SenFin Research – News Updates – 22 September 2026

SL’s inflation surges to 8.1% in August
Sri Lanka’s overall inflation rate, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, increased to 8.1% in August, up from 7.2% recorded in July, according to the Department of Census and Statistics.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Nf0C6cPIQBtdRRxJDZZo

Prime lending rate edges up
The weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) edged up 3 basis points to 10.76 percent in the week ending 18 September, even though most of the country’s larger commercial banks lowered their prime rates during the week, as per Central Bank data.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Prime-lending-rate-edges-up/273-350752

BOI puts first-half realised FDI at US$ 450mn, confident of meeting US$ 1.5bn target
Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI) received approximately US$ 450 million in realised foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first six months of 2026 and is confident of meeting its US$ 1.5 billion target for the year, BOI Director General Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena told Mirror Business.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/BOI-puts-first-half-realised-FDI-at-US-450mn-confident-of-meeting-US-1-5bn-target/245-350757

Tourism earnings cross US$ 2bn but trail revised target
Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings crossed the US$ 2 billion mark in August, a month later than in 2025, but at US$ 2,061.1 million for the first eight months the sector remains well short of the pace needed to meet the revised US$ 4.2 billion annual target, as per Central Bank data.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Tourism-earnings-cross-US-2bn-but-trail-revised-target/273-350755

Resus Energy commissions 2MW solar plant in Ampara
Resus Energy PLC yesterday said it has commissioned its 2MW solar power plant at Damana, Ampara, with commercial operations having begun on 18 September 2026.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/business/Resus-Energy-commissions-2MW-solar-plant-in-Ampara/34-797602


Sri Lanka apparel seeks competitive edge: JAAF
Sri Lanka’s apparel industry has called for a more competitive investment climate to drive export growth, where high utility and labour costs, regulatory constraints and limited market access are weakening the country’s ability to compete for new manufacturing investment, Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) Secretary General Yohan Lawrence said on First Capital Holdings ‘Global Trade Resets: What it means for Sri Lanka’s Apparel Industry’ programme yesterday (21).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/pXKwCr0lMxg9SUrEwe1A


Tech rally lifts global stocks as oil retreats on supply reports
Global equities advanced on Monday, driven by fresh evidence of surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure that lifted technology shares, while oil prices retreated on reports that more crude supply was leaving the Gulf than previously estimated, despite ongoing regional conflict.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Tech-rally-lifts-global-stocks-as-oil-retreats-on-supply-reports/42-797579


Hormuz crisis to push global coal demand to record high
The International Energy Agency expects coal demand to increase this year in response to ongoing oil and gas trade constraints stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Several countries have been forced to turn back to coal to fill the gap, as oil inventories are depleted and countries gradually expand their renewable energy capacity.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/MXp59Ho2e9zQjX9eDRp8

Oil rises slightly ahead of potential US-Iran talks
Oil prices gained on Tuesday as the market steadied after several days of declines, with investors awaiting developments on potential US-Iran talks at the United Nations General Assembly this week.
Source: (economynext) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-rises-slightly-ahead-potential-us-iran-talks-2026-09-22/

Gold may not have peaked yet as geopolitical risks rise: AIIB Treasurer
Gold prices may have further room to climb as heightened geopolitical uncertainty strengthens the precious metal’s appeal as portfolio insurance, visiting Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Treasurer Domenico Nardelli said, arguing that the market may not yet have reached its peak.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Gold-may-not-have-peaked-yet-as-geopolitical-risks-rise-AIIB-Treasurer/273-350754


Rising global Bond yields posing challenges to attract capital
Rising Bond yields in the US, UK, and Japan are making it harder for smaller markets such as Sri Lanka to attract capital, Frontier Research said in its weekly market note, as the world’s major central banks turn broadly hawkish in response to persistent inflation.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Rising-global-Bond-yields-posing-challenges-to-attract-capital/44-797595

Foreign investors sell Sri Lanka rupee bonds amid depreciation
Foreign investors sold Sri Lanka rupee bonds for the first time in 14 weeks in the week ended on September 18, Central Bank data showed, amid a depreciation of the rupee currency.

Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/foreign-investors-sell-sri-lanka-rupee-bonds-amid-depreciation-284165/


Sri Lanka rupee closes at 330.75/90 to US dollar spot, bond yields flat
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 330.75/90 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, improving from 330.75/331.25 the previous day, while bond yields closed flat, dealers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-330-75-90-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-flat-284154/

Sri Lanka stocks close lower; ASPI drops 0.37-pct
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Monday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.37 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-lower-aspi-drops-0-37-pct-284121/

Softlogic Finance to raise Rs. 1 b via Rights Issue
Softlogic Finance PLC yesterday said its Board of Directors had recommend a Rights Issue of ordinary voting shares to raise Rs. 1 billion and strengthen the company’s Tier 1 capital and expand its lending portfolio, particularly in the vehicle financing segment.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Softlogic-Finance-to-raise-Rs-1-b-via-Rights-Issue/44-797589


DFCC Bank announces Rs. 12.5 b debenture issue allotment
DFCC Bank PLC has finalised the allotment of its Rs. 12.5 billion debenture issue which will be exercised today. A total of 125 million Basel III-compliant, Tier 2, Listed, Rated, Unsecured, Subordinated, Redeemable five-year (2026/2031) debentures with a non-viability conversion feature, each with a par value of Rs. 100, have been allotted to subscribers.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/DFCC-Bank-announces-Rs-12-5-b-debenture-issue-allotment/42-797580

HDFC Bank reports resilient 1H performance, PBT up 85% YoY
HDFC Bank of Sri Lanka has demonstrated a resilient financial performance for the first half of 2026 reflecting steady progress despite a challenging operating environment.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/HDFC-Bank-reports-resilient-1H-performance-PBT-up-85-YoY/42-797574