SenFin Research – News Updates – 14 October 2026

SCL hike: SL’s maize importation plummets 64%
Sri Lanka’s maize importation has plummeted by 64% between January and July of 2026, compared to the same period last year, due to the Special Commodity Levy increase from Rs 25 per to Rs 50 per kilogram, according to a recent report released by SenFin Securities.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/e9Vv0wYyqyjKbUJU7ORv

CBSL flags sovereign exposure and gold lending risks
Sri Lanka’s financial recovery is carrying fresh lending risks alongside a long-standing vulnerability: the financial institutions remain heavily exposed to the government, while the rapid growth in vehicle and gold-backed loans is adding to the household indebtedness, the Central Bank warned.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/CBSL-flags-sovereign-exposure-and-gold-lending-risks/108-352399

IPS urges growth shift beyond debt-funded spending
Sri Lanka must move beyond debt-financed spending, tax concessions and import-intensive consumption to sustain its economic recovery, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) said, calling for a growth strategy built on private investment, productivity and competitive exports.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/IPS-urges-growth-shift-beyond-debt-funded-spending/273-352398

IMF sees SL’s inflation running at twice Asia’s pace
Sri Lanka’s inflation is set to run at nearly double the emerging Asian average this year and to keep edging higher into 2027, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected on Tuesday (13), placing the country in line with a profile the fund describes as facing “the most difficult configuration” in a bifurcated global economy: an energy importer with little connection to the technology value chain that is lifting much of East and Southeast Asia.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/BRsD4UkENUHE2baAACKq

1,300-plus vehicles held at Ports due to LC dispute
More than 1,300 vehicles remain stranded at Colombo and Hambantota ports due to a prolonged dispute over cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs), with importers seeking urgent Government intervention to resolve the issue and mounting demurrage charges.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/bbtj4sPOOqNSHuUJpvu4

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 331.00/10 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 331.00/10 to the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday, weaker from 330.90/331.00 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-331-00-10-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-286291/

Sri Lanka to raise $100mn through domestic dollar bond auction
Sri Lanka will sell 1-year, 2-year and 3-year dollar denominated bonds to raise 100 million US dollars, data from the debt office showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-to-raise-100mn-through-domestic-dollar-bond-auction-286405/

Sri Lanka sells Rs100bn in 2029, 2031 and 2036 bonds
Sri Lanka has sold 100 billion rupees in 2029, 2031 and 2036 bonds, data from the public debt management office showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-rs100bn-in-2029-2031-and-2036-bonds-286468/