AGP Executive Report

Fertiliser Pollution: Sri Lanka urged countries to reduce nitrogen losses from fertilisers, saying better use—not simply less fertiliser—is key to limiting harm to waterways and the climate. Elephant Safety: Conservationists warned that illegal electric traps near Ibbagamuwa threaten elephants and people. In a separate Hasthi Sena inspection, officials found 50–60 homes with non-standard electric fences along elephant routes. Green Trade: Cabinet approved a €10 million EU grant for four years of support for greener, climate-resilient trade and export standards. Marine Protection: Sri Lanka and India’s coast guards agreed to strengthen cooperation on marine pollution response, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement. Heat Stress: An ILO study warns rising temperatures could cost Sri Lanka and the Maldives the equivalent of 147,000 full-time jobs by 2040. Air Quality: Jaffna recorded Sri Lanka’s highest reported air pollution level, with Colombo ranking fourth. Coral Reefs: A regional assessment classifies all 13 South Asian coral reef regions, including those around Sri Lanka, as critically endangered when future ocean warming is considered.

Elephant Protection: Sri Lanka’s new “Hasthi Sena” operation targets threats to 17 at-risk elephants, with plans to cover most elephant habitats and crack down on illegal guns, snares and explosive bait. Wildlife Accountability: Protesters are demanding justice for tusker Kawanthissa and stronger action to prevent elephant deaths. Coral Reefs: A new study classifies all 13 South Asian reef systems, including those around Sri Lanka, as critically endangered when future ocean warming and marine heat stress are considered. Green Trade: The EU has approved a €10 million grant for a four-year project to support climate-resilient trade and greener practices in Sri Lanka. Ocean Conservation: A new global report warns that ocean-protection pledges need stronger accountability and greater inclusion of small-scale fishers.

Elephant Protection: Sri Lanka has launched the island-wide “Hasthi Sena” operation to reduce human-elephant conflict, starting with 17 at-risk elephants. Authorities are targeting illegal firearms, snares, explosive bait and unauthorised electric fences. Food Security: Officials are preparing for possible El Niño-related import disruptions, while AgriConnect aims to link 900,000 farmers to finance and markets by 2030; its promised funding still needs to translate into affordable food and better livelihoods. Air Pollution: Jaffna recorded the country’s highest pollution level, with Colombo ranking fourth, renewing concerns about urban air quality. Heat and Work: New ILO projections warn heat stress could cost Sri Lanka and the Maldives 147,000 full-time job equivalents by 2040. Pollution and Women: A UNDP report, including Sri Lanka among seven countries studied, calls for women’s greater role in environmental decisions and better protection from hazardous chemicals. Environmental Accountability: A major judgment in the X-Press Pearl case has renewed debate over whether international law can hold polluters to account.

Elephant Protection: Sri Lanka has launched “Hasthi Sena,” an island-wide operation targeting human-elephant conflict. Its first phase focuses on 17 at-risk elephants, while raids have seized illegal firearms, traps and explosive bait that threaten wildlife. Climate and Food Security: Officials are preparing for possible supply disruptions linked to El Niño, though importers say current plans should avert shortages through January. Heat Stress: New ILO studies warn that rising temperatures threaten workers’ health and productivity in Sri Lanka and other countries, adding urgency to workplace protections as heat intensifies. Air Pollution: Jaffna recorded Sri Lanka’s highest air-pollution level, with Colombo ranking fourth, raising fresh concerns about urban air quality.

Air Quality: Jaffna recorded Sri Lanka’s highest AQI at 142, with Colombo at 102; officials said weather and winds from southern India contributed to worsening pollution across several districts. Heat and Work: ILO projections warn heat stress could cost Sri Lanka the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs in lost working hours by 2040, underscoring the growing pressure on workers and productivity. Elephant Conservation: Kawanthissa’s death has renewed calls for an independent inquiry and a rethink of wildlife policy, with conservationists stressing scientific planning, community participation and accountability. Environmental Justice: More than five years after the X-Press Pearl disaster, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court-ordered US$1 billion compensation remains largely unrecovered, exposing the challenge of holding companies accountable for environmental damage. Land and Housing: An investigation into India-funded plantation homes reports that poor planning, delays and missing infrastructure have left some new houses unused and surrounded by jungle.

Air Quality: Jaffna recorded Sri Lanka’s worst air pollution reading, with an AQI of 142; Colombo reached 102. Officials said weather and winds from southern India contributed to worsening air quality across several districts, posing risks to sensitive groups. Wildlife: The death of tusker Kawanthissa has renewed calls for accountability and a rethink of elephant conservation, including community participation and research. A proposed centre near Ambanpola would include a research facility and library. Marine Pollution: Sri Lanka’s effort to recover compensation for the X-Press Pearl disaster remains unresolved, despite a Supreme Court order for US$1 billion. Environmental advocates say the shortfall exposes obstacles to holding companies accountable across borders. Climate and Jobs: An ILO study projects heat stress could cut working time in Sri Lanka by the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040, even under a low-emissions scenario. Climate Finance: Alliance Finance plans Sri Lanka’s first Orange Bond, with proceeds intended in part for climate financing for small businesses.

Air Quality: Jaffna recorded Sri Lanka’s highest AQI at 142, while Colombo reached 102; both readings are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Officials blamed weather and winds carrying pollution from southern India. Elephant Conservation: Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is planning a research and conservation centre near the Kahalla-Pallekele elephant range, including a memorial to tusker Kavantissa and work to reduce human-elephant conflict. Heat Stress: ILO projections suggest heat could cut Sri Lanka’s working time by the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040, as losses mount across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. River and Lake Pollution: Japan has pledged Rs. 600 million for Kelani River water quality work, while Rs. 2.5 billion has been allocated to clean Beira Lake. Toxic Waste: Reports warn that lead from discarded car batteries threatens public health, with thousands of tonnes of battery acid dumped annually in Sri Lanka.

Farm Resilience: Sri Lanka’s new $665 million AgriConnect plan aims to link 900,000 farmers to markets and finance by 2030, while strengthening climate resilience and food security. It also seeks to attract up to $170 million in private investment. Heat at Work: ILO projections suggest rising temperatures could cut working time in Sri Lanka by the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040. That is lost productive capacity, not a forecast of workers being laid off. Flood Protection: Japan has granted Rs. 4.56 billion for Kelani River flood mitigation, as Sri Lanka faces growing pressure to protect communities from flooding. Wildlife: Calls for stronger elephant protection continue after an electric fence killed two young females, highlighting the risks animals face as people and wildlife share more space. Urban Water: The Government has allocated Rs. 2.5 billion to clean up Beira Lake, renewing attention on pollution in Colombo’s waterways.

Heat at Work: ILO studies warn rising temperatures could cost Sri Lanka the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs and US$26 billion in annual GDP by 2040, strengthening calls for workplace protections and climate adaptation. Climate-Resilient Farming: Sri Lanka launched AgriConnect, a US$665 million programme aiming to connect 900,000 farmers to markets by 2030 and make agriculture more resilient. Flood Protection: Japan is providing Rs. 4.56 billion for a pumping station to reduce flooding in Wattala and Peliyagoda, areas exposed to heavy rain and rising Kelani River levels. Clean Energy: A new Colombo solar initiative is expected to generate 365,000 kWh a year and avoid about 193 tonnes of carbon emissions; a 3.5 MW biomass power plant has also opened in Wilachchiya. Wildlife: The death of tusker Kavantissa after a gunshot wound has renewed calls for stronger elephant conservation and action to prevent killings.

Wildlife Protection: Cabinet has approved a national committee to coordinate action on wildlife hazards to aircraft, while the death of iconic tusker Kavantissa has renewed calls for stronger elephant conservation. Heat and Work: The ILO warns rising heat could cost Sri Lanka the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040, with agriculture among the sectors most at risk. River Pollution: Japan’s Rs. 600 million Kelani River project will fund water-quality monitoring and technical work, but the challenge remains turning better data into effective pollution control. Climate Finance: Sri Lanka has joined the Orange Movement, with the Colombo Stock Exchange preparing its first bonds to fund gender equality and climate resilience. Toxic Waste: Reports warn that unsafe battery recycling is a growing threat, with more than 5,000 tonnes of battery acid dumped annually in Sri Lanka. Urban Clean-up: Rs. 2.5 billion has been allocated to clean Colombo’s Beira Lake.

Heat Stress: Rising temperatures could cost Sri Lanka the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040, the ILO warns, with agriculture likely to be hardest hit. Wildlife: Environmentalists are demanding accountability over tusker Kawantissa’s death, while illegal electric fences have killed two young female elephants, renewing calls for stronger protection. Colombo Cleanup: The government has allocated Rs. 2.5 billion to tackle sewage, solid waste and silt polluting Beira Lake. Flood Resilience: Japan is providing Rs. 4.56 billion for Kelani River flood mitigation, including a new pumping station to improve drainage around Wattala and Peliyagoda. Dengue Risk: Persistent rain has raised mosquito breeding indicators in 130 MOH divisions, prompting a nationwide control campaign in November. Toxic Waste: Sri Lanka faces mounting risks from unsafe battery recycling, with reports warning of widespread lead waste and thousands of tonnes of battery acid dumped annually.

Flood Resilience: Japan has pledged Rs. 4.56 billion for a new Kelani River pumping station to reduce flooding in Wattala and Peliyagoda. The Government has also allocated Rs. 2.5 billion to clean Beira Lake, targeting sewage outlets, waste and silt. Rain and Health: Persistent downpours are increasing mosquito breeding, with health officials warning of higher dengue risk and a nationwide control campaign planned for November. Wildlife: A Medawachchiya elephant calf is recovering after intensive treatment, while environmentalists demand an investigation into the death of tusker Kawantissa. Two young female elephants were also killed by an illegal electric fence, renewing calls for stronger protection. Pollution: Environmental advocates warn that unsafe battery recycling is releasing thousands of tonnes of battery acid and leaving a major lead-waste threat. Land and Climate: Sri Lanka has suspended plans for new northern forest reserves amid land disputes, as Tamil farmers continue to contest access to grazing lands. In Mannar, rising heat is already shaping daily life on the climate front line.

Flood Resilience: Japan has pledged about Rs. 4.56 billion for a Kelani River Basin pumping station to improve drainage and reduce flooding around Wattala and Peliyagoda. Urban Pollution: The Government has allocated Rs. 2.5 billion to clean Beira Lake, targeting sewage outlets, solid waste and silt; officials say about 20 long-running sewage discharge points are major pollution sources. Wildlife Protection: Environmentalists have accused senior officials of negligence in the treatment of tusker Kawantissa and called for an investigation. They also warn a proposed rice mill could threaten a corridor used by around 300 elephants. Toxic Waste: More than one million tonnes of lead slag are reportedly stockpiled in Sri Lanka, while over 5,000 tonnes of battery acid are allegedly dumped annually. Campaigners are calling for unregulated smelting to stop and for used batteries and acid to be handled at approved facilities.

Toxic Waste: More than one million tonnes of lead slag have reportedly accumulated in Sri Lanka, while over 5,000 tonnes of battery acid are dumped annually. Campaigners warn unsafe recycling threatens workers, nearby communities and children. Elephant Protection: WNPS is asking the Court of Appeal to stop the state from issuing firearms to civilians, arguing the policy is fuelling elephant killings. Flood Resilience: Japan has pledged Rs. 4.54 billion to upgrade pumping capacity in the Kelani River Basin and reduce flood risk across greater Colombo. Land Dispute: Tamil cattle farmers in the east say they are being forced from grazing land and allege more than 5,700 cows have been killed; the government denies forcible evictions.

Toxic Waste: More than one million tonnes of lead slag have reportedly accumulated in Sri Lanka, while over 5,000 tonnes of battery acid are allegedly dumped each year. Campaigners warn that unsafe recycling and informal smelting threaten nearby communities and call for batteries and acid to be handled at approved facilities. Elephant Safety: Two young female elephants died after encountering an allegedly illegal electric fence in Anuradhapura District. The deaths come as the government considers strengthening fences in Puttalam before allocating nearby land to families, while stressing that wildlife habitats and forest cover must be protected. Climate Pressure: In Mannar, rising heat is affecting residents’ health and making life harder for farmers and fishers who cannot avoid working outdoors. Land and Wildlife: Tamil cattle farmers in the east say land disputes and poisoned grazing areas have harmed their livelihoods and cattle, highlighting the challenge of resolving land claims while protecting communities and the environment.

Water Security: Cabinet approved negotiations for a US$60 million OPEC Fund loan toward the second phase of the Mahaweli Water Security programme, aimed at improving Dry Zone water management, food security and climate resilience. Extreme Weather: Heavy rain linked to Cyclone Arnab affected more than 10,500 people across 21 districts, with flooding, school closures and a person reported missing; further rain was forecast. Elephant Safety: Two young female elephants died after reportedly contacting an illegal electric fence in Anuradhapura, highlighting the continuing danger to wildlife. Climate Frontline: Mannar residents describe punishing heat affecting health and disrupting farmers’ and fishers’ livelihoods. Marine Pollution: Questions are mounting over how the government will implement the Supreme Court’s X-Press Pearl ruling while pursuing compensation negotiations. Fisheries: Officials say around 40% of Sri Lanka’s fish production is lost after harvest, prompting calls for measures to cut waste and improve the supply chain.