SenFin Research – News Updates – 21 August 2026

Govt. briefs bondholders, says 94% of debt restructured
The Government has fully implemented over 94% of its public external debt restructuring and reached agreement on terms with just under 99% of external creditors, according to the latest investor presentation by the Finance Ministry and Central Bank, with a small number of creditor agreements still to be completed.Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-briefs-bondholders-says-94-of-debt-restructured/44-796305

CBSL tightens rules on structural changes in finance companies
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has introduced new rules governing structural changes in licensed finance companies (FCs), tightening oversight of investments, business expansion, capital adjustments and other major corporate changes.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/08/21/business/1034890/cbsl-tightens-rules-on-structural-changes-in-finance-companies/

Govt confident of achieving $ 9 b foreign reserve target
The Sri Lankan Government is confident that the annoying inward remittances trend would enable the Government to achieve its target of building $ 9 billion in foreign reserves by the end of 2026, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Prof Anil Jayantha Fernando said in Parliament yesterday (20). Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/uL68lLuu6rppX9EyGaxk

IRD explains VAT refund delays, says 95% processed on time
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has raised concerns over delays faced by small and medium exporters in obtaining Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds, while the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) maintained that about 95% of refunds are issued within the prescribed period. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/IRD-explains-VAT-refund-delays-says-95-processed-on-time/44-796309

IRD facing roadblocks in digital POS rollout
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has exposed a series of unresolved technical and implementation roadblocks in the Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) planned digital point-of-sale (POS) and real-time Value Added Tax (VAT) invoicing system, with officials acknowledging that full onboarding is expected to take two years despite the Government’s push to accelerate tax digitalisation. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/IRD-facing-roadblocks-in-digital-POS-rollout/26-796303

400k vacancies, yet skills gap deepens
Sri Lanka’s economy is facing a paradox that could constrain the country’s economic recovery, where the industries are still facing a critical skills shortage with around 400,000 job vacancies going unfilled, while unemployment persists, where industrial leaders struggle to find qualified workers, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Hadunnetti said yesterday (20). Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/LBBE0NlqWSSJsD774F8Y

Sri Lanka stocks dip; Industrial Asphalts spikes 16.7-pct ahead of buyback offer
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Thursday trading, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.05 percent.Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-dip-industrial-asphalts-spikes-16-7-pct-ahead-of-buyback-offer-281633/

Sri Lanka revised down 2026 tourist arrival, revenue targets
Sri Lanka has revised down its tourist arrival target and revenue goal, the country’s Tourism Promotion Bureau chief said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-revised-down-2026-tourist-arrival-revenue-targets-281580/

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 330.10/20 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee appreciated sharply to close at 330.10/20 to the US dollar in the spot market on Thursday, from 331.10/20 the previous day, while bond yields held broadly steady, dealers said.Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-330-10-20-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-281674/

Sri Lanka sells extra Rs14bn Treasury bills after auction
Sri Lanka has sold 14,000 million rupees of treasury bills offered on tap at average rates of 9.22 percent, 9.60 percent and 9.91 percent, the public debt management office said, bringing the total of bills sold this week to 154 billion rupees. .Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-extra-rs14bn-treasury-bills-after-auction-281635/

El Niño drought plagues 81,000
The worsening drought around the country has left 81,605 people from 25,563 families across seven Districts facing the effects of water shortages, prompting the Defence Ministry to issue a circular to ensure uninterrupted and increased water supplies to drought-hit communities.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/cbzpF32NrW0HBbKaEEt0

Palm oil hits highest since 2024 as biofuels, El Niño cut supply
Palm oil climbed to its highest level in about 20 months, as rising biofuel demand and mounting production risks from the strengthening El Niño underpin prices.Source: (The Edge Malaysia) https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/815198

Oil set for second weekly rise as unsettled US-Iran war crimps supply
Oil prices were little changed on Friday, but were on track for a second weekly rise as the stalemated U.S.-Iran war continues to disrupt supply from the key Middle East producing region. Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-set-second-weekly-rise-unsettled-us-iran-war-crimps-supply-2026-08-21/

Gold steadies, heads for third straight weekly gain
Gold held steady on Friday but was on track for a third straight weekly gain, buoyed by a weaker dollar and U.S. Treasury Department efforts to hold down longer-term yields. Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/gold-steadies-heads-third-straight-weekly-gain-2026-08-21/

Cigarette production drops 32% as tobacco taxes rise
Cigarette production in the country has fallen by 32% between 2022 and 2025, following successive increases in taxes imposed on tobacco products, Economic Development Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera told Parliament yesterday (20).
Source: (the morning)https://www.themorning.lk/articles/IEB4R6mw24qR7FItYYsV

New facility to bring all Gem and Jewellery activities under one roof
The governments is taking measures to open a Gem and Jewellery facility which will operate around the clock in Colombo which will bring all Gem and Jewellery activities under one roof, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, told the 26th Exporters’ Forum, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, on August 19 in Colombo. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/08/21/business/1034876/new-facility-to-bring-all-gem-and-jewellery-activities-under-one-roof/

Sierra Cables approves $ 3.23 m investment to double export capacity
Sierra Cables PLC yesterday said its Board of Directors has approved a $ 3.23 million capital investment in new machinery and infrastructure aimed at approximately doubling the company’s export production capacity amid sustained demand from overseas markets. Source: (Daily FT)https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sierra-Cables-approves-3-23-m-investment-to-double-export-capacity/44-796307

Singer Finance to raise Rs. 3 b via Rights to bolster capital
Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC is to raise up to Rs. 3 billion through a rights issue to strengthen its capital adequacy ratios and support lending. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Singer-Finance-to-raise-Rs-3-b-via-Rights-to-bolster-capital/44-796306

Hemas Twiga acquisition meant to unlock East Africa gateway
Hemas Holdings PLC’s acquisition of the 75% majority stake in Kenyan Twiga Stationers and Printers Limited, which holds roughly around 49.4% of the local stationary market share, was motivated by the need of the conglomerate to use its capabilities in a youth market, as Sri Lanka’s population continues to age, Hemas Holdings PLC Group CEO Ashish Chandra said, speaking at a press conference held in Colombo recently (19). Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/LrqWiAbgn1kQEd4GwgrN

Amana Bank 2Q profit rises 33% on financing, trading gains
Amana Bank PLC’s second-quarter profit rose 33 percent, as the growth in its core financing business and a threefold increase in trading income outweighed the higher operating costs and impairment charges. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Amana-Bank-2Q-profit-rises-33-on-financing-trading-gains/273-348482