SenFin Research – News Updates – 22 June 2026

Sri Lanka economy maintains growth momentum
Sri Lanka’s economy maintained its growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2026, with agriculture, industry and services sectors recording broad-based expansion, while improved fiscal indicators and rising stock market indices underscored strengthening economic conditions, according to the latest weekly highlights released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/22/business/1013977/sri-lanka-economy-maintains-growth-momentum/

Tax officials blame past policies for distortions
Treasury and Inland Revenue Department (IRD) officials have defended the Government’s proposal to lower the Value Added Tax (VAT) registration threshold, arguing that Sri Lanka’s longstanding failure to broaden the tax base has contributed to fiscal imbalances and entrenched economic distortions.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tax-officials-blame-past-policies-for-distortions/44-793605

CBSL seeks public views ahead of inflation target review
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has invited the public to submit views on the country’s inflation target and related monetary policy parameters as part of a review process scheduled to conclude in October 2026.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/CBSL-seeks-public-views-ahead-of-inflation-target-review/44-793600

Tourism earnings slip despite record May arrivals
Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange earnings from tourism declined in May despite recording its highest-ever monthly increase in visitor arrivals, highlighting persistent pressure to convert rising tourist numbers into stronger revenue growth.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tourism-earnings-slip-despite-record-May-arrivals/44-793601

US dollar loses momentum ahead of key US inflation data
The week ahead will bring a fresh test for major currency pairs as investors digest the first Federal Reserve (Fed) policy decision under Chair Kevin Warsh and look ahead to the United States (US) Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data, global PMI releases, and central-bank commentary.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/US-dollar-loses-momentum-ahead-of-key-US-inflation-data/42-793618

Colombo Port transhipment growth accelerates as CWIT ramps up operations
The Port of Colombo recorded significant growth in container transhipment volumes in April 2026, building upon its record-breaking performance in the previous year.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Colombo-Port-transhipment-growth-accelerates-as-CWIT-ramps-up-operations/245-343537

New regulations tighten monitoring of import payments
The government has introduced stringent regulations to tighten oversight of outward remittances linked to import transactions, responding promptly to recent disclosures of an $85 million bogus import payment fraud.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/New-regulations-tighten-monitoring-of-import-payments/273-343530

Bond market bull run sees rates nosedive at week’s end
The secondary Bond market recorded a strong rally last week, supported by improving global and domestic fundamentals. Investor sentiment turned bullish following reports of the signing of an interim US-Iran peace agreement, which in turn contributed to a sharp decline in Brent crude oil prices, easing inflationary and external sector pressures.
Source: (economynext) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Bond-market-bull-run-sees-rates-nosedive-at-week-s-end/42-793622


Sri Lanka rubber sector maps out EUDR readiness
Sri Lanka's Rubber Development Department and the European Union-funded Green Recovery Facility recently organised a 80-stakeholders rubber industry gathering in Colombo to map out a capacity-building drive on meeting emerging international requirements on sustainability rules.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/FDLrhCM06JDM8a6HlXFR

India: US-Iran talks, crude prices likely to steer markets
Movement in the stock market will hinge on the outcome of talks between the US and Iran, crude oil prices and trading activity of foreign investors in the holiday-shortened week ahead, analysts said.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/B7MAkxasDl0OwL2XZXnA

CSE rebalances benchmark ASPI for second quarter from today
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has announced the quarterly rebalancing of the All Share Price Index (ASPI), with the latest adjustments set to take effect from the market opening today (22 June).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/CSE-rebalances-benchmark-ASPI-for-second-quarter-from-today/42-793621

ACL Cables, CIC Holdings, and ComBank non-voting shares enter S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announced that ACL Cables PLC, CIC Holdings PLC, and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC’s non-voting shares are the three new entrants to the S&P Sri Lanka 20 index, following the mid-year rebalance conducted by S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/ACL-Cables-CIC-Holdings-and-ComBank-non-voting-shares-enter-S-P-Sri-Lanka-20-Index/273-343536

NTB Rs. 15 b debenture issue oversubscribed on opening day
Nations Trust Bank PLC’s (NTB) Rs. 15 billion Basel III-compliant Tier 2 debenture issue has been oversubscribed, prompting the bank to close the offer ahead of schedule on 19 June.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/NTB-Rs-15-b-debenture-issue-oversubscribed-on-opening-day/44-793598

SEC rejects Hela Apparel request to defer trading suspension
Hela Apparel Holdings PLC faces a trading suspension of its shares after the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) rejected its request to defer the regulatory action.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/SEC-rejects-Hela-Apparel-request-to-defer-trading-suspension/273-343531

Abans Finance doubles profit in 20th anniversary year
Abans Finance PLC has reported another year of exceptional financial performance for the year ended March 31, 2026, reinforcing its position as one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing non-banking financial institutions.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Abans-Finance-doubles-profit-in-20th-anniversary-year/273-343525