AGP Executive Report

Clean Energy: Solar installations at three Sri Lankan hotels total 1,300 kWp and are expected to avoid about 1,356 tonnes of carbon emissions a year; Sigenergy has also launched its smart-energy business in the country. Human–Elephant Conflict: A Reuters report from Galgamuwa links forest clearing and shrinking habitat to deadly encounters: since 2019, an average of 138 people and 402 elephants have died each year. Palk Bay: India and Sri Lanka should focus beyond the Katchatheevu dispute on depleted fish stocks and destructive fishing practices threatening the bay’s marine resources. Climate Risks: A regional outlook sees very strong El Niño conditions likely to persist through October–December, a crucial rainfall season for Sri Lanka; the central bank has warned climate impacts could weigh on economic recovery. Environmental Enforcement: Sri Lanka is tightening environmental laws, with polluters facing fines of up to Rs. 20 million and possible jail.

Wildlife: Authorities have placed offices in areas used by Kavantissa, Sri Lanka’s tallest living tusker, on high alert as veterinarians monitor his health and provide treatment. Climate and Farming: El Niño risks are prompting banks to prepare farmers, while drought has left wells low and pushed wildlife toward shrinking water sources. Commercial Bank says its awareness programme reached more than 1,100 farmers across 15 locations. Conservation: Yala’s Zones 1 and 1A are set to reopen on October 16 after a drought-related closure. Pollution Control: Sri Lanka is tightening environmental laws, with polluters facing fines of up to Rs. 20 million and possible jail terms; the government is also moving to strengthen e-waste management. Clean Energy: Pan Asia Bank is financing solar-powered irrigation for small-scale farmers in the North Central Province, aiming to cut fossil-fuel use and irrigation costs.

Climate Risks: Sri Lanka’s central bank warns severe El Niño conditions could strain households, businesses and lenders, compounding risks from Cyclone Ditwah’s devastating damage. The Institute of Policy Studies says climate resilience and energy security must be built into development planning, not left to emergency response. Wildlife and Drought: Yala’s Zones 1 and 1A are due to reopen on October 16 after a drought closure, as reports describe wells drying and wildlife crowding around shrinking water sources. Environmental Enforcement: New penalties of up to Rs. 20 million and jail time aim to strengthen action against polluters, while the Government is also moving to improve e-waste management. Elephant Protection: The Court of Appeal has ordered authorities to act to prevent elephant deaths in train collisions.

Climate and Water: Sri Lanka’s central bank warns severe El Niño conditions could deepen climate risks for households, businesses and lenders. Cabinet has also cleared US$100 million in ADB funding for water-sector reforms, including measures to address climate risks. Biodiversity: A photo shared online helped researchers record a new, highly localized native balsam species in Kithulgala. A separate study confirms Sri Lankan cobras form a genetically distinct lineage, though their status as a separate species remains unresolved. Wildlife and Drought: Yala’s Zones 1 and 1A are set to reopen on October 16 after a drought closure, as farmers contend with dry wells and wildlife crowding shrinking water holes. Environmental Protection: Sri Lanka is tightening environmental laws, with polluters facing fines of up to Rs.20 million and possible jail. A court has also ordered authorities to act to prevent elephant deaths in train collisions.

Environmental Enforcement: Sri Lanka is tightening environmental laws, with polluters facing fines of up to Rs20 million and possible jail time; the Government is also moving to strengthen e-waste management. Wildlife and Drought: Yala’s Zones 1 and 1A are set to reopen on October 16 after a month-long drought closure. Across the dry zone, farmers’ wells have run low and wildlife are gathering at shrinking waterholes. Urban Heat: Passive cooling could help Colombo residents cope with rising temperatures and reduce reliance on air conditioning, but dense development, dust and poor surroundings can make natural ventilation difficult. Human-Elephant Conflict: A reservoir project at Thabbowa is being promoted as a way to reduce conflict by improving conditions for elephants.

E-waste: Sri Lanka is preparing stronger rules and a national collection and recycling system, including proposed producer-responsibility requirements. Environmental Enforcement: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says illegal hazardous-waste disposal could bring fines of up to Rs. 20 million and jail time; wetland destruction could incur fines of up to Rs. 10 million. Wildlife: Yala’s Zones 1 and 1A are due to reopen on October 16 after a month-long drought closure. At Thabbowa Tank, clearing invasive plants is helping restore elephant feeding grounds, with plans to extend the approach elsewhere. Urban Heat: As Colombo warms, engineers say natural ventilation and other passive-cooling measures could reduce reliance on fans and air conditioners, though dense development and poor air quality limit their use. Clean Energy: A 10 MW/40 MWh battery storage system has begun operating in Galle, supporting renewable power and grid flexibility. Meanwhile, debate over proposed rooftop-solar payment changes highlights the challenge of balancing grid upgrades with continued private investment.

Clean Energy: A 10 MW/40 MWh battery storage facility has been commissioned in Galle, adding utility-scale storage to Sri Lanka’s energy system. Coastal Protection: Plans to open Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park to tourists face legal and conservation objections over risks to fragile bird habitats and doubts about enforcement. Wildlife: A habitat project around Thabbowa Reservoir is showing promise in keeping elephants from villages, while the Court of Appeal has ordered measures to prevent elephant deaths on railway lines. Pollution and Waste: Sri Lanka is introducing roadside surveillance to identify smoke-emitting vehicles, and stricter controls are planned for boat operations on Madu Ganga. Colombo’s clean-up drive is targeting drainage and waste management. Water Stress: Drought has left farmers watching wells dry and wildlife crowd shrinking water holes, underscoring pressure on both communities and ecosystems.

Human–Elephant Conflict: A habitat project around Thabbowa Reservoir aims to keep wild elephants from entering villages for food and water; officials say early results are promising. Separately, the Court of Appeal has ordered action to prevent train collisions after seven elephants died. Conservation: A plan to open Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park to tourists on October 15 faces legal and conservation warnings over fragile bird habitats and doubts about enforcement. The government is also moving to declare Diyagama forest a reserve. Pollution: Sri Lanka is introducing roadside surveillance to identify vehicles emitting excessive smoke. Water & Wildlife: Drought is leaving farmers’ wells dry and drawing wildlife to shrinking water holes. Clean Energy: A 10 MW battery storage system in Galle has begun operating, adding grid support as Sri Lanka expands solar and wind power.

Wetland Protection: Authorities are tightening controls on tourist boats on the Madu Ganga, where about 327 boats risk worsening riverbank erosion, mangrove damage and harm to fish-breeding grounds. Wildlife Safety: The Court of Appeal has ordered action to prevent elephants being killed in train collisions, after a crash claimed seven animals. Urban Environment: Colombo’s Clean Colombo review focused on drainage, sewerage and waste management; a new roadside monitoring unit will also target vehicles emitting excessive smoke. Drought Pressure: Farmers in Sri Lanka’s dry zone are facing empty wells as wildlife crowd shrinking water holes, intensifying pressure on people and animals. Forest Conservation: The government is moving to declare Diyagama forest a reserve.

Wetland Protection: Authorities are tightening controls on tourist boats on the Madu Ganga, where about 327 boats operate. Officials cite riverbank erosion, mangrove damage and disruption to aquatic life. Wildlife Safety: The Court of Appeal has ordered action to prevent elephant deaths on railway lines after a collision killed seven elephants. Urban Environment: Clean Colombo officials reviewed plans to improve waste management, drainage and sewerage, while a new roadside unit will identify smoke-emitting vehicles and order repairs. Drought: Farmers are facing dry wells as wildlife crowds shrinking waterholes, underscoring pressure on people and animals in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. Renewable Energy: A 10 MW/40 MWh battery storage system has begun operating in Galle, adding grid flexibility as the country expands solar and wind power.

Clean Energy: Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar fleet has reached 2,472 MW, but the Government’s move to scrap two grid-connection schemes is weakening demand for new installations. Wildlife Protection: The Court of Appeal has ordered action to prevent elephant deaths on railway lines, while a gunshot wound to tusker Kavantissa has renewed concern over protection of wild elephants. Forest Conservation: The Government plans to declare Diyagama forest a reserve; researchers have recorded nearly 120 plant and animal species there, including the rare red slender loris. Water Stress: Drought is leaving farmers’ wells dry and pushing wildlife to gather at shrinking waterholes. Urban Environment: Colombo’s clean-up programme targets drainage, sewerage and waste management. Marine Protection: Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister welcomed an Indian Supreme Court call to keep Tamil Nadu fishers out of Lankan waters, citing damage to seabeds and coastal livelihoods from destructive fishing.

Wildlife Safety: The Court of Appeal has ordered State agencies to act to prevent elephant deaths on railway lines, following a collision that killed seven elephants. Forest Protection: The Government plans to declare Diyagama forest a reserve; researchers have identified nearly 120 plant and animal species there, including the red slender loris. Urban Environment: Clean Colombo’s programme is targeting sewerage networks, drainage canals and waste management. Air Quality: A new “Emission Eye” unit will photograph smoke-belching vehicles and require owners to repair them, with non-compliant vehicles potentially blacklisted. Drought: Reports from farming areas describe wells running dry and wildlife crowding shrinking water holes, showing how drought is tightening pressure on both communities and animals. Resilient Buildings: Sri Lanka has begun developing its first National Building Code, intended to improve construction safety and resilience to natural disasters.

Drought and Wildlife: Months of low rainfall and high temperatures have left wells dry, damaged crops and squeezed farming communities. Wildlife in Yala is also gathering around dwindling waterholes, with authorities trucking in water. Experts say El Niño and human-driven warming may be contributing. Mannar Oil Exploration: Sri Lanka is offering four offshore blocks to international investors, but the basin’s resources are not yet proven commercially viable. The push puts energy security alongside questions about environmental safeguards and responsible exploration. Marine Protection: Sri Lanka’s fisheries minister welcomed an Indian Supreme Court call for Tamil Nadu fishers to stay out of Sri Lankan waters, citing risks from destructive fishing to marine habitats and Northern Province livelihoods. Climate Accountability: Siyapatha Finance says its 2025 greenhouse-gas emissions statement has received independent verification, a step toward more transparent corporate climate reporting.

Drought and Wildlife: Months of low rainfall have dried wells and damaged crops in central Sri Lanka, while wildlife crowds shrinking water holes. Tankers are supplying villagers and animals; experts point to El Niño and rising temperatures as possible contributors. Marine Protection: Sri Lanka’s fisheries minister welcomed an Indian Supreme Court call to warn Tamil Nadu fishers against entering Sri Lankan waters. Fishers say bottom trawling is damaging marine habitats and threatening Northern and Northwestern livelihoods. Urban Pollution: Plastic and other waste piled along the Serpentine Canal in Dematagoda is polluting the area and creating health risks, prompting calls for cleanup and measures to stop repeat dumping. Conservation and Clean Energy: Sri Lanka’s ENDEMICS Project is supporting restoration for threatened native plants, while the country has secured US$57.4 million for rooftop solar and virtual net metering.

Drought and Wildlife: Months of drought have dried reservoirs and wells, leaving farmers short of water and drawing wildlife to shrinking waterholes. Unusually high temperatures are adding to the strain, with experts pointing to climate change alongside El Niño. Marine Resources: India’s Supreme Court urged Tamil Nadu fishermen to respect Sri Lankan waters amid continuing arrests. India’s attorney general cited pollution and declining fish stocks on the Indian side as factors driving crossings, underscoring pressure on shared marine resources. Greener Tourism: New EU rules require environmental claims to be backed by recognised certification or clear data, raising the bar for Sri Lankan hotels and tour operators marketing sustainability to European visitors. Clean Energy and Resilience: Sri Lanka secured about US$57.5 million for rooftop solar and virtual net metering, while the World Bank approved US$110 million for climate-resilient roads.

Green Tourism: EU rules now require tourism businesses to back environmental claims with verifiable proof, putting pressure on Sri Lankan hotels and tour operators to substantiate “eco-friendly” marketing. Clean Energy & Resilience: Sri Lanka secured US$57.4 million for rooftop solar and virtual net metering, while the World Bank approved US$110 million for 600km of climate-resilient roads. Wildlife: A proposed rice mill at Mihikatha has raised concerns over threats to Ampara’s elephants, as community-led conservation efforts draw attention to local stewardship. Marine Protection: Sri Lanka is seeking a new date for talks with India on illegal bottom trawling, a dispute with consequences for marine habitats and fishing communities. Farming Policy: The fertilizer import ban has returned to debate, reviving questions about how to pursue environmental goals without disrupting farmers and food production.