SenFin Research – News Updates – 18 October 2026

Gulf slump tests SL’s remittance lifeline
The Gulf economies that host a large share of Sri Lanka’s migrant workers are set to contract sharply this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected on Tuesday (13).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/z5Gab1Jmq9ekFKsK3B4v

Sri Lanka worker remittances up 5.6-pct to US$734.4mn in Sept 2026
Sri Lanka’s official remittances from expatriate workers rose 5.6 percent to US$ 734.4 million in September 2026, while they reached US$6,865.4 million in the first nine months of the year with an 18.1 percent growth, Central Bank data showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-worker-remittances-up-5-6-pct-to-us734-4mn-in-sept-2026-286952/

Sri Lanka delays key socio-economic report over data accuracy, compilation
The release of Sri Lanka’s Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) report for 2025 will be delayed by two months due to more time needed for the accurate compilation, the Parliament said in a statement.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-delays-key-socio-economic-report-over-data-accuracy-compilation-286938/