SenFin Research – News Updates – 17 September 2026

Sri Lanka Customs reaches Rs.2 trillion revenue; likely to exceed 2026 target
Sri Lanka Customs has reached Rs. 2 trillion revenue this year through September 15, its spokesman said, as the revenue-collecting body’s performance shows potential of exceeding the target for the second year.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-customs-reaches-rs-2-trillion-revenue-likely-to-exceed-2026-target-283791/


Sri Lanka’s Q2 GDP growth slows; ME crisis, purchasing power, weather weigh
Sri Lanka’s real Gross Domestic Product slowed to 4.2% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, weighed down by expensive energy prices following Middle East escalation, lower purchasing power amid higher taxes, and adverse weather conditions.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/explainer-sri-lankas-q2-gdp-growth-slows-me-crisis-purchasing-power-weather-weigh-283789/

JPMorgan to launch long-awaited 'frontier' local currency debt index
JPMorgan is set to launch its long-awaited "frontier" market local-currency government bond index by the end of September, giving investors a new benchmark for nearly $330 billion of debt across some of the ‌world's fastest-growing economies.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/jpmorgan-launch-frontier-market-local-currency-debt-index-by-month-end-source-2026-09-14/

Fed raises rates in search of 'timelier' drop in inflation, sees more tightening ahead
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday and flagged more hikes in the coming months, with new U.S. central bank chief Kevin Warsh joining a unanimous decision that effectively acknowledges the Trump administration's inability so far to control inflation that policymakers worry could worsen.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/warshs-words-may-matter-more-than-anticipated-fed-rate-hike-2026-09-16/

Fed's Warsh lays out forces driving up bond yields
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh suggested on Wednesday that among the forces pushing up bond yields, a loss in confidence in the central ‌bank's inflation fight mettle is not on that list.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/feds-warsh-lays-out-forces-driving-up-bond-yields-2026-09-16/

Global markets trade mixed ahead of Fed’s rate decision.
Global markets traded on a mixed trend as the Fed is highly likely to hike rates for the first time in three years. Markets are anticipating a 25-basis-point rate hike due to strong US employment, rising inflation expectations and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s statements on price stability..
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Global-markets-trade-mixed-ahead-of-Fed-s-rate-decision/42-797345


Oil prices extend losses as fears of Middle East supply disruptions ease
Oil prices fell in early trade on Thursday, extending the previous day's losses, as reports of Saudi Arabia offering ‌extra crude cargoes through Oman reduced fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-prices-extend-losses-fears-middle-east-supply-disruptions-ease-2026-09-17/

Services surge as manufacturing loses steam in August
Economic activity displayed mixed momentum in August, with the services sector accelerating sharply while manufacturing growth slowed as production contracted and new orders stagnated, the latest Central Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) showed.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Services-surge-as-manufacturing-loses-steam-in-August/273-350398

Business confidence eases in 2Q26, but firms see recovery ahead: CBSL
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) Business Condition Index eased to 101 in the second quarter of 2026, from 104 in the first quarter, as heightened macroeconomic uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East weighed on firms’ sentiment.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Business-confidence-eases-in-2Q26-but-firms-see-recovery-ahead-CBSL/44-797333

High Grown tea crop sinks to 34-year low in Aug.
Sri Lanka’s High Grown tea production fell to 3.1 million kilograms (MnKg) in August, the lowest monthly output recorded from the elevation category in any month since the El Niño-affected year of 1992, according to Asia Siyaka Commodities.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/High-Grown-tea-crop-sinks-to-34-year-low-in-Aug/44-797335


Apparel sector calls for fabric investments, preferential US trade deal
The local apparel sector is calling for stronger investment incentives to attract foreign capital into fabric mills and other upstream industries, as it looks to deepen domestic value addition and build the supply chain needed to lift exports to US$8 billion by 2030.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Apparel-sector-calls-for-fabric-investments-preferential-US-trade-deal/273-350396

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields rise across maturities, Rs70bn sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields rose across maturities at Wednesday’s auction, with all offered 70 billion rupees of bills sold, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-rise-across-maturities-rs70bn-sold-283817/

Stocks down on Wednesday closing, food and beverage leads turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Wednesday trading, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.58 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/stocks-down-on-wednesday-closing-food-and-beverage-leads-turnover-283794/

SEC hurdle stalls Industrial Asphalts takeover
The takeover of Industrial Asphalts (Ceylon) PLC (IAC) by Arcasia Investment & Trading (Pvt) Ltd and ATX Partners (Pvt) Ltd has hit a regulatory hurdle, despite the offerors securing acceptances representing 50.16 percent of the company.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/SEC-hurdle-stalls-Industrial-Asphalts-takeover/273-350394

Japanese investor Yoshimichi Watanabe backs Hunas Holdings ahead of expansion
Japanese investor Yoshimichi Watanabe has entered into a partnership with Colombo Stock Exchange-listed Hunas Holdings PLC, in a move that comes as the diversified conglomerate prepares a significant expansion of its hospitality and real estate interests in Sri Lanka.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/business/Japanese-investor-Yoshimichi-Watanabe-backs-Hunas-Holdings-ahead-of-expansion/34-797295

Sri Lanka’s Printcare to raise Rs700mn in rights issue
Sri Lanka’s Printcare plans to raise 700 million rupees in a rights issue offering 19 new ordinary voting shares for every 70 ordinary voting shares.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-printcare-to-raise-rs700mn-in-rights-issue-283771/

DFCC Bank discloses final application breakdown for Rs. 12.5 b deben ture issue.
DFCC Bank PLC yesterday disclosed the final breakdown of Type A applications processed for its debenture issue, comprising up to 125 million Basel III-compliant, Tier 2, listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable five-year (2026/2031) debentures with a non-viability conversion feature, each with a par value of Rs. 100, aimed at raising up to Rs. 12.5 billion.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/DFCC-Bank-discloses-final-application-breakdown-for-Rs-12-5-b-deben-ture-issue/42-797351