SenFin Research – News Updates – 13 October 2026

CBSL warns of rising credit risks despite financial system stability
Sri Lanka’s financial system remained stable during the first half of 2026, supported by economic recovery, improved fiscal performance and adequate capital and liquidity buffers, although rising household borrowing and external uncertainties pose emerging risks, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/10/13/business/1044321/cbsl-warns-of-rising-credit-risks-despite-financial-system-stability/#google_vignette

Over third of Sri Lanka’s listed firms fail to cover interest bills: Central Bank
More than a third of Sri Lanka’s listed non-financial companies did not earn enough operating profit to cover their interest expenses in the first half of 2026, even as total revenues rose sharply, the central bank said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/over-third-of-sri-lankas-listed-firms-fail-to-cover-interest-bills-central-bank-286260/
Nearly a quarter of Sri Lanka’s financial sector loans backed by vehicles, gold: Report
Nearly one in every four rupees lent by Sri Lanka’s banks and finance companies is now secured against a vehicle or gold, the central bank said, warning that the growing concentration has left lenders exposed to falling collateral values. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/nearly-a-quarter-of-sri-lankas-financial-sector-loans-backed-by-vehicles-gold-report-286238/

Sri Lanka Central Bank warns of possible financial instability from climate impacts
Sri Lanka’s Increasing frequency and severity of extreme climate events present a growing threat to the island nation’s financial system stability, the Central Bank warns. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-central-bank-warns-of-possible-financial-instability-from-climate-impacts-286280/

SL at risk of ageing before getting rich
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has placed Sri Lanka among four Asian economies at greater risk of growing old before getting rich. At the same time, the fund held up the country’s digital payments system as a regional model for cleaner public finances. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/gPY7xaLgkbTXyMIu0ecR

De Minimis: 37% of e-commerce exporters unaware of duty-free threshold
Roughly 37% of Sri Lankan e-commerce exporters lack full awareness of de minimis – the value threshold below which imported goods are exempt from customs duties, tariffs, and taxes – likely preventing them from optimising pricing, utilising other e-commerce related shipping strategies, and exposing customers to unexpected costs and delays, a report published by ODI Global titled ‘E-commerce and international trade in Sri Lanka’ said. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Vv0O9MwdcjRYERedqSQ6

External: Worker remittances rise to $ 6.86 b in first 9M
Sri Lanka received a total of $ 6,865.4 million in workers’ remittances from January to September this year, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/M7WyAY27d15FXFtElVwr

11 months on, Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund still in limbo
The Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, announced in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and promoted as the national vehicle for public and diaspora donations, has yet to be formally established, nearly 11 months after the disaster. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/eXkXmLLuLGshpkKf4nsg

Sri Lanka must shift from consumption to productivity for durable growth: IPS
Sri Lanka can no longer rely on debt-financed spending, tax concessions or import-intensive consumption to drive growth, and must instead lean on higher productivity, private investment and more competitive exports to turn its post-crisis recovery into durable expansion, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) said. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/business/Sri-Lanka-must-shift-from-consumption-to-productivity-for-durable-growth-IPS/34-798566

North takes centre stage in tourism development drive
The North and East have been the main focus of tourism development projects funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe told Parliament last week. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/business/North-takes-centre-stage-in-tourism-development-drive/34-798564

Alarming case of financial illiteracy amidst drive for financial inclusiveness and literacy
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has recently intensified its policy drive toward achieving financial inclusiveness and financial literacy. These dual concepts are foundational pillars of a modern, stable economy. In the lexicon of policymakers, financial inclusiveness means ensuring that sustainable financial habits and access are extended to everyone in society, rather than to an exclusive group. Financial literacy, on the other hand, demands that individuals who engage in financial transactions do so, equipped with actual knowledge, rather than out of dangerous ignorance. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/columns/Alarming-case-of-financial-illiteracy-amidst-drive-for-financial-inclusiveness-and-literacy/4-798523

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 330.90/331.00 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 330.90/331.00 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, from 330.85/95 the previous day, while bond yields closed broadly steady, dealers said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-330-90-331-00-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-286274/

Sri Lanka stocks close down; ASPI drops 0.28-pct
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Monday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.28 percent. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-aspi-drops-0-28-pct-286265/

Dipped Products opens Rs. 4.2 b glove plant in Katunayake EPZ
Hayleys Group glove maker Dipped Products PLC (DPL) yesterday said it has begun operations at its newest manufacturing facility in the Katunayake Export Processing Zone, built at an investment of Rs. 4.2 billion. Source: (Daily Ft) http://ft.lk/business/Dipped-Products-opens-Rs-4-2-b-glove-plant-in-Katunayake-EPZ/34-798579

Seylan Bank surpasses Rs. 1 Tn in total assets
Seylan Bank PLC, has surpassed LKR 1 trillion in total assets, marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s growth journey and strengthening its position among Sri Lanka’s leading private sector banks. The Bank reached the milestone in September 2026, becoming the fourth private sector bank in Sri Lanka to achieve this landmark. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/10/13/business/1044325/seylan-bank-surpasses-rs-1-tn-in-total-assets/