AGP Executive Report

Crypto crackdown push: Bangladesh’s CID says $136m was siphoned via the fraudulent “Metaverse Foreign Exchange” crypto platform in 2023, highlighting how crypto can bypass central-bank control and make recovery hard because sender and receiver stay hard to trace. Eastern land protection: Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake ordered a Special Committee led by a Deputy Inspector General of Police to stop Eastern Province land grabs and unauthorised reclamation, while also calling for scientific studies to tackle coastal erosion beyond “rocks and barriers.” Energy & climate moves: LAUGFS Power commissioned a 2MW Kehelgamu Oya mini hydro project, adding renewable output to the grid. Digital identity at airports: Biometrics providers at ID4Africa’s AGM pointed to uneven rollout lessons—some countries are still struggling to deliver trust and smooth access. Regional science link: Norway’s research vessel Fridtjof Nansen redirected to Sri Lanka after West Asia disruption, running a month-long marine survey and documenting hundreds of species. Tea modernisation: New digital resource centres are being rolled out to help smallholder tea growers access regenerative agriculture guidance faster. Big picture: The Strait of Hormuz shutdown is still rippling into food and fertiliser supply, pushing farmers toward manure and other substitutes.

Plant Quarantine Clash: Sri Lanka’s Agriculture chief Thushara Wickramaarachchi denied claims that imported fresh-cut flowers were released despite dangerous pests, saying 12 of 18 boxes passed inspections, but lab tests later found whitefly and white rust in six Chrysanthemum boxes—those were incinerated at BIA on Jan 30, and the stock was never released illegally. Tea Digital Push: The Tea Small Holdings Development Authority opened a digital tea resource centre in Hantana to help smallholders access practical, real-time guidance and speed up research-to-farm transfer using digital tools and social media. Energy Transition Milestone: Colombo Port unloaded Sri Lanka’s first commercial-grade battery energy storage system, a step toward a more stable grid as renewables and peak demand volatility keep pressure on the system. Port City Finance Move: Commercial Bank of Ceylon signed to set up a full branch at Port City Colombo, aiming to serve corporates, investors and cross-border business with digital banking and trade services. Global Signals: Saudi Arabia joined the India-led International Big Cat Alliance, while the rupee’s recent slide continues to dominate economic commentary.

Port City Finance Push: Commercial Bank of Ceylon signs to open a fully-fledged branch at Port City Colombo, bringing digital banking, trade services, FX, lending and remittances closer to the Special Economic Zone. Energy Transition Check: Colombo Port unloads Sri Lanka’s first commercial-grade BESS shipment, aimed at stabilising a grid strained by renewables and peak demand. Coal Risk Spotlight: PUCSL flags operational, environmental and financial concerns tied to Lakvijaya coal shipments, warning output shortfalls could hit power security. Market Mood: CSE edges up after a rough streak, but rupee depreciation and macro uncertainty keep sentiment cautious. Digital Agriculture: Permia secures a contract to monitor NLDB coconut estates across 4,750 hectares with tree-level health and decision-support dashboards. Regional Tech Signal: India’s UPI is set to go live in Cyprus next year, expanding real-time payments beyond Asia. Human Stories: A documentary recalls the 1986 rescue of 155 Tamil refugees off Newfoundland, while Sri Lanka’s abuse case against a Thero returns to court amid calls for impartial justice.

Energy Transition Milestone: Colombo Port has unloaded Sri Lanka’s first commercial-grade BESS units, aimed at stabilising the grid as renewables swing and peak demand spikes. Coal Scrutiny: PUCSL flags operational, environmental and financial risks tied to Lakvijaya coal shipments, estimating a Rs. 8.5b impact and warning about reduced output during peak months. Parliament Oversight: A new subcommittee is set to probe Norochcholai/Lakvijaya environmental impact, with plans to seek training links from Germany, Japan and China. Digital Agriculture Push: The CROPIX seed production, certification and traceability system is launched, while Permia secures a contract to monitor coconut estates across 4,750 hectares. Tech & Business Networking: Fentons IT hosted a CIO cocktail evening with IceWarp, spotlighting senior IT decision-makers. Market Mood: CSE shares closed slightly higher after currency pressure and geopolitical jitters drove volatility. Governance & Justice: A case involving alleged abuse by a senior Thero is scheduled for hearing again, with calls for impartial investigation.

Market Mood Swing: Sri Lankan shares bounced back, snapping a six-session slide as healthcare, energy and IT lifted the CSE, but the rally faded fast when rupee pressure returned, leaving investors cautious. Digital Agriculture: The Ministry of Agriculture launched the CROPIX seed production, certification and traceability system with FAO support, aiming to fix delays, improve access to quality seed, and tighten monitoring across the seed value chain. Tea Exports Upgrade: Talawakelle Tea Estates secured international organic certification across EU, US and Japan standards, positioning Great Western and Logie brands for higher-end global markets. Energy Oversight: A parliamentary subcommittee was formed to probe the Norochcholai power plant’s environmental impact, with plans to consult foreign missions. Health & Safety: Sri Lanka’s Ebola preparedness guidelines were issued, while in India hospitals moved to tobacco-free zones. Tech & Business: SLASSCOM’s Xcellerate accelerator continues pushing investment-ready startups, and SLT-MOBITEL reported its strongest Q1 performance in group history. Transport Admin: Vehicle number plate printing is set to restart by June 10 under a new contract. Finance & Governance: Commentary this week flags fraud and payment failures as systemic risks, not isolated incidents.

Vehicle Policy & Markets: Sri Lanka’s vehicle number plate printing is set to restart by June 10, 2026, after the DMT awarded a five-year contract to South Asian Technologies and says the machinery is already installed at Werahera. FX Pressure & Trade Risks: Exporters are warning that rupee depreciation is not delivering the usual boost because production costs are rising fast on imported inputs, squeezing margins. Digital Economy Momentum: SLASSCOM’s Xcellerate Accelerator is pushing 21 investment-ready startups into scale-up mode, while SLT-MOBITEL reports a strong Q1 2026 turnaround with record operating profit and net earnings. Payments Upgrade: PayPal has officially launched in Sri Lanka via major banks, aiming to expand receiving and strengthen cross-border payments. Health Preparedness: The Health Ministry issued WHO-aligned Ebola prevention steps, stressing Sri Lanka remains low-risk. Regional Security: India’s PRAGATI 2026 multilateral drill has begun in Meghalaya with Sri Lanka among 12 participating nations. Transport Incident: Wanawasala rail accident damage is pegged at nearly Rs. 1.7 million, with track repairs completed and further checks underway.

Oxford Lecture: PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya delivered the 2026 OSGA Annual Lecture at the University of Oxford, arguing that development is inseparable from governance and politics—plus a focus on women’s participation and turning public movements into lasting institutions. Board Moves: Siyapatha Finance appointed Deshal de Mel and Nishani de Zoysa as Independent Non-Executive Directors, bringing deep policy and banking experience to its oversight. Digital Banking Push: Union Bank’s newest Digital Zone drew CG Corp Global chairman Dr. Binod Chaudhary, signaling continued tech investment under the CG umbrella. Health Preparedness: The Health Ministry is stepping up Ebola readiness with airport surveillance, NIID treatment preparedness, and tighter coordination with the WHO—while stressing Sri Lanka remains low-risk. Markets: Sri Lankan shares slid again, dragged by broad losses in IT and healthcare. Disaster Tech: Sri Lanka rolled out digital systems to speed disaster compensation claims after Cyclone Ditwah, aiming to cut delays and paperwork. Regional Security: India’s PRAGATI 2026 exercise kicked off in Meghalaya with Sri Lanka among 12 participating nations.

Regional Security & Diplomacy: India kicked off multilateral exercise PRAGATI 2026 in Meghalaya, bringing contingents from 12 “friendly nations” including Sri Lanka to focus on professional exchanges and interoperability. Election Integrity: Media Law Forum Sri Lanka is training journalists to spot and resist election disinformation, after past polls saw sharp rises in harmful speech and hate targeting. Space Ambition: Sri Lanka’s newly approved National Space Policy is framed as a long-overdue shift from scattered tech efforts to a clearer sovereignty-and-security agenda. Digital Government: Sri Lanka launched a unified digital platform for overseas missions, aiming to make foreign affairs services more efficient and transparent. Disaster Tech: New digital tools are being rolled out to speed disaster compensation claims after Cyclone Ditwah. Music Rights Tech: BMI agreed to acquire Soundmouse to build a larger AI-assisted cue sheet database. Energy Push: Sri Lanka invited investors for green hydrogen and ammonia projects, while a new 220kV transmission line contract supports wind power evacuation. Markets: Colombo stocks slid sharply, with investor caution tied to currency weakness and uncertainty.

Education & Inclusion: Ratmalana School for the Deaf made history in the Schools Basketball Tournament 2026, beating Science College and narrowly losing to Badulla Central—more than results, a push for confidence and social acceptance. Transport Tech: The Department of Motor Traffic says vehicle number plate printing will start on or before June 10 under a new contract, after an earlier tender was cancelled for lack of bids. Industry & Automation: Hayleys’ Dipped Products (DPL) inaugurated a Rs. 2.3b glove expansion in Kottawa, adding automated dipping plants, effluent treatment, and a steam boiler to boost high-value exports. Finance Governance: A fresh call for an AI-driven national financial intelligence framework follows renewed concern over major fraud risks. Digital Government: Sri Lanka launched a revamped Foreign Ministry website and a unified Common Website Platform for overseas missions, starting with seven missions. Energy & Investment: Sri Lanka invited global proposals for green hydrogen and green ammonia projects via an RFI, aiming to build a clean-energy export hub.

Diplomatic Spotlight: PM Harini Amarasuriya is in the UK for the Commonwealth Education Forum, with a scheduled address at Oxford and meetings with UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Agriculture Push: Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Department wants to quadruple honey output from 50 to 200 metric tons, using modern methods and warning that bee declines could hit food security and livelihoods. Clean Energy Pipeline: Sri Lanka has issued an RFI to attract global investors to build green hydrogen and green ammonia projects, targeting major renewable and carbon-neutral goals. Power Grid Build-Out: Jyoti Structures and Hayleys Fentons have signed a JV contract for the Mannar–Mullikulam 220kV double-circuit transmission line under the NTNSP. Public Sector Digital Upgrade: The Foreign Affairs Ministry launched a revamped website and a unified platform for Sri Lanka missions abroad, aiming for faster, more transparent services for citizens and overseas communities. Energy Market Jitters: EM stocks slipped and FX stayed steady as bond selloffs spread on inflation fears.

Digital Government Upgrade: Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has launched a revamped official website plus a unified “Common Website Platform” for overseas missions, starting with seven posts (including New Delhi, Malé, Bucharest, Brasilia, Wellington, The Hague and Cairo) to boost efficiency, access, transparency and accountability. US Legal Twist: U.S. prosecutors moved to drop criminal fraud and conspiracy charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani tied to a major solar project, with the judge still to approve. Energy Shock Watch: The Iran conflict’s Strait of Hormuz risk is again in focus, with global oil and data-flow concerns echoing across markets. Renewables Push at Home: HNB and Access Solar signed an MoU to expand solar loan options, while Vidullanka, DIMO and LAUGFS keep adding battery storage and mini-hydro capacity. Regional Tragedy: Maldives authorities suspended parts of the search after a military diver died during recovery efforts for five Italian divers missing in a deep cave. Tech & Commerce: PayPal’s Sri Lanka rollout is being framed as a boost for cross-border payments via local banks.

Animal Welfare Policy: Sri Lanka’s Animal Welfare Coalition is pushing for dog crematoriums, arguing orphanages often fail and instead urging stronger vaccination and sterilisation to curb stray populations. Renewables & Storage: HNB has partnered with Access Solar to offer solar loan solutions, while DIMO and Vidullanka are expanding Battery Energy Storage System projects—signalling a faster shift to solar+storage resilience. Energy Efficiency Wins: Maxtherm Lanka took Silver at the National Energy Efficiency Awards for efficiency tech that can cut boiler fuel costs sharply. Digital Payments: PayPal’s Sri Lanka expansion is officially announced via major banks, aiming to unlock cross-border payments for freelancers and SMEs. Weather Disruption: Heavy rains have affected thousands and kept landslide warnings active. Regional Tech & Culture: A fully automated book vending machine launches in Sri Lanka, and the Maldives cave-diving tragedy continues to dominate regional headlines.

Digital Payments Leap: PayPal officially expands in Sri Lanka, with services set to launch via Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank—aimed at making cross-border payments easier for freelancers and SMEs. Public Safety & Health Tech: Germany-made plasma exchange machines worth over Rs. 50 million were donated to boost critical care, including treatment for leptospirosis and blood cancers. AI Hardware Push: HP is positioning itself as a “platform of choice” for the next AI era, rolling out OmniPad 12 to run heavier AI work locally. Weather Disruption: Heavy rains have affected 5,242 people across 14 districts, with landslide warnings extended. Maldives Tragedy: Search efforts for four Italian divers in a deep cave were suspended after a Maldivian military diver died, with families demanding answers. Local Mobility: David Pieris Automobiles delivered eight BAIC X55 vehicles to Chevron Lubricants Lanka, supported by financing from Central Finance. Education Spotlight: Omar Hazari won Sri Lanka’s national public speaking contest and will represent the country in the UK.

Severe Weather Disrupts Daily Life: Heavy rains and flooding have affected 5,242 people across 65 Divisional Secretariat areas in 14 districts, with Puttalam, Colombo, and Kalutara hit hardest; 192 houses reported partial damage, 162 people are sheltered, and landslide warnings have been extended by NBRO across 13 districts. Digital Payments Move Forward: PayPal expansion in Sri Lanka is officially announced, with Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, and Sampath Bank as initial partners—aimed at boosting cross-border payments for freelancers, SMEs, and start-ups. Tech & Society Under Pressure: A new push highlights the growing risk of image-based sexual abuse in Sri Lanka’s digital spaces, as policymakers and researchers call for stronger protections. Health Policy Watch: Sri Lanka is considering a “generational tobacco ban” modelled on the Maldives approach, as universities and health groups intensify cessation and prevention efforts. Local Tech/Business Signals: SLT-MOBITEL posts strong Q1 2026 growth, while TVS Motor’s outlook stays upbeat despite valuation recalibration.

Maldives Rescue Turns Deadly: A Maldivian military diver died while trying to recover the bodies of five Italian divers trapped in a deep cave at Vaavu Atoll, and the search for the remaining four was later suspended as rough weather and decompression risks hampered operations. Tobacco Policy Pressure: Bangladesh experts urged Sri Lanka Tech Journal readers’ region to push higher tobacco prices and taxes in the next budget, arguing health and environmental costs far outweigh revenue. Sri Lanka FDI Push: A Colombo dialogue with the EU and Verité Research focused on how Sri Lanka can attract “quality” foreign direct investment as the economy shifts from recovery to growth. Luxury Brand Goes AI: Mahogany Masterpieces launched a new digital flagship with an AI concierge on its website. EV Charging Momentum: ChargeUP partnered with Lanka IOC to expand EV charging across the island via fuel-station networks. Local Tech Governance: Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department opened a fraud probe into a disputed immigration software payment, alleging a “User Management Module” was never delivered.

Digital Disinformation: London Mayor Sadiq Khan blamed Russia, China and the US for AI-made “London is in decline” content, warning that outrage drives clicks and urging people to be vigilant. Sri Lanka Tech & Business: SLT-MOBITEL posted strong Q1 2026 growth, while CEAT opened a new SIS tyre outlet and ChargeUP partnered with Lanka IOC to expand EV charging across fuel stations. Payments Expansion: PayPal is rolling out in Sri Lanka via major banks (starting with Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank and Sampath), aiming to boost cross-border access for SMEs and freelancers. Corruption Probe: Immigration investigators escalated a software procurement fraud case, alleging a Rs. 9.83m “User Management Module” was certified complete but never actually delivered. SME Pressure: SMEs are demanding real action after the government launched “SME NEXUS” to triple the economy to $300b. Infrastructure: Peradeniya Bridge is nearing completion, with rail restoration plans targeting Kandy soon. Regional Shock: Maldives cave-diving deaths of five Italians continue to trigger high-risk recovery and investigations.