SenFin Research – News Updates – 17 March 2026

Sri Lanka declares Wednesday public holiday, halts gov events
Sri Lanka’s government has declared Wednesday a public holiday in order to conserve fuel amidst the escalating US-Israel war on Iran, which has led to the destruction of oil facilities in the region.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-declares-wednesday-public-holiday-halts-gov-events-264094/

Fuel QR system back amid supply strain
In a better-later-than-never move, the Government yesterday reintroduced the fuel QR code system to manage limited fuel stocks and prevent panic buying as the ongoing Mideast crisis disrupts global oil supplies and pressures prices.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Fuel-QR-system-back-amid-supply-strain/44-789633

CBSL to conduct nationwide survey
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has initiated steps to conduct a nationwide survey aimed at gathering comprehensive data on financial inclusion in the country as part of efforts to formulate the National Financial Inclusion Strategy Phase II.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/17/business/967871/cbsl-to-conduct-nationwide-survey/

Top Trump adviser says Iran war price tag at $ 12 b so far
The United States has spent $ 12 billion on its war against Iran since launching joint strikes on the country with Israel on 28 February, Trump's top economic adviser said, as domestic concerns grow over the Middle East conflict’s burgeoning economic impacts.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Top-Trump-adviser-says-Iran-war-price-tag-at-12-b-so-far/44-789656

Tourist arrivals drop 25-30% in early March
Sri Lanka recorded a 25-30% decline in tourist arrivals during the first part of March compared with previous months, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said, attributing the slowdown to disruptions linked to the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/2EyHODLfPJW5rXytcQyl

Mideast war hits tourism with ‘noticeable’ cancellations: SLAITO
Sri Lanka’s inbound tour operators yesterday said the tourism industry is experiencing noticeable cancellations due to the Mideast crisis and warned that the country must urgently pivot its strategy towards alternative regional markets.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Mideast-war-hits-tourism-with-noticeable-cancellations-SLAITO/26-789659

CCC calls for urgent economic safeguards as global volatility intensifies
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) yesterday pressed the government to act decisively to shield the economy as international volatility and the Middle East conflict threaten domestic stability.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/CCC-calls-for-urgent-economic-safeguards-as-global-volatility-intensifies/245-335496

Tea exports face Red Sea risk
Amidst lowering demand for tea from Iran due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Ceylon tea’s potential alternate Middle Eastern markets, such as Libya, are also increasingly difficult to reach due to the compromised state of the Red Sea’s Suez Canal, former Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairperson Niraj de Mel said recently, speaking on Ada Derana’s Rebuild Sri Lanka show.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Q5cFRO5rvyOVUS3xay7S

Fuel consumption: Vehicle importers raise concerns over QR code system
Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) President Prasad Manage, said that vehicle importers have encountered difficulties due to the QR code-based fuel quota system introduced by the Government for fuel distribution.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/V01R0IrVkRfWVrpAgbjN

Sri Lanka motorists complain lapses in fuel QR system amid queues
Sri Lankan motorists have complained about lapses in registering for the National Fuel Pass after the government rationed fuel through QR scan while many fuel stations experienced long queues.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-motorists-complain-lapses-in-fuel-qr-system-amid-queues-264057/

Asia-Pacific markets mixed as oil surges
Asia-Pacific equity markets yesterday traded mixed as investors weighed rising oil prices and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Asia-Pacific-markets-mixed-as-oil-surges/44-789653

ADB to step up support for ASEAN as strategic financing and advisory partner
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met economic ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last week and committed to increasing ADB’s support for the regional bloc as it begins to implement its long-term plan ASEAN Vision 2045.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/adb-to-step-up-support-for-asean-as-strategic-financing-and-advisory-partner-264003/

Privilege, compliance and fiscal trust: Rethinking taxpayer engagement
At a time when Sri Lanka is rebuilding fiscal stability and strengthening its revenue architecture, an important reform has emerged from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/columns/Privilege-compliance-and-fiscal-trust-Rethinking-taxpayer-engagement/4-789652

Trading Day: Banking on oil relief
Wall Street notched solid gains on Monday led by tech, while the dollar and bond yields fell, as volatile oil prices eventually settled lower on the bet - perhaps more in hope than expectation - that the supply crunch from the Middle East could soon ease.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/global-markets-trading-day-graphic-2026-03-16/

Oil prices slide 3% as some ships transit Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices slid about 3% on Monday after some vessels sailed through the critical Strait of Hormuz, even as U.S. allies rebuffed President Donald Trump's call for help in unblocking the strait, and as the head of ‌the IEA suggested more reserves could be released to stem the rising costs caused by the Iran war.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-extends-gains-middle-east-conflict-threatens-export-facilities-2026-03-15/

Middle East oil exports drop at least 60% as Hormuz stays mostly closed, data shows
Daily oil exports from the Middle Eastern Gulf, home to top exporter Saudi Arabia and other major producers, have dropped by at least 60% in the week to March 15 compared to February due to disruptions and output cuts amid the U.S.-Iran war, according to shipping data and Reuters calculations.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/middle-east-oil-exports-drop-least-60-hormuz-stays-mostly-closed-data-shows-2026-03-16/

Iran war hits refined fuels harder than crude and importers need to act
The loss of as much as 20% of the world's crude oil and refined fuels through the ongoing effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz gathers most of the media attention as the main fallout from the attack on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/iran-war-hits-refined-fuels-harder-than-crude-importers-need-act-2026-03-16/

Sri Lanka rupee closes weaker, bond yields up
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 311.50/60 to the US dollar in the spot market Monday, weaker than 311.15/25 Friday, dealers said, while bond yields closed up.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-weaker-bond-yields-up-264081/

Sri Lanka sells extra Rs4bn Treasury bonds after auction
Sri Lanka has sold 4,000 million rupees of bonds offered on tap at an average rate set at an auction this week, bringing the total of bonds sold in the week to 91.02 billion, data from the Ministry of Finance – Public Debt Management Office showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-extra-rs4bn-treasury-bonds-after-auction-263965/

Sri Lanka sells extra Rs9bn Treasury bills after auction
Sri Lanka has sold 9,000 million rupees of treasury bills offered on tap at average rates of 7.91 percent and 8.23 percent, the public debt management office said, bringing the total of bills sold last week to 105,719 million rupees.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-extra-rs9bn-treasury-bills-after-auction-263961/

Sri Lanka stocks close down, losses seen across sectors
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Monday with negative impacts seen across most sectors, brokers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-losses-seen-across-sectors-264073/

Siyapatha Finance to issue LKR 3.75 Bn debentures
Siyapatha Finance PLC, the largest subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC and a prominent leader distinguished in Sri Lanka’s non-bank financial sector, announced its decision to raise a maximum of Rs. 3.75 billion through its debenture issue.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/17/business/967868/siyapatha-finance-to-issue-lkr-3-75-bn-debentures/

Sri Lanka’s Alliance Finance lists social bond on India exchange
Sri Lanka’s Alliance Finance Company PLC social bond has been listed on the National Stock Exchange International Exchange (NSE IX) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) India on 12 March, the company said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-alliance-finance-lists-social-bond-on-india-exchange-264037/

Nation Lanka Finance administrator calls for investors
The administrator appointed by the central bank of Sri Lanka to oversee Nation Lanka Finance is looking for investors for the company.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/nation-lanka-finance-administrator-calls-for-investors-264047/

Sri Lanka’s Maharaja Foods lists new shares after rights issue
Sri Lanka’s Maharaja Foods said it has listed 12,500,000 new ordinary voting shares after a rights issue.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-maharaja-foods-lists-new-shares-after-rights-issue-264014/

HNB General Insurance fastest in reaching LKR 11 Bn. GWP
HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, marking a milestone year of accelerated growth, strengthened financial resilience, and sustained business momentum.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/17/business/967901/hnb-general-insurance-fastest-in-reaching-lkr-11-bn-gwp/

DFCC Bank Blue Bond gains global recognition with multiple Int’l listings
DFCC Bank PLC has achieved another significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s sustainable finance journey with the supplementary international listing of its pioneering Blue Bond on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE), with the bond displayed on the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX) and on the India International Exchange (India INX) at GIFT City, Gujarat, India.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/17/business/967741/dfcc-bank-blue-bond-gains-global-recognition-with-multiple-intl-listings/