SenFin Research – News Updates – 22 April 2026

SL recovery on edge as Middle East shock ripples through economy: CBSL
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery is entering a more fragile phase, with the Central Bank warning that rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are beginning to test the resilience built through recent stabilisation efforts, even as domestic conditions remain broadly supportive of growth.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/SL-recovery-on-edge-as-Middle-East-shock-ripples-through-economy-CBSL/245-338353

March national prices quicken over higher energy costs
Consumer prices measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) partly reflected the economy-wide price increases during March in response to the thrice raised fuel prices in response to the war in the Middle East.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/March-national-prices-quicken-over-higher-energy-costs/273-338349

SL’s labour force market improves
Sri Lanka’s labour market showed signs of recovery in early 2026, with the unemployment rate declining to 3.8% in Q4 2025 from 4.2% in Q4 2024.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/TgAMmDQwXBLlbYLKOA9D

ADB report states: Capex cuts erode fiscal planning
Due to Sri Lanka’s capital spending consistently falling short of budgeted levels – averaging only 3% of GDP between 2022 and 2025, below the 5-6% typically allocated – this has limited the Government’s ability to sustain multi-year investment programmes and has undermined the credibility of medium-term fiscal planning, a recently released Asian Development Bank report said.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/i9DA24QAHp2kflBSMSDG

Economic recovery remains resilient across all sectors in 2025
Sri Lanka’s economy showed resilience in 2025, with a 5% GDP growth. Agriculture (1.4%), industry (7.8%), and services (3.3%) contributed positively, while Cyclone Ditwah hindered fourth-quarter activity, causing $1.4 billion losses and moderating growth to 4.8%.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/22/business/983134/economic-recovery-remains-resilient-across-all-sectors-in-2025/
High energy prices will pressure oil-importing countries: Fitch
Frontier market economies that are sizeable net importers of fossil fuel, like Sri Lanka, will see increasing pressure on their balance of payments due to the rise in energy prices, Fitch Ratings has said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/high-energy-prices-will-pressure-oil-importing-countries-fitch/-/267759/

CBSL releases the publication on Financial Statements and Operations for 2025
The publication on the Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka 2025, a requirement under Section 99 (2) and 7 (1) (l) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Act, No 16 of 2023, was presented to President and Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, by Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the CBSL on Monday (20).
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/22/business/983170/cbsl-releases-the-publication-on-financial-statements-and-operations-for-2025/

Sri Lanka to see slow growth, widening fiscal deficit: Fitch
Fitch Ratings has said that Sri Lanka’s recovery remains fragile despite improved macroeconomic fundamentals, with the Middle East energy shock now testing the gains achieved through stabilisation and reforms.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Sri-Lanka-to-see-slow-growth-widening-fiscal-deficit-Fitch/26-790915

Oil Prices Rise: US stocks give back record rally gains
Global oil prices climbed Monday (20) following the latest rise of tensions between the United States and Iran, but the moves were more modest than they were earlier in the war.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/SrC7cDxglLzTlFib2rWS

Fitch Ratings withdraws Sri Lanka CEB’s A(lka) rating after utility break-up
Fitch Ratings has withdrawn Sri Lanka power utility Ceylon Electricity Board’s A(lka) National Long-Term Rating, which was on a Stable Outlook, as the CEB no longer exists following its dissolution in March 2026.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/fitch-ratings-withdraws-sri-lanka-cebs-alka-rating-after-utility-break-up/-/267844/

Tea output dips 14.5% in March amid dry weather
Sri Lanka’s tea production fell sharply in March, hit by prolonged dry and hot weather conditions, according to data analysed by Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tea-output-dips-14-5-in-March-amid-dry-weather/44-790922

Roadmap targets tripling insurance penetration by 2035 with mandatory cover, State-backed schemes
The regulator and insurance industry have unveiled a national roadmap aimed at doubling insurance penetration by 2030 and tripling it by 2035, including proposals to introduce mandatory home insurance and Government-supported schemes to widen coverage.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Roadmap-targets-tripling-insurance-penetration-by-2035-with-mandatory-cover-State-backed-schemes/44-790925

Sri Lanka rupee closes weaker, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 316.50/75 to the US dollar in the spot market Tuesday, from 316.30/70 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-weaker-bond-yields-steady/-/267851/

Sri Lanka stocks close up, as investors await US-Iran deal outcome
The Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Tuesday, as investors awaited an uncertain US-Iran truce.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-as-investors-await-us-iran-deal-outcome/-/267820/

Foreign investors in CSE pause 21-session selling streak
After a sustained 21-day selling streak, foreign investors in the Colombo stock market yesterday reversed course to emerge as net buyers.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Foreign-investors-in-CSE-pause-21-session-selling-streak/44-790916

Pension Fund: EPF exits investments in six listed companies in 2025
Latest data from the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) shows that the fund has fully divested its holdings in six companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange during 2025.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/QRdgj8GgHyX1D5JUKbz4

Rs.9 b Hayleys Rights issue oversubscribed; attracts Rs. 11.05 b subscriptions
The Hayleys PLC yesterday said its recently announced Rights issue has been oversubscribed, drawing total subscriptions of over Rs. 11 billion.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Rs-9-b-Hayleys-Rights-issue-oversubscribed-attracts-Rs-11-05-b-subscriptions/44-790923

Abans Finance gets CSE nod for Rs. 1.5 b debt issue
The Colombo Stock Exchange yesterday said it has granted in-principle approval for the listing of proposed debt securities of Abans Finance PLC.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Abans-Finance-gets-CSE-nod-for-Rs-1-5-b-debt-issue/44-790917

Sri Lanka’s Abans Finance to list 12.5-pct debentures
Sri Lanka’s Abans Finance, a subsidiary of Abans, said it has received Colombo Stock Exchange approval in principle to list 1.5 billion rupees of 12.50 percent fixed interest and floating rate of AWPLR plus 2.00 percent debentures.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-abans-finance-to-list-12-5-pct-debentures/-/267779/

CAPITAL MARKETS: Janashakthi IPO oversubscribed 3x
Final subscription figures for Janashakthi Limited’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) confirm overwhelming investor demand, with the issue being oversubscribed nearly three times over.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/fbcqjpwvWCNr8hfSyT0V