovery help for Sri Lanka’s fisheries and cold-chain capacity, including refrigerated trucks and funding to cut post-harvest losses—while critics continue to question slow on-the-ground delivery. Renewables & Resilience Push: A high-level dialogue urged businesses to “climate-proof” operations now, saying adaptation and resilience are becoming unavoidable economic needs, not future options. Coastal & Marine Safety: Separate reporting highlights Sri Lanka’s wider regional marine concerns, including how compliance and monitoring rules can quickly reshape access to export markets.

Climate Risk: Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa warned Sri Lanka is “on the brink of climate whiplash” as El Niño-linked extreme conditions could bring a dry spell by year-end, raising risks of livelihood stress and food insecurity. Wildlife & Habitat: A new study on leopard deaths says nearly 40% of recorded human-caused deaths (2008–2024) happened in Nuwara Eliya, a tea-growing district that covers just 4.4% of the species’ range, with wire snares driving most fatalities—pushing calls for conservation beyond national parks into plantation landscapes. Water & Drought Planning: Sri Lanka is preparing for possible El Niño impacts, including moves to strengthen preparedness and manage water stress. Sustainable Finance: Over 200 stakeholders trained to apply Sri Lanka’s Green Finance Taxonomy under an EU-backed initiative, aiming to steer funding toward green, climate-resilient projects. Green Reporting: EU support helped operationalise Sri Lanka’s revised National Green Reporting System guidelines. Energy & Resilience: Japan-backed support for cyclone Ditwah recovery includes refrigerated trucks and cold-chain strengthening to cut post-harvest losses, while officials note implementation delays remain a recurring problem. Coastal/Marine Focus: Sri Lanka’s leopard findings and broader habitat pressures highlight the need to protect biodiversity in human-modified landscapes, not just protected areas.

Coastal Access & Waste Cuts: Dehiwala Beach gets five newly named public access roads, with plans for safe sea-bathing pools to protect coastal ecosystems and improve emergency access. Climate Readiness: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chairs an El Niño preparedness review, focusing on food security, drinking water and electricity, with reservoir checks and earlier Yala cultivation steps. Wildlife Under Pressure: A study of 164 leopard deaths (2008–2024) finds nearly 40% in Nuwara Eliya and over 60% linked to wire snares, urging conservation beyond national parks into plantation landscapes. Plastic Health Warning: Health authorities warn against low-quality plastic containers, saying microplastics and chemicals like BPA can migrate into hot food and drinks, raising long-term exposure risks. Green Finance Push: Sri Lanka operationalises the Green Finance Taxonomy with EU support, training stakeholders to steer funding toward climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable projects. Disaster Recovery: UN humanitarian support for Cyclone Ditwah is officially concluded, with Sri Lanka strengthening multi-hazard early warning and coordination for future shocks. Fisheries Cold Chain Upgrade: Japan hands over refrigerated trucks and ice-making machines to cut post-harvest losses in fish transport, improving food safety and export competitiveness.

Coastal Protection Push: Sri Lanka marked World Environment Day with conservation programmes along the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia coast, including the official naming of five public beach access roads to prevent encroachments and help rescue teams locate incidents faster. El Niño Water Security: A presidential meeting assessed El Niño risks for food, drinking water and power, while the Disaster Management Centre warned drought could force emergency seawater purification and distribution if reservoirs run low. Renewables Grid Stability: Sri Lanka advanced energy storage plans, completing procurement for 160 MW battery capacity and seeking more battery projects, plus options like pumped hydro, to support higher renewable power by 2030. Plastic Pollution Concern: A commentary backed the state’s single-use plastic bottle ban at government events but urged private sector action to cut waste entering waterways and beaches. Fisheries Cold Chain Boost: Japan donated refrigerated trucks and ice-making machines to strengthen Sri Lanka’s marine cold chain and reduce post-harvest losses. Carbon Markets Call: UNDP urged Sri Lanka to regularise carbon trading rules to unlock private climate finance. Energy Transition Critique: Environmental groups criticised LNG-based power plans as costly and still reliant on diesel due to lack of an LNG terminal. Drought-Linked Drinking Water Fears: Officials warned July–August rainfall may drop sharply, threatening water supply and emergency response capacity.

Oil Palm Biodiversity Debate: A new analysis argues Sri Lanka’s planned oil palm phase-out is driven more by perception than policy, noting oil palm’s current footprint is small (~11,000 ha) and largely comes from converting rubber lands rather than clearing forests. Extreme Weather & Drowning Risk: Sri Lanka has recorded 50+ drowning deaths in the first five months, with experts linking fatalities to faster river currents after extreme weather, flash rains, silt, and eroding riverbanks. Cyclone Ditwah Recovery (Waste): A Sri Lanka–Japan UNDP project is set to help over 900,000 people by clearing disaster waste and rehabilitating community facilities to strengthen long-term resilience after Cyclone Ditwah. Renewables Grid Stability: The Prime Minister says energy storage systems will be introduced to optimise renewable power use as Sri Lanka targets 70% electricity from renewables by 2030. RCEP Pathway: Sri Lanka is moving toward joining RCEP, with officials saying responses to the bloc’s questionnaire were submitted and committees formed to progress the bid. National Anticipatory Action: Sri Lanka has launched a national anticipatory action roadmap for 2026–2030 to prepare for shocks like climate impacts. Green Reporting Guidelines: EU-backed support is helping Sri Lanka roll out revised national green reporting system guidelines. World Environment Day Push: Sri Lanka marked World Environment Day with steps including five forests declared protected and a national celebration under the President’s patronage.

Watershed Recovery: Sri Lanka is setting up an authority to manage upper watershed areas in the central highlands after Cyclone Ditwah damaged about 34% of sensitive natural forest, raising risks of soil erosion and drying water sources. Climate Preparedness: The government has started planning for possible El Niño impacts, with a focus on protecting food security, agriculture and water supplies, including reservoir storage for Yala. Wildlife Protection: Two men were fined Rs. 180,000 after a Forest Conservation Department raid found and seized meat, head and skin of a strictly protected barking deer, plus wire snares. Water & Sanitation Policy: A national water tariff policy is being developed to cover all water supply and sanitation providers, aiming for fair, affordable access while keeping services financially sustainable. Disability Access Audit: Sri Lanka began a national audit of accessibility and sanitation in public institutions for persons with disabilities, backed by a Rs. 1 billion budget allocation. IMF Update: The IMF cut Sri Lanka’s 2026 growth forecast to 3% and lowered end-2026 reserve projections, while allowing temporary fiscal easing after shocks from the Middle East conflict and Cyclone Ditwah.

Protected Wildlife: A Nanu Oya court fined two men Rs. 180,000 after a Forest Conservation Department raid found them killing and butchering a strictly protected barking deer, with meat, skin and wire snares seized. Watershed Recovery: Sri Lanka’s cabinet approved an authority to manage upper watershed areas in the central highlands after Cyclone Ditwah damaged natural forests, raising risks of erosion and drying water sources. Climate Preparedness: The government began preparations for possible El Niño impacts, focusing on food security, agriculture and water storage for the Yala season. Industrial Emissions: Sri Lanka set a 13% industrial emission cut target as part of climate plans aiming for 70% renewables by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Green Finance Push: Over 200 stakeholders were trained to apply Sri Lanka’s Green Finance Taxonomy in real lending and investment decisions. Maritime Security: Australia and Sri Lanka launched the third phase of Operation Disi Rela, with ATVs and drones donated to boost coastal surveillance and crack down on illegal activities at sea. Energy & Infrastructure: Sri Lanka is also moving ahead with petroleum pipeline upgrades to strengthen fuel logistics and energy security.

Wildlife Protection: A Nanu Oya court fined two men Rs. 180,000 after a Forest Conservation Department raid found them killing and butchering a strictly protected barking deer (Indian muntjac), with 4kg of meat, the head/skin and 30 wire snares seized. Maritime Security: Australia and Sri Lanka launched the third phase of “Operation Disi Rela” (June 8–17), with the Coast Guard receiving five ATVs and 12 long-range drones to boost coastal surveillance against illegal fishing, trafficking and smuggling. Green Finance in Practice: Over 200 stakeholders were trained to apply Sri Lanka’s Green Finance Taxonomy, helping banks and firms classify and fund environmentally sustainable projects. Climate Targets: Sri Lanka set a 13% industrial emission cut as part of climate plans aiming for 70% renewables by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Coastal/Water Resilience: Rotary Sri Lanka and the Maldives marked World Environment Day by celebrating the planting of the 500,000th tree at ITC Ratnadipa, warning that El Niño is intensifying drought and crop risks. Sustainable Farming Note: Traditional “Helmalu” terraced paddy farming in Hemmathagama continues, with buffaloes supporting low-input, soil-friendly cultivation.

Plastic Pollution Control: Sri Lanka banned single-use plastic water bottles at government institutions from May 31 and introduced a mandatory fee for polyethylene shopping bags, but environmentalists warn enforcement and recycling capacity will decide whether the policy actually cuts plastic waste. Human–Elephant Conflict: Three long-blocked elephant corridors—Wetahirakanda, Hadapanagala and Koholankala—were cleared after years of development-related barriers, with plans for “Elephant Enrichment Zones” to reduce clashes with people. Public Health & Vector Control: Dengue cases rose to 35,228 nationwide (up about 30–40%), prompting a special mosquito control drive across 74 MOH divisions in 14 districts, with police and armed forces support and legal action against breeding hotspots. Marine Conservation & Research: A report highlights surprising coral growth near Hambantota Port, pointing to new opportunities for marine monitoring around Sri Lanka’s coastal infrastructure. Energy Transition: India’s hybrid renewable project for Delft, Analaitivu and Nainativu (solar, wind and battery backup) is progressing, aiming to improve reliable power for communities off the national grid. Policy & Environment Governance: A think tank says Sri Lanka’s bill to amend the National Environment Act could strengthen Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes, while EU-backed green reporting guidelines are also moving forward. Community Greening: Maris Stella College in Negombo distributed trees on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day as part of its “Journey from Ego to Eco” push to rebuild a greener canopy.

Dengue Control: Sri Lanka’s dengue cases have surged to 35,228 this year, up about 30–40% year-on-year, with Colombo flagged as the worst-hit area; health authorities are running a nationwide mosquito-control drive on June 8–10 across 74 MOH divisions in 14 districts, with police and armed forces support and legal action against breeding hotspots. Clean Energy for Islands: India’s High Commissioner visited a hybrid solar-wind-diesel project with battery backup for Delft, Analaitivu and Nainativu (off Jaffna), delivering nearly 4.3 MW under an $11m grant—aimed at reliable power for communities not on the national grid. Green Reporting Push: Sri Lanka launched revised EU-backed National Green Reporting System guidelines to strengthen corporate transparency and environmental responsibility, aligning reporting with global GRI standards. World Environment Day: Sri Lanka marked World Environment Day by declaring five forests as protected areas, adding to conservation efforts. Ocean & Regional Cooperation: Sri Lanka called for stronger international action on ocean conservation, while BIMSTEC leaders highlighted Bay of Bengal cooperation on security and sustainable development. Climate Risk Planning: Sri Lanka rolled out a National Anticipatory Action Roadmap for 2026–2030, focusing on early action for climate and disaster impacts.

National Green Reporting Overhaul: Sri Lanka has launched EU-backed revised National Green Reporting System guidelines, aiming to push corporate transparency and environmental responsibility by aligning reporting with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and strengthening climate and ESG disclosure. Climate Risk Watch: Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department warned that El Niño is likely to bring drought conditions in July–August, raising pressure on agriculture, power grids and water supplies. Biodiversity & Wildlife: Sri Lanka marks World Environment Day with five forests declared protected, while a separate report flags that wildlife management has been breached for years. Ocean & Coastal Protection: Sri Lanka calls for stronger international action on ocean conservation, with a focus on how thriving coastal communities help protect marine ecosystems. Community Resilience & Early Action: A national plan for early warning and early action is being rolled out, alongside calls for greater investment in community resilience and inclusive disaster risk reduction.

Climate & Water Security: Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department is warning of drought in July–August linked to El Niño, with Asia among the hardest hit as heat and dry spells threaten farming, power and water supplies. Pollution & Public Health: A report on Pakistan’s river contamination crisis says enforcement and planning failures are turning major rivers into channels of industrial waste and untreated sewage, with knock-on damage to drinking water, farmland, fisheries and health. Biodiversity & Food Systems: Sri Lanka is being urged to adopt bee-friendly farming as pollinator decline could cut harvests and raise cultivation costs; experts point to habitat loss and heavy pesticide use as key drivers. Green Governance: The EU-backed revised National Green Reporting System Guidelines were launched in Sri Lanka to improve environmental transparency and align reporting with global sustainability frameworks. Local Environment Action: Sri Lanka’s Department of Motor Traffic will hold free “vehicle tuning Dansala” for motorcycles and three-wheelers to improve performance and reduce harmful emissions.