SenFin Research – News Updates – 1 May 2026

Colombo consumer prices jump above CB’s 5% target as higher fuel prices reverberates through economy
The consumer inflation measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) jumped in April as the higher fuel prices caused by the war in Iran fed quickly through the rest of the economy sending the prices of almost everything higher.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/Colombo-consumer-prices-jump-above-CBs-5-target-as-higher-fuel-prices-reverberates-through-economy/215-339204

March External Sector Performance: 7 key points
Sri Lanka’s external current account recorded a marginal surplus in March 2026 despite a widening trade deficit and declining services earnings, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/30/march-external-sector-performance-7-key-points/

Sri Lanka rupee depreciated below 320 to US dollar as return of high inflation celebrated
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 319.75/320.00 to the US dollar in the spot next market, after trades at 319.50/320, market participants said, shortly after macro-economists celebrated the return of inflation to the central bank’s target.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-depreciated-below-320-to-us-dollar-as-return-of-high-inflation-celebrated/-/269402/

Cyberheist: MOF to brief parliament on alleged $ 2.5 m
The Ministry of Finance is set to make a special statement in Parliament regarding the alleged misplacement of $ 2.5 million.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/io6GsZh8ZJ3K9bhge0Lo

CoPF meeting with Treasury Secretary: “10 transactions worth USD 2.5 mn stolen”
Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, says officials have informed the committee that 10 government debt repayment transactions meant for a relevant party in Australia had not reached the intended recipient.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/30/copf-meeting-with-treasury-secretary-10-transactions-worth-usd-2-5-mn-stolen/

Sri Lanka improves to 134th in 2026 World Press Freedom Index
Sri Lanka has climbed five places in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 134th out of 180 countries with a global score of 40.77.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/30/sri-lanka-improves-to-134th-in-2026-world-press-freedom-index/

Insolvency Bill: SL needs to explore India’s IBC model
As Sri Lanka drafts its Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Bill, it should refer to the nature by which the Indian Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 has enabled significant reduction of NPLs, time-bound debt-distressed business revival, and alternate means of liquidation which Sri Lanka’s existing laws do not accommodate, TWC Executive Chairperson Thilan Wijesinghe said, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) recently (28).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/6knnbivzQanymsMMQYGu

EU funds €2.6mn transparency, accountability project in Sri Lanka
The European Union (EU) is funding a €2.6 million project to enhance transparency, accountability and civic participation in Sri Lanka.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/eu-funds-e2-6mn-transparency-accountability-project-in-sri-lanka/-/269350/

Tea prices turn uneven as quality dips, demand holds
Tea auction offerings totalled 5.4 M/Kgs. There was good general demand at irregular rates.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/Tea-prices-turn-uneven-as-quality-dips-demand-holds/215-339201

Planters seek coordinated response to stabilise tea production and key export markets
The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA), the apex body of Sri Lanka’s Plantation industry, has called for an urgent review and streamlining of the industry’s cost structures in light of the unprecedented crisis in West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/Planters-seek-coordinated-response-to-stabilise-tea-production-and-key-export-markets/215-339200

Sri Lanka’s GI and IP advantage
Geographical Indications (GI) can unlock higher export earnings by leveraging origin‑based values in tea, spices, and other agricultural products.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-gi-and-ip-advantage/-/269364/

Tourism: Sri Lanka eyes Asian markets to revive growth
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is showing resilience amid the global challenges due to the Middle East crisis, with 20-30% of growth in key Asian markets, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairperson Buddhika Hewawasam said, in the recent April Committee meeting at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/4gUG7s25jVbP3PDXJeRS

Sri Lanka sees 17,081 new active credit cards in February 2026
New active credit cards in Sri Lanka increased by 17,081 in February this year, central bank data showed, as the country’s economic recovery amid lower interest rates helps boost their usage.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sees-17081-new-active-credit-cards-in-february-2026/-/269389/

Oil prices soar on fears of long supply disruption, US siege of Iran
Oil prices soared more than 6 per cent on worries about prolonged supply disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and fears of a lengthy US siege of Iranian ports, settling at their highest levels in weeks.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/30/oil-prices-soar-on-fears-of-long-supply-disruption-us-siege-of-iran-ports/

War risk premiums surge up to 50% amid ME tensions, hitting Sri Lanka trade
War risk insurance premiums for vessels operating in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf have surged by up to 50 percent with extreme cases reaching as high as three percent of vessel value per voyage due to recent escalations in the ongoing Middle East conflict, noted Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka (WCIC) Chairperson Gayani de Alwis.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/War-risk-premiums-surge-up-to-50-amid-ME-tensions-hitting-Sri-Lanka-trade/215-339203

ADB slashes Asia growth outlook as Middle East conflict fuels inflation risks
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sharply downgraded its growth outlook for developing Asia and the Pacific while raising inflation forecasts, warning that prolonged disruptions from the escalating Middle East conflict are beginning to transmit more forcefully through energy markets, trade flows and financial conditions.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/ADB-slashes-Asia-growth-outlook-as-Middle-East-conflict-fuels-inflation-risks/215-339202

The Middle East – Uneasy calm before the storm?
I published an article titled ‘Sri Lanka and the Middle East War: Life and Business as usual or face reality?’ (https://lnkd.in/gV5uSzyF), during the last week of March 2026, in the Daily Mirror.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/The-Middle-East-Uneasy-calm-before-the-storm/215-339191

Sri Lanka rupee flat, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 319.50/320.50 to the US dollar in the spot market, from 319.75/320.60 the previous day in the spot next, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-flat-bond-yields-steady/-/269280/

Sri Lanka stocks end the week lower, capital goods push turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Thursday, with the All Share Price Index down 0.38 percent, or 85.47 points, at 22,549.53.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-end-the-week-lower-capital-goods-push-turnover/-/269393/

Hela Apparel completes US $ 8mn divestment of UK-based Focus Brands
Hela Apparel Holdings PLC has completed the sale of its UK-based Focus Brands Limited, marking a full exit from the business, as part of a strategic divestment approved by the shareholders earlier this month.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Hela-Apparel-completes-US-8mn-divestment-of-UK-based-Focus-Brands/273-339151

Financials: Seylan reports PAT of Rs. 2.91 b in Q1
Seylan Bank recorded a Profit After Tax of Rs. 2,906 million in the first quarter of 2026, with a growth of 5.25% against Rs. 2,761 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/5fBtmPwAhtr1Yo0QMnao

Financials: Union bank records PBT of Rs. 465 m
Union Bank’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 260% to Rs. 465 million, while Profit After Tax (PAT) surged by 570% to Rs. 334 million, compared to the corresponding period last year. During this time, gross income increased by 24% to Rs. 4.9 billion, supported by Net Interest Income (NII) of Rs. 1,649 million, up 29% year-on-year.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Tqr33jzCpCrYH1aAvLDZ

HSBC ends consumer banking operations in Sri Lanka today
HSBC Bank’s consumer banking operations in Sri Lanka officially come to an end today (30), following the completion of the transfer of its retail banking division to Nations Trust Bank (NTB).
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/30/hsbc-ends-consumer-banking-operations-in-sri-lanka-today/