SenFin Research – News Updates – 12 June 2026

Govt. to launch export blueprint targeting US$ 36bn revenue by 2030
Sri Lanka will next week unveil a five-year national export strategy aimed at nearly doubling export earnings to US$36 billion by 2030, as the government seeks to shift the economy onto a stronger export-led growth path and reduce its dependence on domestic demand and external borrowing.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Govt-to-launch-export-blueprint-targeting-US-36bn-revenue-by-2030/108-342685

LABOUR: Around 22.8% of workforce exposed to Gen. AI
Around 22.8% of Sri Lanka’s employed population is currently exposed to Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando has said, citing the findings in a study published by Sri Lanka’s socio-economic policy think tank: the Institute of policy studies of Sri Lanka (IPS).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/C21PKoSCu4Qe716XA5wf

From tick-box to insight: Rethinking RCSA in financial institutions
In an environment shaped by rapid digitalisation, heightened fraud risk, and increasingly intrusive regulatory scrutiny, Sri Lankan financial institutions are under growing pressure to demonstrate that risks are not merely documented, but genuinely understood and managed.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/columns/From-tick-box-to-insight-Rethinking-RCSA-in-financial-institutions/4-793195

Measures to triple entrepreneurship rate from 3.2%, to 10% by 2030
The National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA), operating under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, in collaboration with the University of Peradeniya, held a National Conference to empower Sri Lanka’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, at the Colombo 05 District Secretariat on Wednesday (10).
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/12/business/1009387/measures-to-triple-entrepreneurship-rate-from-3-2-to-10-by-2030/

SL’s private sector faces labour shortage: MP
Sri Lanka’s private sector is facing a labor shortage of nearly 400,000-500,000 employees across various industries, said Member of Parliament and Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/HsGIQhTjZIgt9QI5z1MP

Steps to expand cooperation in trade and investment with VietNam
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra had a meeting with Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of VietNam, at the Consulate of VietNam in Kunming, Yunnan yesterday(11). The discussion focused on further strengthening Sri Lanka–VietNam relations, especially in the context of the recent high level visits made by the leaders of both countries. These exchanges carry great significance and provide strong momentum to deepen cooperation between the two nations.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/12/business/1009381/steps-to-expand-cooperation-in-trade-and-investment-with-vietnam/

Middle East tensions trigger global oil prices higher
Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have triggered a sharp rise in global crude oil prices, amid reports of new US military strikes against Iran and growing concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/12/business/1009384/middle-east-tensions-trigger-global-oil-prices-higher/

Sri Lanka sells extra Rs3.51bn Treasury bills after auction
Sri Lanka has sold 3,510 million rupees of treasury bills offered on tap at average rates of 10.09 percent and 10.27 percent, the public debt management office said, bringing the total of bills sold this week to 75,254 million rupees.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-extra-rs3-51bn-treasury-bills-after-auction-275259/

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 336/337 to US dollar spot, bond yields flat
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 336.00/337.00 to the US dollar in the spot market on Thursday, weaker from 332.25/75 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields closed broadly steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-336-337-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-flat-275161/

Sri Lanka stocks close down amid banking losses
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Thursday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.89 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-amid-banking-losses-275152/

CoPF grills CBSL over Rs. 13.2 b NDB fraud as forensic audit covers 10 years
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) earlier this week subjected the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to intense scrutiny over the Rs. 13.2 billion fraud at National Development Bank PLC (NDB), with lawmakers questioning supervisory lapses, governance failures, and whether warning signs were overlooked despite the steady build-up of suspicious balances in the bank’s accounts.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/CoPF-grills-CBSL-over-Rs-13-2-b-NDB-fraud-as-forensic-audit-covers-10-years/44-793186

Asia Asset Finance to raise Rs. 1.5bn via rights issue to strengthen Tier 1 capital
Asia Asset Finance PLC announced a rights issue to raise approximately Rs. 1.5 billion to strengthen its Tier 1 capital and support future business volume expansion.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Asia-Asset-Finance-to-raise-Rs-1-5bn-via-rights-issue-to-strengthen-Tier-1-capital/273-342681

Sri Lanka’s Hela Apparel faces trading suspension amid audit disclaimer
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has warned Hela Apparel Holdings that trading will be suspended from June 18, if the apparel company does not rectify a non-compliance issue.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-hela-apparel-faces-trading-suspension-amid-audit-disclaimer-275091/