SenFin Research – News Updates – 21 September 2026

Forex Rules 2026: Small importers face rising cash-flow risks
Sri Lankan small-scale chemical importers and blenders who predominantly purchase their stocks in foreign currency while relying on short-term credit are increasingly exposed to compliance and cash-flow risks under the general import payment monitoring rules introduced in June 2026, according to SenFin Securities' report on the impact of chemical import regulatory changes on CSE-listed companies. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/ASnkiJxMXXv8g0nFQhOL

Sri Lankan economy grows 4.2% in Q2 2026
Sri Lanka’s economy grew by 4.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, compared to the 5.0 per cent growth recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025, with industry and services recording positive growth while agriculture contracted. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/09/21/business/1040183/sri-lankan-economy-grows-4-2-in-q2-2026/

1Q-2Q gap reflects seasonal pattern, not loss of momentum, DCS data show
Sri Lanka’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell 17.1% between the first and second quarters of 2026, but the drop mirrors a recurring seasonal pattern rather than a genuine loss of economic momentum within the year, according to a Daily FT analysis of Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) data. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/1Q-2Q-gap-reflects-seasonal-pattern-not-loss-of-momentum-DCS-data-show/44-797538

Tourism earnings snap 10-month slide, but August still 30% below 2018
Lanka’s tourism earnings broke a 10-month year-on-year (YoY) decline in August, rising 2.1% to $ 264.4 million despite a 3.3% drop in tourist arrivals, offering a modest sign of resilience even as the sector remains sharply below its pre-crisis earnings performance. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tourism-earnings-snap-10-month-slide-but-August-still-30-below-2018/44-797537

External sector: Sri Lanka tourism earnings fall by 10%
Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings fell by 10% year-on-year to $ 2.06 billion during the first eight months of 2026, compared to $ 2.29 billion recorded during the corresponding period of 2025, according to Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/8N32oPfT85GmbEEfYLYu

Sri Lanka ranks 35th in global Welcoming Ranking
Passport Reports’ September data place Sri Lanka 35th among 199 countries in the Welcoming Ranking, while the Sri Lankan passport is ranked 170th globally (Sri Lanka Passport Ranking). Passport Reports, which prepares and publishes passport reports for 199 countries in 34 languages, records a Mobility Score of 53 and global access of 26.8% for Sri Lankan passport holders. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/business/Sri-Lanka-ranks-35th-in-global-Welcoming-Ranking/34-797529

Sri Lanka spices industry targets $ 1 b exports, but value addition is key: SAPPTA
Spices and Allied Products Producers’ and Traders’ Association (SAPPTA) Chairman Ryan Rambukwella said Sri Lanka’s spices industry should target $ 1 billion in export revenue at the earliest, but achieving that ambition will require a decisive shift from commodity trading towards value addition, branded products, technology, and stronger coordination across the value chain. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-spices-industry-targets-1-b-exports-but-value-addition-is-key-SAPPTA/44-797533

El Niño, Indian Ocean Dipole effects on Sri Lanka remain highly uncertain
UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche said the combined impact of El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole on Sri Lanka remains highly uncertain, warning that the country needs to prepare for multiple possible scenarios, in a discussion with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, a video of which Premadasa has released. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/El-Ni%C3%B1o-Indian-Ocean-Dipole-effects-on-Sri-Lanka-remain-highly-uncertain/44-797534

Rs. 10 b PLC debenture issue gets CSE green light
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on Friday approved in principle an application by People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC) to list its upcoming Rs. 10 billion listed, rated, subordinated, unsecured, redeemable debenture issue. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Rs-10-b-PLC-debenture-issue-gets-CSE-green-light/44-797536

Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings Rs. 5 b debenture issue 13% oversubscribed
Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC’s (ASHH) initial public debenture issue has been oversubscribed, with total applications of Rs. 5,654 million received against a maximum issue size of Rs. 5 billion. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Aitken-Spence-Hotel-Holdings-Rs-5-b-debenture-issue-13-oversubscribed/44-797535

Commercial Bank crowned Sri Lanka’s Best Bank and Best ESG Bank by Euromoney
Reaffirming its undisputed leadership in Sri Lanka’s banking landscape, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has secured two of the most coveted accolades at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, winning the titles of ‘Best Bank in Sri Lanka’ and ‘Best ESG Bank in Sri Lanka’ in a dual triumph directly rooted in its deeply embedded Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Commercial-Bank-crowned-Sri-Lanka-s-Best-Bank-and-Best-ESG-Bank-by-Euromoney/42-797513

Renewable energy: WindForce launches first grid-scale battery storage, floating solar
Renewable energy producer WindForce PLC has officially expanded its total generation capacity to approximately 268 MW following the dual commissioning of its first standalone battery energy storage system and a new floating solar power plant. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/EwEwfyDeiU8FpvMYnfz3