SenFin Research – News Updates – 19 July 2026

SenFin Research – News Updates – 19 July 2026

Toll from Dengue: From Illness to Income Loss
The economic repercussions of dengue in Sri Lanka are notably seen through sudden workforce absences, lost wages, and overwhelmed healthcare systems.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260719/business-times/toll-from-dengue-from-illness-to-income-loss-649180.html

Game-changing moments in West Asia
To be or not to be……or better still, the pithy Sinhala saying, “Yanawa –enawa” which both express indecision. This is the game being played in West Asia as US President Donald Trump tries to weaken Iran and install a puppet regime but the oil-rich West Asian country is simply not giving in – even though the US killed its spiritual leader in a deadly strike.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260719/business-times/game-changing-moments-in-west-asia-649170.html

Sri Lanka’s income tag: a fork in the road
Sri Lanka is now an upper-middle-income country, according to ‘per capita income’ in US dollar terms. While some would say “wow… what an achievement!”, others would ask “is it a big deal?” Let us dig into this country classification practice and Sri Lanka’s long journey towards where it is today.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260719/business-times/sri-lankas-income-tag-a-fork-in-the-road-649162.html

Sri Lanka’s inflation target: Should it be cut from 5% to 2%?
As Sri Lanka approaches the scheduled review of its inflation target, and with public consultations under way, the debate over the appropriate level of the medium-term inflation target has intensified.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/07/19/business/81107/sri-lankas-inflation-target-should-it-be-cut-from-5-to-2/

Cargo to WA in troubled waters with no insurance
War risk insurance on cargo headed to West Asia has been withdrawn by insurance companies following discussions and notifications issued to exporters effective from this week.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260719/business-times/cargo-to-wa-in-troubled-waters-with-no-insurance-649183.html

Private credit surge boosts finance sector
Sri Lanka’s Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs) and the broader Non-Bank Financial Institution (NBFI) sector shows continued financial resilience and credit expansion, primarily driven by a surge in private sector lending and broad service sector growth.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260719/business-times/private-credit-surge-boosts-finance-sector-649177.html

Ceylon Tea exports fall from Gulf tensions
Sri Lanka’s tea industry has been seeing a drop in export earnings in the first five months of this year as a result of losses incurred in exporting to the Gulf region.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260719/business-times/ceylon-tea-exports-fall-from-gulf-tensions-649130.html

Strong banking data needs deeper analysis – Former DG CBSL
Sri Lanka’s key financial soundness indicators in the banking and financial sector have improved considerably since the country’s economic crisis, reflecting the resilience of the banking and non-bank financial sectors, former Central Bank Deputy Governor J.P.R. Karunaratne said.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/07/19/business/81082/strong-banking-data-needs-deeper-analysis-former-dg-cbsl/

Export growth hinges on trade reforms – Exporters’ Association chief
Sri Lanka must accelerate trade digitalisation through a fully integrated National Single Window to position itself among Asia’s most competitive, efficient, and business-friendly export destinations, newly elected Chairman of the Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka (EASL), affiliated with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Nalaka Rathnayake said last week.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/07/19/business/81094/export-growth-hinges-on-trade-reforms-exporters-association-chief/

Taking rice beyond the plate
Seeking to create more demand for paddy, the Government has removed a gazette that previously prohibited rice from being used for products other than human consumption.

Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/QzsToq7NVWEyCurIPvDW

SL needs more awareness in marine shipping insurance Kumar Muthiah
Given that Sri Lanka’s position along major international shipping routes places marine insurance at the centre of global trade movements, geopolitical developments, and cargo risk management, the country has long promoted its location in the Indian Ocean as a strategic advantage.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/G3f7Q40S7GlKBIo6VNlC

T-bill yields ease across all three maturities
Treasury bill (T-bill) yields eased across all three maturities at last week’s auction, reversing the gradual upward correction of recent weeks as the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) accepted the entire stock on offer for the fifth consecutive auction amidst improved market liquidity.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/rbT1mvBXaAS5eAgEbwd1