AGP Executive Report

Wildlife Rescue: Wildlife teams, veterinarians, soldiers and police are treating a sick elephant in Sammanthurai. Officials suspect a stomach blockage, possibly from toxic material or polythene; flooding is hampering care. Forest Protection: Sri Lanka has paused declaring new Northern forest reserves until land and boundary disputes are resolved, while considering removing selected tracts from existing reserves. Elephant Protection: Kavantissa’s fatal shooting has renewed calls to tackle human-elephant conflict. Authorities are considering a joint military-wildlife operations centre, as Sri Lanka recorded 455 wild elephant deaths in 2025. Climate Risks: NASA says the developing El Niño resembles the powerful 1997 event, while the UN warns it could intensify. The outlook raises concerns for Sri Lanka’s climate and disaster preparedness. Sustainable Exports: Sri Lanka is preparing its rubber sector for EU deforestation rules, with exporters concerned about remaining competitive.

Elephant Protection: The death of iconic tusker Kavantissa from a gunshot wound has renewed calls for stronger wildlife protection. Authorities propose a joint operations centre at Army Headquarters, bringing the military, wildlife officers and veterinarians together to prevent killings and respond to human-elephant conflict. Sri Lanka recorded 455 wild elephant deaths in 2025. Climate Watch: NASA says the developing El Niño resembles the powerful 1997 event, while UN agencies warn it could intensify. The outlook raises concern about climate-related risks, though specific impacts on Sri Lanka were not detailed. Rubber and Forests: Sri Lanka is preparing its rubber sector for EU deforestation rules, with exporters concerned about maintaining competitiveness as environmental requirements tighten.

Elephant Protection: Sri Lanka will establish a joint wildlife–military operations centre, train troops in elephant handling and step up patrols and raids against wildlife crime. The move follows the shooting death of much-loved tusker Kavantissa; reports say 455 wild elephants were killed in 2025. Wildlife Rescue: Teams are treating a sick elephant in Samanthurai, where flooding is complicating efforts to reach the animal. Climate Risks: NASA says the developing El Niño could surpass the major 1997 and 2015 events, raising concern over climate impacts worldwide. Rubber Exports: Sri Lanka is preparing the rubber sector for upcoming EU deforestation rules, as exporters face pressure to meet new requirements.

Wildlife Rescue: Teams are racing to treat a sick elephant that collapsed in Samanthurai, where flooding is hampering care. Its swollen abdomen may indicate poisoning or a blockage from ingested plastic, though the cause is not confirmed. Elephant Protection: After the shooting death of tusker Kavantissa, authorities plan joint raids against wildlife crime, specialist elephant training for military personnel and a coordinated operations room. Conservationists say 13 elephants need urgent protection; reported figures put wild elephant deaths at 455 in 2025. Climate and Exports: Extreme weather is weighing on Sri Lanka’s tea production, while the rubber sector is preparing for EU deforestation rules amid concerns about export competitiveness. Analysts have also warned that climate pressures and global food shortages could deepen the country’s economic risks.

Wildlife: Conservationists are urging immediate protection for 13 wild elephants, including Agbo and Wasala, and say security forces should help guard animals at risk. Kavantissa’s death has renewed scrutiny of how Sri Lanka protects individual tuskers and manages wildlife threats. Climate Resilience: A new call urges Sri Lanka to move beyond disaster response and factor climate risks into economic planning, as floods, landslides and drought threaten livelihoods, infrastructure and growth. Energy Security: A coal-unit failure triggered a nationwide blackout and rolling power cuts. Officials said rooftop solar made it harder to stabilise the grid, exposing challenges in managing renewable power flows. Rubber Exports: Sri Lanka is preparing its rubber industry for EU deforestation rules, which require stronger product traceability and production records to maintain market access. Marine Pollution: Debate over X-Press Pearl compensation highlights the need for an independent assessment of environmental damage; studies found plastic pollution in the Negombo lagoon before the ship sank, complicating claims over the spill’s impact.

Rubber and Deforestation: Sri Lanka is preparing rubber producers and exporters for EU deforestation rules, which require traceable supply chains and reliable production records to retain access to the European market. Elephant Protection: Wild Tuskers has urged authorities to involve security forces in protecting 13 wild elephants, including Agbo and Wasala, as concern grows after tusker Kavantissa’s death. Greener Transport: Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake discussed Nordic cooperation to improve road safety and develop more efficient, sustainable transport and urban systems in Sri Lanka. Power Security: A coal-unit breakdown triggered a nationwide blackout and power cuts; officials said rooftop solar flows complicated grid restoration, highlighting challenges in managing the electricity system.

Elephant Protection: Wild Tuskers of Sri Lanka says 13 elephants, including Agbo, need urgent protection; Agbo has been found safe. Parliament was told 455 wild elephants were killed in 2025, alongside 160 human deaths in elephant encounters. A presidential committee has begun probing tusker Kavantissa’s death and plans to recommend stronger protection measures. Climate Risks: The WMO warns El Niño could become exceptionally strong, bringing hotter conditions and weaker rainfall across parts of South and Southeast Asia, with drought risks. Palk Bay: A Colombo roundtable called for better research into marine resources, water quality and damage from bottom trawling around Katchatheevu.

Human–Elephant Conflict: Sri Lanka reported 455 wild elephants killed in 2025, up from 388 the year before; elephant attacks also killed 160 people and injured 221. A presidential committee has begun probing tusker Kawanthissa’s death and will recommend stronger protection, including a rapid-response veterinary unit. Climate & Agriculture: Extreme weather has cut tea production, threatening export earnings and highlighting the economic cost of climate impacts. Renewable Energy: The Court of Appeal issued notice in a wildlife group’s challenge to the Mannar wind-power project, bringing environmental scrutiny to clean-energy development.

Elephant Conservation: Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population exceeds 7,000, Wildlife Department chief Ranjan Marasinghe says, with habitat fragmentation and expanding settlements intensifying conflict. The fatal shooting of tusker Kavantissa has renewed calls for stronger protection and an independent investigation; missing elephant Agbo was found safe. Waste and Recycling: A Colombo forum has advanced plans for a South Asian circular-economy framework and 2026–2030 roadmap, targeting plastics, textiles, agriculture, e-waste, construction and tourism. The region generated an estimated 346 million tonnes of municipal waste in 2022. Renewable Energy: A new 10-megawatt solar plant in Ranna is expected to supply about 19 gigawatt-hours of clean power a year and avoid an estimated 12,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. The project’s planned battery storage could also help steady supply and reduce wasted solar power.

Wildlife: Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population exceeds 7,000, intensifying pressure on habitats and raising human-elephant conflict risks, the Wildlife Department says. The fatal shooting of iconic tusker Kavantissa has prompted an independent probe, arrests and promises of stronger protection; elephant Agbo was found safe. Waste & Circular Economy: A Colombo forum is advancing a South Asian circular-economy framework and 2026–30 roadmap, targeting plastics, textiles, agriculture, e-waste, construction and tourism as regional waste volumes grow. Clean Energy: A new 10 MW solar plant in Ranna is expected to supply 19 GWh a year, while planned battery storage could improve grid stability. Weather & Climate: Sri Lanka’s Meteorology Department warned of showers or thunderstorms across much of the island on October 20. Extreme weather is also threatening tea production and export earnings, as El Niño raises wider food-security concerns. Environmental Accountability: The Court of Appeal has issued notice in a wildlife group’s challenge to the Mannar wind-power project; meanwhile, reports say only $1 million of the $1 billion X-Press Pearl compensation order has been paid.

Circular Economy: A South Asian forum in Colombo is working on a regional roadmap for resource efficiency and inclusive growth, with Sri Lanka’s environment minister due to address the meeting. Wildlife Protection: The Prime Minister has vowed action over the killing of tusker Kavantissa. Two suspects have been remanded, while an independent inquiry is examining alleged negligence in the elephant’s treatment; a wildlife hospital and mobile veterinary service are planned for 2027. Wildlife Search: Injured elephant Agbo has been found in the Nachchaduwa forest area with help from the Army. Climate & Agriculture: Extreme weather is contributing to a slump in Sri Lanka’s tea production, threatening export earnings. Renewable Energy: The Court of Appeal has issued notice in a wildlife society’s challenge to the Mannar wind power project.

Wildlife Protection: Five more suspects have been arrested as the investigation into tusker Kavantissa’s shooting widens. Authorities say preliminary findings link the main suspect to the killing and are probing possible wider illegal activity. The Prime Minister has pledged stronger field protection and action against shootings, traps and electrocution. Elephant Rescue: Injured tusker Agbo was found safe in the Nachchaduwa forest reserve, with wildlife officers and Army personnel involved in the search. Renewable Energy: The Court of Appeal has issued notice in a Wildlife and Nature Protection Society challenge to the Mannar wind power project. Climate and Farming: Extreme weather is weighing on Sri Lanka’s tea production and export earnings, while El Niño risks add pressure to food security and the coming cultivation season.

Wildlife: A joint team of 65 Army personnel and wildlife officers is searching near Nachchaduwa for injured elephant Agbo, using drones to locate him and arrange treatment. Tusker Investigation: Police arrested a suspect over the fatal shooting of Kavantissa and seized two firearms; authorities are investigating possible organised elephant killings, while a new community group aims to strengthen wildlife protection. Mannar Wind Project: The Court of Appeal will hear a WNPS challenge alleging that turbines are being built in unapproved locations and numbers, threatening the island’s fragile ecosystem. Climate and Farming: Extreme weather drove September tea output to a 34-year low for high-grown leaves, raising concerns for plantation incomes and exports. Energy Resilience: Sri Lanka’s recent seven-hour blackout renewed calls for an independent inquiry and highlighted questions over grid stability as rooftop solar expands. Elephant Welfare: Thailand’s animal-rights activists are urging the return of two elephants gifted to Sri Lanka; the Environment Ministry says vets are checking their condition.

Wildlife Protection: A suspect has been arrested over the shooting of tusker Kavantissa, with firearms seized from his home. The Environment Ministry has sought a CID probe into suspected organised elephant killings, while experts are to examine the tusker’s remains. Separately, 30 soldiers have joined wildlife officials searching for elephant Agbo in Anuradhapura District. X-Press Pearl: An environmental advocate says only US$1 million has reportedly been paid of the US$1 billion compensation ordered over the 2021 disaster, renewing calls for stronger accountability for environmental damage. Flood Preparedness: A solar-powered sensor and AI forecasting system tested in the Gal Oya basin aims to give disaster managers earlier warning of floods, a persistent threat in Sri Lanka.

X-Press Pearl: An environmental justice advocate says only $1 million of the $1 billion compensation ordered over the disaster has reportedly been paid, renewing calls for international accountability for corporate environmental damage. Flood Warnings: A solar-powered sensor and AI forecasting system trialled on the Gal Oya River aims to give disaster managers earlier notice of floods, a major risk in Sri Lanka. Wildlife: Tusker Kawantissa has died after suffering a gunshot wound; wildlife officials are seeking a court order for an expert post-mortem. His death comes amid reports of shrinking forests and worsening human-elephant conflict. Climate and Food: El Niño risks adding pressure to farms and food security, while experts urge Sri Lanka to invest in climate resilience before extreme weather deepens rural losses.

Flood Preparedness: A solar-powered sensor network on the Gal Oya River is feeding rainfall and water-level data into AI models to forecast flood risk a day ahead, offering a new warning tool for a country where floods have caused heavy losses. Wildlife: Tusker Kavantissa has died after a suspected gunshot injury; wildlife officials will seek a court-ordered post-mortem. His death underscores the threats facing elephants as shrinking forests intensify conflict with people. Climate Resilience: With El Niño expected to bring further pressure, experts are urging Sri Lanka to protect farms and livelihoods before extreme weather causes more damage. Pollution: Sri Lanka is moving to strengthen e-waste management, while tighter environmental laws could bring polluters fines of up to Rs. 20 million and jail terms.