SenFin Research – News Updates – 22 October 2026

Industry and construction lag personal credit
Banks added Rs. 550 billion in Personal Loans and Advances in the first eight months of 2026, the most of any main sector. Credit to Industry grew by Rs. 347 billion and to Construction by Rs. 131 billion, and growth in both slowed sharply in May to August compared with a year earlier. The figures come from the Central Bank’s Monthly Survey of loans and advances by licensed commercial banks to key sectors. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Industry-and-construction-lag-personal-credit/44-798984

ADB approves $100mn for Sri Lanka welfare and growth
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $100 million in financing to support reforms and investments that will strengthen social protection, economic inclusion, and well-being and resilience among the poor and elderly in Sri Lanka. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/adb-approves-100mn-for-sri-lanka-welfare-and-growth-287359/

Fitch Ratings recalibrates Sri Lanka’s national rating scale
Fitch Ratings-Singapore-21 October 2026: Fitch Ratings has recalibrated its Sri Lanka National Rating scale to reflect changes in the relative creditworthiness among Sri Lankan issuers. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/fitch-ratings-recalibrates-sri-lankas-national-rating-scale-287353/

Sri Lanka’s national inflation steady at 40-month high of 8.1-pct in September
Sri Lanka’s nation-wide inflation index, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) on a year-on-year basis, was 8.1 percent in September 2026, steady from a month ago, data from the state statistics office showed. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-national-inflation-steady-at-40-month-high-of-8-1-pct-in-september-287409/

IPS calls for targeted wealth taxation, says VAT cuts premature
Sri Lanka should shift part of its tax burden towards accumulated wealth and assets through targeted measures rather than a comprehensive net wealth tax, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) said, cautioning that VAT cuts would be premature and further rate hikes are highly unlikely. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/business/IPS-calls-for-targeted-wealth-taxation-says-VAT-cuts-premature/34-798935

Loss from inferior coal tops Rs. 18.3 b
Inferior-quality coal has led to losses amounting to Rs. 18.3 billion, Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development Chairman, SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said yesterday, tabling an expert committee report on the losses. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Loss-from-inferior-coal-tops-Rs-18-3-b/26-798908

Direct yuan settlement to ease Sri Lanka-China trade payments
Sri Lanka launched a yuan settlement facility through Bank of China’s Colombo branch, opening a more direct payment channel for trade with China, with the potential to lower the currency conversion costs and speed up transactions.Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Direct-yuan-settlement-to-ease-Sri-Lanka-China-trade-payments/273-352930

Sri Lanka moves to enforce standards for imported vehicle tyres
The government has moved to introduce Sri Lanka Standards for imported passenger car and three-wheeler tyres, in a move aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring fair competition for local manufacturers. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Sri-Lanka-moves-to-enforce-standards-for-imported-vehicle-tyres/273-353020

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields rise on shorter term, less bills sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields rose on the shorter tenor at Wednesday’s auction, with 80.61 billion rupees of bills sold of an offered 100 billion, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-rise-on-shorter-term-less-bills-sold-287403/

Sri Lanka rupee at 331.87/95 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 331.87/95 to the US dollar in the spot market on Wednesday, from 331.60/70 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-at-331-87-95-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-287285/

Sri Lanka stocks close down; ASPI sheds 0.28-pct
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Wednesday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.28 percent. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-aspi-sheds-0-28-pct-287394/

Resus Energy Green Bond dual-listed in Luxembourg
Resus Energy PLC yesterday said its Green Bond was listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) on 19 October, 2026, giving the renewable energy company’s debt a dual listing alongside the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Resus-Energy-Green-Bond-dual-listed-in-Luxembourg/44-798909

Sri Lanka’s Access Engineering drops S Asia logistics hub project, expects Rs1.45bn recovery
Sri Lanka’s Access Engineering PLC said shareholders have agreed not to proceed with the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub project, following an initial corporate disclosure made in April 2023. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-access-engineering-drops-s-asia-logistics-hub-project-expects-rs1-45bn-recovery-287198/

Sri Lanka’s Luminex suspends Oman operations
Sri Lanka listed firm Luminex said it has decided to temporarily suspend the business operations of its subsidiary in Oman, Luminex International LLC. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-luminex-suspends-oman-operations-287291/

Sri Lanka’s Industrial Asphalts put on CSE Watch List over auditor disclaimer
Sri Lanka listed firm Industrial Asphalts has been moved to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Watch List after its external auditor, B R De Silva & Co, issued a Disclaimer of Opinion on its financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2026. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-industrial-asphalts-put-on-cse-watch-list-over-auditor-disclaimer-287375/

NDB posts 3Q PAT of Rs. 2.9 b
National Development Bank PLC (NDB) yesterday said it posted a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2.9 billion during the third quarter. Releasing its financial results for the nine months ended 30 September, the bank said it delivered a strong performance during the period, underpinned by the resilience of its core banking franchise, disciplined execution of its strategic priorities, and the strength of its business model, despite the challenges arising from the fraud incident identified in April 2026. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/NDB-posts-3Q-PAT-of-Rs-2-9-b/44-798983

SDF seeks six more months to deploy green Bond funds
Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) yesterday said it has proposed extending the timeframe for allocating the proceeds of its Rs. 2 billion High Yield Sustainable Bond Issue 2025 by six months, as Rs. 337 million earmarked for green projects remains undisbursed. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/SDF-seeks-six-more-months-to-deploy-green-Bond-funds/42-799003

Sampath Bank’s Rs. 10 billion debenture issue oversubscribed
Sampath Bank PLC’s debenture issue attracted applications exceeding Rs. 10 billion, surpassing the maximum amount available under the offer. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Sampath-Banks-Rs-10-billion-debenture-issue-oversubscribed/273-353017