SenFin Research – News Updates – 19 March 2026

SL records 5% GDP growth toward economic expansion
Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded a 5.0% of positive growth in the year of 2025, reflecting a favorable expansion in the economic performance for the country, according to the recent National Accounts Estimates report released by the Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka (DCS).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/uDqMEvnDosVJd4oDbmvj

Economy holds steady at 5% in 2025 despite Cyclone Ditwah disruptions
Sri Lanka’s economy maintained its momentum in 2025, recording a 5.0 percent expansion for the second consecutive year and exceeding forecasts set by major multilaterals.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Economy-holds-steady-at-5-in-2025-despite-Cyclone-Ditwah-disruptions/245-335746

Near-term outlook uncertain: BBG
Sri Lanka’s outlook in the near term has been marred with uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, following a term of slower-than-expected growth recorded in 2025 due to cyclone Ditwah, Bloomberg’s global financial news service said in a report published yesterday (18).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/z2WWTmVF9NdVJ51Azl4c

Global economic volatility: Iran conflict raises risks
A prolonged Middle East conflict could create new credit challenges for developed market (DM) sovereigns in Europe and Asia, primarily through higher energy and borrowing costs, rising inflation and weaker economic growth, Fitch Ratings says.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/qwq3NyTGqcwclLDHQ8hu

PUCSL to decide on electricity tariff hike within March after consultations conclude
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said a decision on the proposed electricity tariff revision will be announced within the month, following the conclusion of public consultations held across the country, with the final session taking place in the Western Province at the BMICH yesterday.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/business/PUCSL-to-decide-on-electricity-tariff-hike-within-March-after-consultations-conclude/34-789771

EDB fast-tracks fuel allocation to safeguard export sector
Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe yesterday underscored a priority program aimed at ensuring exporters receive essential fuel supplies without delay amid ongoing energy constraints.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/EDB-fast-tracks-fuel-allocation-to-safeguard-export-sector/44-789777

Odd-even fuel rationing kicks in as panic buying persists
Authorities tightened vehicle fuel distribution with an odd-even rationing system as panic buying persists, even as Litro Gas Lanka sought to ease concerns by assuring uninterrupted LPG supplies.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Odd-even-fuel-rationing-kicks-in-as-panic-buying-persists/44-789775

Banking sector assets up by 21.4% in 2025
The financial sector in Sri Lanka has witnessed strong growth in 2025, with the profitability and lending growth of banks and financial institutions increasing, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) statistics revealed.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/19/business/969103/banking-sector-assets-up-by-21-4-in-2025/

Mideast crisis slows tourism’s March momentum, YTD figure nears 650,000 mark
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has begun to feel the strain of the escalating Middle East conflict, with visitor arrivals during the first 15 days of March falling 5.15% year-on-year (YoY), even as cumulative figures for 2026 remain firmly in positive territory.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Mideast-crisis-slows-tourism-s-March-momentum-YTD-figure-nears-650-000-mark/44-789780

Sri Lanka tea output climbs in February amid mixed longer-term trends
Sri Lanka’s tea production recorded a strong year-on-year increase in February 2026, although output remained below levels seen in 2024, according to data compiled by Forbes & Walker Research.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/19/business/969132/sri-lanka-tea-output-climbs-in-february-amid-mixed-longer-term-trends/

War risk, rerouted ships hit Sri Lanka’s cuppa tea
Sri Lanka’s tea industry is navigating a deepening crisis as prolonged conflict in West Asia has jeopardized the island nation’s top export commodity, tea.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/war-risk-rerouted-ships-hit-sri-lankas-cuppa-tea-264376/

Colombo West International Terminal handles 1 Mn TEU’s
Sri Lanka’s maritime sector marked a historic milestone as Colombo West International Terminal (Private) Limited (CWIT) announced that it had successfully handled one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) within its first year of operations.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/19/business/969118/colombo-west-international-terminal-handles-1-mn-teus/

Mattala International Airport emerges as potential alternative hub for Emirates and Qatar amid Middle East aviation crisis
The Sri Lankan government has initiated the preliminary discussions with Emirates and Qatar Airways to utilise Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport as an alternative transit hub, as the escalating geopolitical tensions continue to paralyse the primary aviation networks in the Middle East.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Mattala-International-Airport-emerges-as-potential-alternative-hub-for-Emirates-and-Qatar-amid-Middle-East-aviation-crisis/273-335743

Big boost for Sri Lanka tourism as British Airways confirms new route
British Airways has announced the launch of direct flights between London Gatwick and Colombo, marking a significant boost for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector ahead of the winter 2026 season.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/03/18/big-boost-for-sri-lanka-tourism-as-british-airways-confirms-new-route/

Fed leaves interest rates unchanged, expects inflation to climb
The U.S. central bank held interest rates steady on Wednesday and projected higher inflation, steady unemployment and a single reduction in borrowing costs this year, a path that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said was subject to unusually high uncertainty as policymakers take stock ‌of the impact of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/fed-likely-hold-rates-steady-iran-war-shocks-policy-debate-2026-03-18/

Sri Lanka rupee flat, bond yields edge up
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 311.30/50 to the US dollar in the spot market Wednesday, weakening from 311.30/40 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields closed up.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-flat-bond-yields-edge-up-264377/

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields flat, half of offered bills sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields were flat across maturities at Wednesday’s auction, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed, with 60.79 billion rupees sold of an offered 120 billion.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-flat-half-of-offered-bills-sold-264360/

Sri Lanka stocks close up 1-pct, Dockyard sees interest
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 1 percent on Wednesday, led by capital goods and banking, data on its site showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-1-pct-dockyard-sees-interest-264364/

Hayleys debenture issue oversubscribed
Hayleys PLC said its initial listed rated unsecured senior redeemable debenture issue has been oversubscribed, with applications exceeding Rs. 5 billion.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/business/Hayleys-debenture-issue-oversubscribed/34-789772

Sri Lanka’s Ambeon Holdings to offer share subdivision
Sri Lanka’s Ambeon Holdings has announced a share sub-division which will see a share split into four.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-ambeon-holdings-to-offer-share-subdivision-264309/