SenFin Research – News Updates – 12 August 2026

Tourist arrivals slip by 8% in early August
Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals opened August on a weaker note than a year earlier, with 42,810 visitors recorded between August 1 and 6, down 8 percent from the 46,541 arrivals over the same six days last year, according to data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Tourist-arrivals-slip-by-8-in-early-August/245-347942

Sri Lanka worker remittances up 11.5-pct to US$777mn in July 2026
Sri Lanka’s official remittances from expatriate workers rose 11.5 percent to US$ 777.6 million in July 2026, while they brought in US$5,382.4 million in the first seven months of the year, a 21.4 percent growth, Central Bank data showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-worker-remittances-up-11-5-pct-to-us777mn-in-july-2026-280478/

SL must prioritise productive investment
Sri Lanka’s economic growth requires stronger productive investments, but the country is failing to fully utilise its capital expenditure around Rs 1.2 to 1.4 trillion, warning that a budget surplus resulting from unspent capital expenditure should not be viewed as a fiscal strength, Gajma and Co, Founder N R Gajendran said speaking on Advocata Institute ‘Why Tax Policy is Hurting Sri Lanka’s Economy’ programme on Monday (9).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/VC97FbIBDJjcTspNX3nZ

Beneficial ownership law overkill risks FDI drive
Sri Lanka’s beneficial ownership disclosure regime under the Companies Act, No. 12 of 2025 requires urgent regulatory reforms to preserve its anti-money laundering (AML) objectives without undermining investment and creating impractical compliance obligations, Heritage Partners Precedent Partner Dr. Arittha Wikramanayake said.
Source: (the morning) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Beneficial-ownership-law-overkill-risks-FDI-drive/26-795859

Bond market rebound expected as T-bill yields cool
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance is in the process of lowering its long-end yield rates, as the performance of short-term T-bills extended its decline at the last auction, and the Ministry is compelled to accept bids for securities at a lesser rate, NSB Fund Management Chief Dealer Surendran Edwatd said, speaking during a Committee on Public Enterprise meeting held last week (6).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Xnc7U8OXXpzPQQQ2AdS8

World crude oil prices surge above US$80 amid renewed market volatility
World crude oil prices have surged sharply, with Brent crude once again moving above the US$80 a barrel mark amid renewed volatility in international energy markets. According to the latest market figures, the price of Brent crude increased by 4.99 percent to US$87.72 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose to US$82.15 a barrel.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/08/12/business/1033108/world-crude-oil-prices-surge-above-us80-amid-renewed-market-volatility/

Cabinet nod to secure $ 200 m ADB loan package for post-cyclone reconstruction
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the signing of financial agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to secure a $ 200 million loan facility for the implementation of a major post-cyclone reconstruction and livelihood support program.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Cabinet-nod-to-secure-200-m-ADB-loan-package-for-post-cyclone-reconstruction/44-795905

Sri Lanka rupee closes stronger at 334.50/60 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed stronger at 334.50/60 to the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday, while bond yields closed steady
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-stronger-at-334-50-60-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-280577/

Rupee shows signs of stability as dollar selling rate eases to Rs. 339.58
The Sri Lankan Rupee continued to show signs of relative stability against the US Dollar yesterday (11), with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s indicative selling rate for the US Dollar declining to Rs. 339.58 from Rs. 339.94 on Monday.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/08/12/business/1033106/rupee-shows-signs-of-stability-as-dollar-selling-rate-eases-to-rs-339-58/

Stocks close flat on Tuesday, diversified financials lead turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat on Tuesday trading, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down a marginal 0.07 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/stocks-close-flat-on-tuesday-diversified-financials-lead-turnover-280542/

Fitch upgrades AMW Capital Leasing & Finance to ‘BBB+(lka)’; Outlook Stable
Fitch Ratings has upgraded AMW Capital Leasing And Finance PLC’s (AMWCL) National Long-Term Rating to ‘BBB+(lka)’ from ‘BBB(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/08/12/business/1033104/fitch-upgrades-amw-capital-leasing-finance-to-bbblka-outlook-stable/

AMF minority shareholders seek independent KPMG valuation, reject Rs. 55 offer
A group of minority shareholders of Associated Motor Finance PLC (AMF) has called on KPMG Sri Lanka to independently determine a “fair and reasonable” value for their shares, rejecting the Rs. 55 per share value offered following the company’s amalgamation with LB Finance PLC (LFIN).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/AMF-minority-shareholders-seek-independent-KPMG-valuation-reject-Rs-55-offer/42-795892

Singer Sri Lanka 1Q profit rises 44% as sales surge
Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC reported a 44 percent year-on-year increase in group net profit for the June quarter, supported by strong revenue growth across its main business segments, although higher borrowing and direct interest costs weighed on the gains.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Singer-Sri-Lanka-1Q-profit-rises-44-as-sales-surge/273-347937