In response to the devastating impact of African swine fever, the Cabinet has approved the formation of a Task Force to restore Sri Lanka’s pig farming industry.

The outbreak, first detected in October 2024, has spread across all provinces, causing the deaths of 61,695 pigs and affecting nearly 1,600 farms.

The disease has also led to widespread deaths of wild boars, with concerns over continued viral circulation in the environment.

The Task Force will be co-chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation and the Senior Additional Secretary to the President, and will coordinate a national recovery plan with all relevant stakeholders.