SenFin Research – News Updates – 18 September 2026

78,000 job losses due to El Niño: Informal sector has no Labour cover
More than 78,000 people have lost their livelihoods due to the dry weather conditions caused by El Niño, but the Labour Ministry says it has no mechanism to intervene as most of those affected are engaged in agriculture and other informal-sector activities.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/ICk6eu58F3iOMssUHt4s

Sri Lanka’s 4.2% growth conceals two-speed recovery
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: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Sri-Lankas-4-2-growth-conceals-two-speed-recovery/245-350496

Sri Lanka services expands further in August 2026: PMI
Sri Lanka’s services sector expanded in August 2026, according to a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank, which registered an index value of 65.6, compared to 61.4 the previous month
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-services-expands-further-in-august-2026-pmi-283863/

Sri Lanka manufacturing expands at slower rate in August 2026: PMI
Sri Lanka’s manufacturing sector expanded at a slower rate in August 2026, registering a value of 53.0 on a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank, compared to 55.0 the previous month.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-manufacturing-expands-at-slower-rate-in-august-2026-pmi-283858/

Tourism: India leads SL’s 1.6 million visitors in 2026
India topped Sri Lanka’s largest source market by a significant margin, as Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has surpassed the 1.6 million arrivals threshold for 2026, making 25.3% of the 1,609,759 arrivals Sri Lanka has seen so far in the year, latest arrivals data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Rq23FKd6H8QjhiKTzIPR

Tea auction market remains positive amid global uncertainty
Sri Lanka’s tea auction market maintained a positive tone this week, with total offerings amounting to 5.2 million kilogrammes, despite growing global uncertainties and increasing pressures on exporters.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://dailynews.lk/2026/09/18/business/1039884/tea-auction-market-remains-positive-amid-global-uncertainty/

Oil prices fall 1% on hopes of limited supply disruptions
Oil prices fell about 1%, extending losses for a third session, but stayed above $100 on Friday, as hopes of alternate ways for barrels from the ‌Middle East to reach markets outweighed concerns about strikes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-prices-fall-1-hopes-limited-supply-disruptions-2026-09-18/

Sri Lanka sells extra Rs10bn Treasury bills after auction
Sri Lanka has sold 10,000 million rupees of treasury bills offered on tap at an average rate of 9.18 percent, the public debt management office said, bringing the total of bills sold this week to 70.01 billion rupees.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-extra-rs10bn-treasury-bills-after-auction-283881/

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 331.50/90 to US dollar spot, bond yields recover.
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 331.50/90 to the US dollar in the spot market on Thursday, from 332.00/40 at open, while bond yields eased off, dealers said.

Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-331-50-90-to-us-dollar-spot-bond(economynext)-yields-recover-283892/

Stocks down on Thursday, capital goods lead turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Thursday trading, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.47 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/stocks-down-on-thursday-capital-goods-lead-turnover-283878/

HDFC Bank reports resilient 1H performance
HDFC Bank of Sri Lanka has demonstrated a resilient financial performance for the first half of 2026, reflecting steady progress despite a challenging operating environment..
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/HDFC-Bank-reports-resilient-1H-performance/273-350487

Asia Asset Finance Rights Issue oversubscribed
Asia Asset Finance PLC (AAF) has further strengthened its capital position following the oversubscription of its Rights Issue, reinforcing the company’s financial resilience and providing a stronger platform for its next phase of sustainable growth.

Source: (Daily Mirror) https://dailynews.lk/2026/09/18/business/1039795/asia-asset-finance-rights-issue-oversubscribed/