AGP Executive Report

Dengue Update: Sri Lanka has recorded 57,668 dengue cases so far this year, with deaths rising to 36, as Western Province remains the worst affected and health authorities push intensified mosquito control and strict source reduction. Mosquito Control Drive: An island-wide mosquito control programme is underway, with officials urging the public to eliminate breeding sites and regularly inspect premises. Accident Care Insight: The Ministry of Health says 70% of accident-related outpatient cases are animal bites, highlighting the need for faster treatment and better prevention around homes and farms. Cardiac Access: The Health Ministry aims to cut waiting times for cardiac catheterisation from about a year to one month by expanding cath lab capacity from 10 to 26 across the state sector, with new labs commissioned at the National Hospital and other hospitals. Sugar Labelling Rules: Sri Lanka has tightened colour-coded sugar limits for liquid food products: the red category drops to 8g per 100ml, amber is revised to 2.5–8g, and green is under 2.5g. Drug Policy Push: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake ordered a unified national plan to eradicate the drug menace, including school-focused prevention and progress reporting across state institutions. Road Safety Warning: Sri Lanka Police say they will take legal action against pedestrians using headphones/earphones while walking on roads, citing rising accident deaths. Wellness Tourism Boost: Sri Lanka was named the world’s top trending wellness destination for 2026, driven by growing international interest in Hela Ayurveda and holistic healing.

Dengue & mosquito control: Health authorities in Sri Lanka are pushing prevention as dengue and chikungunya risks rise with improving mosquito breeding conditions, with public reminders to avoid bites and stop breeding sites. Animal-bite burden: Sri Lanka’s health data highlights that 70% of accident outpatient cases are animal bites, with officials warning the real toll is higher because many severe cases are admitted or go unreported. Sugar labelling crackdown: The Health Ministry has tightened colour-coded sugar limits for liquid foods: red now starts at over 8g per 100ml (down from 11g), amber is 2.5–8g, and green is under 2.5g, with updated logo display rules. Cardiac care expansion: Government plans aim to cut cardiac catheterisation waiting times from about a year to one month by expanding the state cath lab network from 10 to 26 over coming years. Drug menace push: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake ordered a unified national plan to eradicate drugs, including stronger school prevention efforts and updates on institutional responsibilities. Road safety warning: Police say pedestrians using headphones/earphones on roads will face future legal action as accidents and deaths remain a serious concern. Wellness tourism boost: Sri Lanka has been ranked the world’s top trending wellness destination for 2026, with industry urging stronger destination marketing.

Adolescent HIV/STI Alert: Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are rising among adolescents, with cases identified among both school and university students, prompting urgent coordinated action across health and youth-focused authorities. Dengue Surge: Health officials report Sri Lanka has recorded over 56,000 dengue cases so far this year, with DENV-2 currently dominant; they urge communities to remove mosquito breeding sites and seek prompt care for warning symptoms like high fever and severe headaches. Medicine Shortage Cost Shock: Doctors’ union leaders allege shortages of essential medicines and surgical equipment are forcing patients to pay up to triple prices from private vendors, while also warning that unregistered medicines may be entering illegally. Drug Menace Push: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake calls for a unified national plan to eradicate Sri Lanka’s drug problem, citing that around 70% of the prison population is reportedly addicted and stressing prevention efforts in schools and universities. Disaster Relief Follow-up: For Cyclone Ditwah victims, the government has disbursed over Rs. 24.4 billion in relief and compensation, but thousands remain on waiting lists for full or partial house-damage payments. Public Health & Safety: Authorities warn preventable accidents are killing close to 30 people daily, urging stronger safety education and precaution at home, workplaces, and roads. Anti-Scam Enforcement: The Central Bank expands its list of prohibited pyramid schemes, adding Infinity Rover and naming multiple health-related and lifestyle-linked entities, warning the public against unusually high or guaranteed returns.

Dengue Surge: Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak is worsening, with health authorities reporting 56,422 cases and 35 deaths as of July 1, and officials warning hospitals are under heavy pressure as new infections keep rising. Mosquito Control Push: The response is getting more aggressive, including drones and military support to target mosquitoes, while experts also caution that fogging alone won’t solve the problem without sustained community action. Adolescent STIs Rise: Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says HIV and other STIs are increasing among adolescents, with cases identified among school and university students, prompting coordinated government action. Accident Prevention Urgent: A Ministry of Health briefing highlights that nearly 30 people die daily from preventable accidents, urging stronger safety education at home, workplaces, and on roads. Medicine Shortages Cost Patients: Doctors’ union leaders allege essential medicine and surgical equipment shortages are driving patients to pay over three times normal prices from private vendors, and they warn about illegal imports. Public Warning on Pyramid Schemes: The Central Bank has expanded its list of 25 prohibited pyramid schemes, including several health-related names, urging the public to avoid “guaranteed returns” scams.

Dengue Emergency: Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has surged past 55,000 cases, with hospitals under extreme strain as daily admissions near 1,000 and Colombo’s capacity exhausted; health authorities report 32 deaths so far this year and say June was the worst month. Mosquito Control Push: A three-day dengue prevention program begins July 2, targeting high-risk MOH divisions as officials warn against self-diagnosis and urge early medical care. Hospital Capacity Pressure: Reports describe patients being treated in overcrowded conditions, highlighting the need for faster prevention and stronger clinical response. Public Health Messaging: Experts reiterate that prevention can’t be an afterthought, stressing screening, safer practices, and timely doctor visits. Financial Scams Warning: Sri Lanka’s Central Bank issued a notice naming multiple companies and apps it says are running prohibited pyramid schemes, urging the public to stay alert. Digital Health & Innovation: SLASSCOM’s National Ingenuity Awards 2026 spotlighted Sri Lanka’s tech innovators, while broader digital-health progress is also in focus across the region.

Dengue Surge: Sri Lanka’s dengue cases have crossed 55,000, with June alone recording 21,565 infections and 32 deaths so far this year; Western Province remains the hotspot (29,093 cases). Prevention Push: A three-day dengue prevention program begins July 2, targeting high-risk MOH areas as hospitals report near full capacity. Public Health Warning: Medical experts urge people not to self-diagnose and to seek early care, warning against misuse of steroids and stressing prompt testing. Health Policy Focus: On the eve of National Doctors’ Day, experts called for a stronger preventive healthcare approach—early screening, healthier lifestyles, and wider public awareness. Human Rights Oversight: The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture completed its second visit to Sri Lanka, reviewing efforts to prevent torture and ill-treatment. Digital Innovation: SLASSCOM honoured Sri Lanka’s top digital innovators at the National Ingenuity Awards 2026, highlighting innovation-led growth. Climate Resilience Debate: Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa urged a whole-of-government, science-based plan for climate preparedness ahead of the 2026–2027 El Niño cycle. Health Infrastructure: Kalubowila Hospital unveiled a new cath lab, adding to Sri Lanka’s cardiac care capacity.

Dengue Surge: Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak is now at epidemic levels, with cases topping 50,000 and hospitals nearing full capacity; medical experts are urging the public to stop self-diagnosis, seek care early, and avoid over-reliance on fogging as deaths climb. Prevention First: A commentary warns the country keeps “reacting after disaster” instead of starting mosquito-control and public awareness before the monsoon, calling for sustained action, transparency, and accountability. Clinical Guidance: Doctors also highlight that some people are delaying treatment and that healthcare systems could be overwhelmed if admissions rise further. Mosquito Drones: Sri Lanka is deploying drones to fight mosquitoes as dengue cases surge, alongside calls for more effective vector control. School Food & Junk Food Ban: Sri Lanka has moved to ban junk food and sugary snacks in schools to tackle rising childhood obesity, with penalties being considered for canteen non-compliance. Child Safety Online: Sri Lanka is reportedly debating restrictions on children’s social media access, following moves in other countries to protect kids from online harm. Local Care Capacity: Kalubowila Hospital has unveiled a new cath lab, and the state plans additional cardiac cath labs worth Rs. 1.2 billion to expand services. Pharma Manufacturing Push: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare are setting up a $20m pharma manufacturing JV in Sri Lanka to reduce import dependence and strengthen medicine supply resilience.

Dengue Emergency: Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has surged to epidemic levels, with cases nearing 50,000 and hospitals reporting full capacity as admissions spike; health officials warn against home treatment because patients can deteriorate quickly and call for close monitoring. Mosquito Control Push: The National Dengue Control Unit says a nationwide campaign is underway, including using military drones to scan rooftops for breeding sites and requiring property owners to clear them, while entomologists caution that fumigation alone is ineffective and can harm bees and other beneficial insects. Poson Food Safety: Public Health Inspectors say 18,129 Dansals have been registered for Poson, with plans to shut down any unsafe operations and enforce food safety checks during the festival. Pharma Manufacturing Boost: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare announced a $20m joint venture to set up a pharmaceutical plant in Horana, aiming to strengthen local supply and reduce import dependence. Climate Resilience Call: Sajith Premadasa urged a whole-of-government, science-based approach to climate resilience and disaster preparedness as ENSO risks loom.

Dengue Emergency: Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has surged to epidemic levels, with cases crossing 53,000 and hospitals reporting full capacity as hundreds of new patients arrive daily; doctors warn against home treatment and stress early testing because dengue can look like flu at first. Mosquito Control Push: The Air Force has started using military drones to scan rooftops for mosquito breeding sites, with property owners required to clear them or face fines, as officials try to prevent beds from running out. Fogging Debate: Health entomologists say fumigation alone is ineffective and can harm bees and dragonflies while increasing insecticide resistance—source reduction is key. Clinical Upgrades: Kalubowila’s South Colombo Teaching Hospital is set to open new cardiac cath lab and related advanced units on June 30, alongside additional cath labs planned for the government hospital network. Public Health at Poson: Inspectors report 18,129 Dansals for Poson and say unsafe sites may be shut down, with food safety checks during the period. Pharmacy Role: A local professional update highlights pharmacists stepping beyond dispensing into broader patient care and stronger governance.

Dengue Crisis Escalates: Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has surged past 53,000 cases this year, with June alone seeing a sharp jump and dozens of deaths reported, pushing hospitals toward full capacity. Mosquito Control Under Scrutiny: Health entomologists warn that fogging/fumigation is not a long-term fix, can harm beneficial insects, and should not replace removing breeding sites. Hospitals Overwhelmed: Doctors’ groups say dengue patients need close monitoring and should not be treated at home as wards fill up and staffing shortages add pressure. New Tactics in the Fight: Authorities are deploying military drones to scan for mosquito breeding hotspots on rooftops. Public Health Messaging: Experts also reject claims that the surge is due to a new dengue strain, pointing instead to circulating serotype shifts. Cardiac Care Boost: Kalubowila’s South Colombo Teaching Hospital is set to open a new cath lab and related units, as Sri Lanka expands advanced heart treatment capacity. Poson Food Safety: Public health inspectors report 18,129 Dansals organized for Poson and say unsafe outlets may be shut down after inspections.

Dengue Alert (Sri Lanka): Health experts say there’s no scientific basis for claims of a “new dengue strain” driving the surge; they point instead to the changing dominance of dengue serotype 2 (DENV-2). Outbreak Numbers: Sri Lanka has reported 51,049 dengue cases and 31 deaths so far this year, with 124 MOH divisions flagged as high-risk. Prevention Push: The National Dengue Control Unit says a new circular will soon launch daily village-level dengue control via Community Empowerment Committees, with activities scaled back to weekly once risk drops. Vector Control Warning: Officials caution against over-reliance on fogging, saying it only reduces adult mosquitoes and isn’t a long-term fix. Hospital Upgrade (Cardiac Care): Kalubowila’s South Colombo Teaching Hospital will open a new cath lab on June 30, alongside DSA and lithotripsy units, as Sri Lanka expands advanced cardiac services. Pharma Investment: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare are setting up a major pharma manufacturing JV in Sri Lanka (Horana), aiming to strengthen local supply and reduce import dependence.

Dengue Outbreak Response: Sri Lanka’s dengue crisis is now at epidemic levels, with 51,049 cases and 31 deaths reported so far this year. Health authorities say the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern provinces are hardest hit, and 124 MOH divisions are flagged as high-risk. Prevention Focus: Experts warn against over-relying on fogging, saying it only reduces adult mosquitoes and can’t replace proper source control. Daily Village Programme: A new circular is set to roll out daily village-level dengue control via Community Empowerment Committees, with Grama Niladhari, MOH and Public Health Inspectors leading environmental cleaning and removal of breeding sites. Cardiac Care Expansion: South Colombo Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila) is set to open new advanced services on June 30, including a cardiac catheterisation lab (Cath Lab), DSA unit and lithotripsy. Cancer Treatment Delay: The Health Professionals’ Association says radiotherapy planning is stalled as a CT Simulation machine has been out of use due to a roof water leak, delaying nearly 1,000 cancer patients. Pharma Manufacturing Push: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare are moving ahead with a $20m+ pharma JV in Horana to strengthen local medicine production. Access to Eye Care: HelpAge, with COSL, completed 1,900 free cataract surgeries for underprivileged seniors and plans more before year-end.

Dengue Alert: Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has hit epidemic levels, with cases topping 50,000 and health officials reporting 600–700 new cases daily, driven by mosquito breeding and weak public participation; authorities are running intensified clean-up and awareness drives in 600 high-risk Grama Niladhari divisions. Cancer Care Disruption: The Health Professionals’ Association warns nearly 1,000 cancer patients face radiotherapy delays because a CT Simulation machine has been out of use since late April due to a water leak, making proper treatment planning “practically impossible.” Pharma Manufacturing Boost: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare launched a $20m joint venture to build a pharmaceutical plant in Horana (BOI zone), aiming to strengthen local production, improve medicine access, and reduce import dependence. Food Safety for Poson: Public Health Inspectors say more Poson Dansals have been registered than Vesak and are urging organisers to avoid plastic/polythene and dispose of cups properly to reduce dengue risk. Road Accident Update: After an SLTB bus crash near Diyatalawa railway crossing, 35 people remain hospitalised, with 42 admitted initially and 7 discharged. Community Eye Health: HelpAge, with COSL, completed free cataract surgeries for 1,900 underprivileged seniors in multiple districts, using government hospitals to cut waiting lists. Regional Cooperation: A France-led seminar in Kathmandu brought Sri Lanka and others together to strengthen cross-border action against waste trafficking.

Dengue Emergency: Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has hit epidemic levels, with cases topping 50,000 and deaths reported at 29, as health officials say the country is seeing about 600–700 new cases daily amid mosquito breeding and weak public participation; a special clean-up and awareness drive is underway in 600 high-risk Grama Niladhari divisions. Cancer Care Strain: The Health Professionals’ Association warns nearly 1,000 cancer patients face radiotherapy delays because a CT Simulation machine has been out of use since late April due to a water leak, making proper treatment planning “practically impossible.” Eye Health Support: HelpAge Sri Lanka, with the College of Ophthalmologists, completed free cataract surgeries for 1,900 underprivileged seniors in multiple districts, using government hospitals to cut waiting lists and planning 6,000 more. Pharma Supply & Safety: Six suspects were remanded over an alleged Rs. 48.3 million smuggling of pharmaceutical creams into Sri Lanka without customs duties, proper National Medicines Regulatory Authority approval, or quality checks. Local Health Access & Transport Risk: Two separate SLTB bus incidents near Diyatalawa Railway Station left 40–42 injured, with patients admitted to Diyatalawa Base Hospital and investigations ongoing. Health Sector Investment: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare announced a $20+ million pharma manufacturing JV in Horana to boost local medicine production and reduce import dependence.

Cardiac Care Upgrade: Sri Lanka’s state hospitals are set to receive four new cardiac cath labs worth Rs. 1.2 billion, with units scheduled for Jaffna Teaching Hospital (June 27), Colombo South Teaching Hospital (June 30) and two at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (July 2), aiming to cut waiting times and improve heart procedure accuracy. Pharma Localisation Push: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare have launched a 50:50 JV to build a pharma manufacturing facility in Horana (BOI zone) with an investment commitment of over $20 million, targeting Sri Lanka’s retail market and reducing import dependence through technology transfer and local capability building. Dengue Tech & Control: Exterminators PLC and Sentario UK launched the MACCP X Mosquito Intelligence Platform, an AI-powered system for mosquito risk mapping and earlier disease surveillance across Sri Lanka. School Nutrition & Obesity Prevention: Sri Lanka has moved to ban junk food and sugary snacks in schools to tackle rising childhood obesity, alongside efforts to enforce healthy canteen guidelines. Dengue Surge Context: With dengue cases rising and control drives underway, public health messaging continues to stress early action and mosquito-breeding prevention. Public Health Integrity: Police have remanded six suspects over an alleged Rs. 48.3 million pharmaceutical cream smuggling case, including claims of missing customs duties, regulatory approvals and quality checks.

Cardiac Care Upgrade: Sri Lanka’s state hospitals are set to receive four new cardiac cath labs worth Rs. 1.2 billion, with units planned for Jaffna Teaching Hospital (June 27), Colombo South Teaching Hospital (June 30) and two at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (July 2), aiming to cut waiting times and improve access to minimally invasive heart procedures. Pharma Manufacturing Push: Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare Lanka have launched a 50:50 JV to build a $20 million pharmaceutical facility in Horana, strengthening local production and reducing import dependence. Dengue Response Intensifies: Authorities are expanding islandwide mosquito control, including a coordinated rural-level system and inspections to find breeding sites as dengue cases surge. Child Online Safety Debate: A private bill proposes banning social media access for children under 16, with the Child Affairs Minister empowered to regulate usage limits and access hours. Public Health Tech for Mosquitoes: Exterminators launched the MACCP X mosquito intelligence platform, using AI for early risk mapping and disease surveillance across Sri Lanka. Injury Update: Nearly 40 passengers were injured in a head-on bus collision in Matara, with victims admitted to regional hospitals.