AGP Executive Report

Sri Lankan Cinema Spotlight: A new UK 4K restoration of Sumitra Peries’s The Girls (Gehenu Lamai, 1978) is reigniting interest in Sri Lanka’s film history, from early cinema halls to landmark sound film Broken Promise (1947) and the social-political wave of directors like Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries. Cricket & Culture in the Region: FanCode has been named digital streaming partner for India of the Lanka Premier League 2026, with full live coverage from July 17 to Aug 8. Sports Diplomacy: Sri Lanka’s cultural dance show Kanya was staged in Karachi by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi with Sri Lanka’s Consulate, featuring performances and an oil-lamp ceremony. Local Sports Results: Rukmal (Uva) and Kalhari Madirika (Southern) won the National Race Walking Championship titles in Colombo. Film Industry Buzz: IFFM 2026 nominations highlighted Sitaare Zameen Par, Saiyaara and Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 across top categories. Fashion & Work Realities: A report on extreme heat’s impact on garment supply chains in India adds a human lens to fashion’s global push.

LPL Streaming Deal: Sri Lanka Cricket’s Lanka Premier League 2026 has signed FanCode as its digital streaming partner for India, with all matches live from July 17 to August 8. Women’s Cricket Momentum: ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta says women’s cricket is expanding faster, with growth driven by new markets and rising performance standards. Durand Cup Spotlight: President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off Durand Cup 2026 trophies, highlighting football’s role in unity and noting a Sri Lanka team among new entrants. ICC Sanction: West Indies were fined 10% of match fees and docked two WTC points for slow over-rate against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe T20I Call-Ups: Newman Nyamhuri and Milton Shumba were added to Zimbabwe’s T20I squad for Bangladesh, with Sikandar Raza set to captain. Tech & Culture: Sri Lanka ranks 83rd globally in Claude AI usage, with homework help the top use. Expo 2027 Deadline: Sri Lanka Expo 2027 exhibitor registration is open online until July 31 at BMICH, Colombo. Sports Infrastructure: Construction began on Sri Lanka’s first public heated swimming pool in Bandarawela.

Cricket & Sports: West Indies ended a 23-year Test drought against Sri Lanka, drawing the second Test in Antigua to seal a 1-0 series win, with Justin Greaves’ 180 and Sri Lanka’s late push falling short. T20 Squad News: Zimbabwe named Newman Nyamhuri and Milton Shumba for a three-match T20I series vs Bangladesh, with Sikandar Raza set to captain. Local Track & Field: Rukmal (Uva) and Kalhari Madirika (Southern) won the National Race Walking titles in Colombo. Arts & Culture: Sri Lankan director Sumitra Peries’ classic film The Girls gets spotlight in a thoughtful review. Tech & Society: Sri Lanka ranks 83rd globally in Claude AI usage, with homework help topping conversation topics. Travel & Lifestyle: Emirates adds a second daily A350 service on the Dubai–Colombo route from 8 August, and a Sri Lanka steam-rail luxury tour through tea country is featured. Digital Payments: Dialog launched Dialog Pay in the MyDialog app, aiming to boost Lanka QR payments nationwide. Football: India’s Durand Cup 2026 trophies were unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu, with a Sri Lanka team included.

Sri Lanka–West Indies Cricket: West Indies sealed a rare Test series win over Sri Lanka after the second Test at Antigua ended in a draw, with Justin Greaves’ 180 and Shai Hope’s century helping West Indies post 499 and set up a 302 target that Sri Lanka couldn’t chase. Navy Leadership: Rear Admiral Ravindra Tissera was appointed Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, taking over at Navy HQ after a formal handover. Durand Cup 2026 (Football): India’s President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the Durand Cup 2026 trophies, highlighting football’s power to unite communities and welcoming a Sri Lankan team, with matches across multiple Indian cities starting July 25. Pakistan Women’s Tour Update: Fatima Sana will miss Sri Lanka’s T20Is to join England’s The Hundred after playing the ODI leg. Local Sports Spotlight: Sri Lanka’s Nilakshika Silva made the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament, even as West Indies players were left out. Digital Payments: Dialog Pay launched in Sri Lanka, bundling connectivity, payments and financial services via Lanka QR across a large retail network. Tragedy in Negombo: Prison clashes in Negombo left at least 25 dead and over 100 injured, according to reports.

Durand Cup 2026: President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the Durand Cup trophies, kicking off preparations for Asia’s oldest football tournament and highlighting Sri Lanka’s participation as the event expands to new venues. Digital Payments: Dialog Axiata launched Dialog Pay inside the MyDialog app, aiming to unify connectivity, payments and financial services via Lanka QR across 100,000+ outlets. US–Sri Lanka Cultural Ties: The U.S. Embassy’s “Freedom 250” celebration used America’s 250th independence anniversary to spotlight growing people-to-people links, including the role of cinema. Cricket (Sri Lanka vs West Indies): Justin Greaves’ 180 and Shai Hope’s 112 kept West Indies in control in the second Test, leaving Sri Lanka chasing a draw as the series situation tightens. Women’s Cricket: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament was announced with no West Indies players selected, while Sri Lanka’s Nilakshika Silva made the XI. Chess: Indian prodigies Abhijeet Gupta, Aswath S and Kushagra Mohan stayed in the title race at the Pune International Grandmaster event heading into the final round. Arts & Entertainment: City of Dreams Sri Lanka (Melco) brought a global luxury-entertainment brand to Colombo, promising immersive shows and dining experiences. Public Safety: Deadly clashes inside Negombo prison left at least 25 dead and 100+ injured, underscoring urgent concerns around prison security.

Prison Tragedy: Clashes between rival inmate groups at Negombo prison (Sri Lanka) have left at least 25 dead and over 100 injured, with police and officials still accounting for casualties as investigations continue. Cricket—Sri Lanka vs West Indies: Justin Greaves’ marathon 180 helped West Indies reach 499 in reply in the second Test, leaving Sri Lanka under pressure as the match heads toward a likely draw. Pakistan Red-Ball Reset: Babar Azam says his comeback as Pakistan Test captain will be built on discipline, fitness and performance ahead of West Indies and England tours. India Squad Moves: India named maiden T20I call-ups for Harsh Dubey, Prabhsimran Singh, Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma for Zimbabwe, while Sanju Samson was left out. Local Arts & Entertainment: Melco Resorts and Entertainment is spotlighting City of Dreams Sri Lanka in Colombo, bringing its global luxury-resort and live-entertainment brand to Sri Lanka. Sports Culture: A feature looks at how Sri Lankan rugby commentators helped preserve schools rugby memories—turning voices into part of the sport’s history.

Cricket (India): Shivam Dube has been called up to replace injured Nitish Kumar Reddy for India’s three-match ODI series vs England, starting July 14 in Birmingham. Cricket (India): The BCCI named a 15-man T20I squad for Zimbabwe, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earning a maiden call-up and Sanju Samson left out; Shreyas Iyer captains in Harare. Football (FIFA row): The EU says FIFA’s Balogun suspension reversal should follow “objective and transparent criteria,” while Belgium’s federation says FIFA rushed the process and is still seeking a full explanation. Cricket (Sri Lanka): West Indies fought back in the 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka, reaching 318/4 at stumps on Day 3, led by Hope and Greaves. Local sports (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka’s netball community is reacting after reports of threats against head coach Somitha de Alwis during an international friendly. Public safety (Sri Lanka): A deadly riot at the Negombo prison has left at least 25 dead and about 100 injured, with authorities investigating the trigger. Health (Sri Lanka): “Stop Dengue Now” is ramping up in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara as cases rise. Sports media (India): Delhi High Court orders blocks on eight piracy sites streaming Sony’s cricket coverage.

Women’s Cricket Spotlight: Ellyse Perry matched Alyssa Healy’s record for most Women’s T20 World Cup final appearances as Australia set up the 2026 final, while England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge also hit a tournament milestone, and Player of the Tournament contenders were named ahead of the Lord’s showdown. Sri Lanka Test Drama: In the 2nd Test in Antigua, Shai Hope and Justin Greaves steadied West Indies to 318-4 at stumps, chasing survival after Sri Lanka declared on 549-9. India A vs Sri Lanka A: Gurnoor Brar’s career-best 10-wicket haul powered India A to a 10-wicket win in Galle and a 1-0 series lead. Pakistan Cricket Shake-up: Babar Azam was reinstated as Pakistan Test captain after Shan Masood’s axing, with selectors citing poor results. Arts & Culture (Pop Culture): A Sri Lanka mall “Uniqlo-style” store called Nicknack is drawing attention for its knockoff branding, including “Pikachus,” sparking online chatter. Sports Business Angle: FIFA’s economic gains were discussed, including modest export dividends for Pakistan through football and sportswear demand.

Cricket—Sri Lanka vs West Indies: Sri Lanka piled on in the 2nd Test in Antigua, declaring at 549/9 after another big batting push led by Sonal Dinusha (92) and Kusal Mendis (69), while West Indies ended day two on 58/1, still 491 behind. Cricket—India A’s red-ball statement: Gurnoor Brar’s career-best 10-wicket haul powered India A to a 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test at Galle, sealing the series 1-0. Cricket—Bumrah return: Jasprit Bumrah has started red-ball practice ahead of India’s ODI series vs England and the upcoming Tests in Sri Lanka. Women’s Cricket—World Cup final build-up: England and Australia set for the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s, with Ellyse Perry and Smriti Mandhana among the Player of the Tournament contenders. Arts & Culture—F1 meets South Asian heritage: Formula 1 kicked off South Asian Heritage Month at Silverstone with a Punjabi bhangra performance on the grid. Housing—Colombo uplift: The Rs. 5.784 billion Kirulapone apartment complex opened for low-income families, supported by the AIIB.

Sri Lanka Test Cricket: Sri Lanka piled on runs on day two of the second Test in Antigua, declaring at 9-549 after a 143-run sixth-wicket stand between Sonal Dinusha (92) and Kusal Mendis (69), leaving West Indies 1-58 and 491 behind. South Asian Heritage at Silverstone: F1 kicked off South Asian Heritage Month with Punjabi Bhangra dancers and drummers on the Sprint grid, drawing huge crowds to a record-breaking British Grand Prix weekend. Women’s Cricket Spotlight: West Indies captain Hayley Matthews blamed the widening gap in women’s cricket on uneven investment and structures, arguing that talent alone no longer closes the distance. Deaf Cricket Breakthrough: India’s women’s deaf team is set for a historic first international T20 tour to Sri Lanka for a five-match series, with the squad’s jersey unveiled in New Delhi. Cricket Records & Debate: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made a record-breaking India debut at 15 years and 99 days in Manchester against England, while Matthew Hayden and Chaminda Vaas urged fans to avoid copying his style blindly and to give him time to grow. Arts & Culture: Mumbai’s Parda Faash 3.0 opened with “Acts of Hope” themes, spotlighting independent South Asian cinema on identity, migration and resilience. Local Sports Governance Watch: Sri Lanka karate faces fresh criticism after the federation’s suspension, with officials alleging interim committees failed to deliver meaningful development.

Cricket Spotlight: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, made a historic India debut in the 2nd T20I vs England at Old Trafford, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record as India’s youngest international player. Sri Lanka Sports: In the West Indies vs Sri Lanka Test, Lahiru Udara struck a maiden Test century (188) to lift Sri Lanka to 338/5 on day one of the 2nd Test. Local Sports & Talent: In an unofficial Test in Galle, Sai Sudharsan’s career-best 168 powered India A to a 175-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka A. Women’s Cricket (Regional First): India’s women’s deaf team will tour Sri Lanka for a five-match T20 series from July 7–13, marking their first international T20 trip. Arts & Culture: Mumbai’s Parda Faash 3.0 film festival opened with “Acts of Hope,” spotlighting South Asian stories of identity, migration and resilience. Community & Health: HelpAge Sri Lanka plans 3,000 free cataract surgeries before year-end to tackle age-related vision loss. Arts & Entertainment (Stage): Soul Sounds returns to Lionel Wendt Theatre on July 12 with “The Pop Era,” a pop-hits musical journey across decades.

LPL 2026 Launch Buzz: The Lanka Premier League returns with a headline-grabbing 500-drone opening ceremony at SSC Colombo, with tickets via BookMyShow from 1 July and a big “stadium-style” entertainment push alongside the T20 action. Road Safety & Everyday Culture: Sri Lanka Police warn they’ll move from warnings to court action against pedestrians using phones with headphones/earphones while walking on roads, citing rising accidents and deaths. Music & Live Theatre: Soul Sounds brings “The Pop Era” to Lionel Wendt Theatre on 12 July, while London’s Belvoir St Theatre stages “The Jungle and the Sea” (July 11–Aug 2), a war-time family story with live Carnatic music. Sports Spotlight: West Indies make injury-driven changes for the 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka, with Kemar Roach ruled out and Shai Hope returning as wicketkeeper. Diplomacy Through Culture: Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Qatar discusses cultural cooperation with Katara Cultural Village, including plans for film screenings and a Sri Lanka art installation.

Cultural Diplomacy: Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Qatar, Sithara Khan, met Katara Cultural Village GM Prof. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti to explore new cultural cooperation, including a proposed Sri Lanka art installation and film screenings to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties. LPL Entertainment: Lanka Premier League 2026 kicks off at SSC Colombo with a 500-drone opening ceremony; tickets go on sale July 1 via BookMyShow. Stage & Memory: “The Jungle and the Sea” returns to Belvoir St Theatre (July 11–Aug 2), a war-era family story blending real testimonies with Carnatic music. Hospitality Branding: Uga Resorts rebrands two east-coast properties under “an Uga Experience,” spotlighting destination-led stays in Trincomalee and Pigeon Island. Artisan Sustainability: TFGL and GLX launch “Hyacinthesis,” an eight-month market-driven accelerator turning water hyacinth into craft and livelihoods. Colombo Nightscape: Majestic Electric upgrades Bank of Ceylon’s head office with dynamic, energy-efficient facade lighting. Road Safety: Sri Lanka Police warn they’ll take legal action against pedestrians using headphones/earphones while walking on roads. Music at Cricket’s Big Stage: Rita Ora and Clean Bandit headline the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final celebrations at Lord’s on July 5.

Tech & Connectivity: Dialog Axiata launched Dialog Air Fibre, Sri Lanka’s first 5G-powered ultra-fast wireless home WiFi, with plans from Rs. 2,795 and a built-in battery for up to six hours during outages, plus free access to 100+ TV channels via Dialog Play. Cricket (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed India’s return for a two-Test series in August (Aug 15–19 in Galle, Aug 23–27 in Colombo), both starting 10:00am local time, as part of the WTC 2025-27 race. Cricket (Injury Update): Pathum Nissanka was ruled out of the second Test vs West Indies after wrist surgery in London, a major blow ahead of the July 3 match in Antigua. Arts & Culture (Cinema): The U.S. Embassy marked “Freedom 250” with an immersive cinema-focused celebration in Sri Lanka, linking American independence ideals to film storytelling. Music & Sport: Rita Ora will headline the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final closing ceremony at Lord’s on July 5, with Clean Bandit performing after the match. Sports (Fielding/Performance): England’s turnaround story highlights how fitness and fielding drills helped fix earlier woes, with coach Charlotte Edwards pushing strict standards.

Cricket (Sri Lanka–India): India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka is officially set for August 15–27, with the 1st Test at Galle International Stadium (Aug 15, 10:00am IST) and the 2nd at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo (Aug 23, 10:00am IST). It’s India’s first red-ball visit in nine years and a key World Test Championship push for both sides. Women’s Cricket + Music: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at Lord’s on July 5 will feature Rita Ora headlining the closing ceremony, with Clean Bandit performing after the trophy presentation. Arts + Culture (UAE–South Asia): Zayed National Museum opened applications for its Dh1 million 2026 Research Fund, spotlighting UAE heritage and research into UAE links with South Asia, including Sri Lanka. Public Safety (Business/Entertainment): Sri Lanka’s Central Bank updated its list of prohibited pyramid schemes, adding Infinity Rover (Pvt) Ltd and naming 24 other entities/platforms. Film (Local spotlight): Colombo premiere news: Hearts in Colombo, an international rom-com shot largely on location in Sri Lanka, is set for a July 12 premiere in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Cricket & Sports: New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first in the opening Test of the World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka in Galle, with Sri Lanka recalling Niroshan Dickwella and naming Akila Dananjaya and Lasith Embuldeniya for spin. Local Sports (Netball): Sri Lanka begin a six-match friendly netball series against touring Lincoln University of New Zealand in Galle, as the NFSL builds match experience ahead of the Asian Senior Netball Championship in Hong Kong. Arts & Film: Principal photography has started in Melbourne on Fawzia Mirza’s romantic comedy Written in the Stars, adapted from Su Dharmapala’s novel The Wedding Season, with filming across multiple Melbourne locations. Tech & Innovation: SLASSCOM National Ingenuity Awards 2026 honoured Sri Lanka’s digital innovators, while Dialog and Abans launched Motorola G35 5G and G57 5G to expand affordable 5G access. Business & Lifestyle: City of Dreams Sri Lanka’s Shoppes hosted Cake Date, bringing together 55 bakers and 200+ guests for a cake-focused social day. Public Notice: Sri Lanka’s Central Bank warned the public about multiple prohibited pyramid schemes, naming several companies and apps including Infinity Rover.