SenFin Research – News Updates – 14 May 2026

Sri Lanka Customs crosses Rs. 1 t mark, beats early 2026 revenue targets
Sri Lanka Customs has surpassed the Rs. 1 trillion revenue milestone for 2026, marking a strong fiscal performance driven by higher import activity, improved enforcement, and continued recovery in trade volumes.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-Customs-crosses-Rs-1-t-mark-beats-early-2026-revenue-targets/44-791873

External sector: Worker remittances exceed $ 3 b in ’26
Foreign remittances sent by Sri Lankan migrant workers reached $ 767.9 million in April 2026, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/RiVhfJziAYVeGXvtfIHn

Sri Lanka, UAE explore deeper trade ties and port sector cooperation
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka yesterday discussed expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation, with a focus on ports, aviation, maritime connectivity, and a proposed trade agreement between the two countries.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-UAE-explore-deeper-trade-ties-and-port-sector-cooperation/44-791870

Sri Lanka private credit roars back, rupee whimpers in money printed through fx swaps
Sri Lanka’s private credit recovered strongly in March, and the rupee whimpered in cascading credit driven by money printed through fx swaps and dollar purchases that aggressively signalled the market to depreciate the currency.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-private-credit-roars-back-rupee-whimpers-in-money-printed-through-fx-swaps-271160/

CBSL reiterates change of hands in debt repayment
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s responsibility in debt repayment settlements is limited to the processing of transactions, upon the verification of account details and payment mechanisms.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/T3m3bOAnAvwwa7YarXt3

A formal tourism promotional programme essential to generate US$10 Bn by 2030
Representatives of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) stressed that industry players have the potential to increase the revenue generated through the country’s tourism industry to US$10 billion by 2030.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/14/business/994530/a-formal-tourism-promotional-programme-essential-to-generate-us10-bn-by-2030/

President warns fuel import bill has surged six-fold since February
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday warned of mounting pressure on Sri Lanka’s economy as the country’s oil import bill surged more than six-fold between February and May amid rising global energy prices and growing subsidy costs.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/President-warns-fuel-import-bill-has-surged-six-fold-since-February/44-791871

‘I want to make it very clear. CBSL does not promote economic growth’: Governor
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday rejected the notion that the CBSL’s role was to directly drive economic growth, productivity gains, or foreign direct investment (FDI), arguing instead that its mandate was confined to preserving monetary and financial stability.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/I-want-to-make-it-very-clear-CBSL-does-not-promote-economic-growth-Governor/44-791876

CBSL distances supervisory role from Treasury and NDB scams
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday drew a sharper distinction between the CBSL’s role as banker to the Government and its function as regulator of licenced banks, as scrutiny intensified over the Treasury’s $ 2.5 million phishing scam and the Rs. 13.2 billion fraud uncovered at National Development Bank PLC (NDB).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/CBSL-distances-supervisory-role-from-Treasury-and-NDB-scams/44-791877

Sri Lanka rupee ends weaker at 326.00/327.00 to one week US dollar; bond yields flat
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed weaker at 326.00/327.00 to the one week US dollar on Wednesday, from 326.70/90 the previous day, with no spot trading, dealers said, while bond yields were steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-ends-weaker-at-326-00-327-00-to-one-week-us-dollar-bond-yields-flat-271335/

Sri Lanka stocks close down as profit taking sets in
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Wednesday, with some profit taking coming in, particularly in banking, brokers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-as-profit-taking-sets-in-271312/

Abans Finance launches maiden debenture issue listing on CSE
Abans Finance recently marked the official listing of its maiden13,384,000 debentures on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) with a bell ringing and market opening ceremony held at the CSE trading floor on Monday (11).
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/14/business/994508/abans-finance-launches-maiden-debenture-issue-listing-on-cse/

Sampath Bank posts Rs. 6.2 b PAT in 1Q 2026
Sampath Bank yesterday said it has reported a total operating income of Rs. 28.5 billion and Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 6.2 billion for the quarter ended 31 March 2026.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sampath-Bank-posts-Rs-6-2-b-PAT-in-1Q-2026/44-791874

HNB assets reach Rs. 2.5 t milestone in 1Q, marking strong start to 2026
Hatton National Bank PLC (HNC) yesterday said that against a backdrop of heightened economic volatility, the bank recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 9.95 billion in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting disciplined balance sheet expansion and sustained improvements in asset quality. At Group level, performance remained resilient, with PAT reaching Rs. 10.35 billion for the quarter.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/HNB-assets-reach-Rs-2-5-t-milestone-in-1Q-marking-strong-start-to-2026/44-791875

Vidullanka to invest Rs. 2 b for 49% stake in Storex BESS venture
Vidullanka PLC is to invest approximately Rs. 2 billion for a 49% stake in Storex Ltd., following a restructuring of the project vehicle established to develop a portfolio of grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects awarded by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/business/Vidullanka-to-invest-Rs-2-b-for-49-stake-in-Storex-BESS-venture/34-791891