SenFin Research – News Updates – 17 April 2026

Tourism: SL assures uninterrupted travel for Bangladeshis
Travel to Sri Lanka remains fully unaffected for Bangladeshi tourists despite ongoing global conflicts and economic uncertainties, said Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairperson Buddhika Hewawasam while talking to The Bangladesh Monitor during a media networking session held at Le Meridien Dhaka on 5 April 2026.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/tqkDUi766UOoROyVWDNo

SL shows a positive growth in the manufacturing sector
Sri Lanka’s overall manufacturing sector showed a positive growth trend, by recording a rise of 4.1% in the overall Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for the month of February 2026, according to the latest IIP report released by the Department of Census and Statistics.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/aFbPzvOj9TfxCOg4CTMd

G-24 warns: SL among economies exposed to external shocks
In a communiqué issued following its meeting on 14 April, on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, the G-24 emphasised that the global economy is facing renewed uncertainty, particularly due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its spillover effects on energy prices and inflation.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/mv53gwory8EReuEMF8NZ

Energy subsidies, relief packages trade quick fixes for long-term debt risk: Fitch
Asia Pacific governments taking measures to contain the impact of the West Asia energy shock, may reduce immediate inflation and social risks, but shift pressure onto sovereign balance sheets and state-linked entities, Fitch Ratings says.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/energy-subsidies-relief-packages-trade-quick-fixes-for-long-term-debt-risk-fitch/-/267258/

Projections: IMF cuts growth outlook, warns of adverse scenario
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its growth outlook, due to Middle East war-driven energy price spikes, with the world already drifting toward a more adverse scenario with much-weaker growth as Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions continue, said on Tuesday (14).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/wVeK6wVT8vnTPBPHuW2m

Sri Lanka rupee closes weaker, bond yields lower
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 315.85/316.10 to the US dollar in the spot market Thursday, weaker from 315.55/65 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields closed lower.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-weaker-bond-yields-lower/-/267305/

Sri Lanka stocks close up, pushed by capital goods
The Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Thursday after steadily rising in the day, even as investors were yet to return after the holiday.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-pushed-by-capital-goods/-/267295/

Sri Lanka stocks trend up in line with global financial market rally
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange was trending up on Thursday, as global markets rallied after US President Donald Trump indicated a diplomatic resolution in a Fox News interview.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-trend-up-in-line-with-global-financial-market-rally/-/267237/

Foreigners sell US$2.25mn worth Sri Lanka rupee bonds
Foreign investors sold US$2.25 million worth of Sri Lanka government securities in the week ended on April 10, Central Bank data showed, amid renewed depreciation pressure on the local currency.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/foreigners-sell-us2-25mn-worth-sri-lanka-rupee-bonds/-/267130/

Sri Lanka Abans Finance’s debt issue rated A-(lka) by Fitch
Fitch Ratings has assigned Abans Finance’s proposed debenture issue of 1.5 billion rupees a National Long-Term Rating of A-(lka).
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-abans-finances-debt-issue-rated-a-lka-by-fitch/-/267301/

Sri Lanka’s Commercial Bank debt rated ‘A(EXP)(lka)’ by Fitch Ratings
Sri Lanka Commercial Bank’s proposed Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures of up to 20 billion rupees has been assigned an expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘A(EXP)(lka)’ by Fitch Ratings.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-commercial-bank-debt-rated-aexplka-by-fitch-ratings/-/267288/

Sri Lanka’s HNB lists new shares after scrip dividend
Sri Lanka’s Hatton National Bank said it has listed 4,249,706 ordinary voting shares and 1,251,268 ordinary non-voting shares after a scrip dividend.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-hnb-lists-new-shares-after-scrip-dividend/-/267229/