SenFin Research – News Updates – 23 April 2026

Sri Lanka’s national inflation rises 2.4-pct in March
Sri Lanka’s nation-wide inflation index, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) on a year-on-year basis, was 2.4 percent in March 2026, compared with 1.6 percent in February 2026, data from the state statistics office showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-national-inflation-rises-2-4-pct-in-march/-/267862/

Tea production dips in March
According to the latest tea industry data, Sri Lanka’s tea production recorded a notable decline in March 2026, reflecting ongoing pressures on the island’s key export sector, owing to the tense situation in the Middle East region, which is country’s main tea export market.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/23/business/983811/tea-production-dips-in-march/

Gold prices increase after ceasefire
Gold prices firmed on Wednesday as lower oil prices, following a US extension of a ceasefire with Iran, eased fears of an inflation spike and prolonged high interest rates.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/XHmK0rlvL5b94LfSZBQG

Per capita GDP hits all-time high of $ 5,003 in 2025
Sri Lanka’s per capita GDP at current market prices rose to an all-time high of $ 5,003 in 2025, extending the recovery from the contraction seen during the economic crisis.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Per-capita-GDP-hits-all-time-high-of-5-003-in-2025/44-791010

Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process nearing completion
Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process is nearing completion, with significant progress recorded across negotiations and implementation, according to the latest 6th Co-Chairs Progress Report released by the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) recently.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/23/business/983861/sri-lankas-debt-restructuring-process-nearing-completion/

Opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters in Türkiye
Lütfü Turgut, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Sri Lanka, emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral trade relations. He highlighted opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters in several sectors while also pointing to collaboration opportunities, especially given the growing importance of governance and ethical trade standards, particularly for exporters seeking integration into global supply chains, addressing the recently held AGM of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/23/business/983846/opportunities-for-sri-lankan-exporters-in-turkiye/

Mideast war drives food, fuel and forex risks despite recovery: WFP
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery is facing renewed pressure from the Middle East conflict, with rising fuel costs, disrupted supply chains, and potential shocks to remittances threatening to reverse gains in inflation and household welfare, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Mideast-war-drives-food-fuel-and-forex-risks-despite-recovery-WFP/44-791012

Inadequate LPG price hike compels poor to subsidise wealthy: Advocata
Advocata Institute yesterday warned that the recent increase in domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices remains insufficient, effectively shifting the cost burden onto lower-income households through indirect cross-subsidies.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Inadequate-LPG-price-hike-compels-poor-to-subsidise-wealthy-Advocata/44-791011

Production costs: Growth, activity to slow due to rising costs
Sri Lanka’s overall economic activity is expected to slow down due to rising production costs in the industrial sector, and challenges faced in the export sector, University of Colombo Professor in Economics Priyanga Dunusinghe said, speaking on Ada Derana’s Big Focus programme held yesterday (22).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/YJL3QXx4lblXrZcW0oEt

Treasury officially responds: Claims hackers behind theft of funds
The Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry yesterday said cyber hackers had breached its systems, resulting in a reported loss of $ 2.5 million which was part of a bilateral payment to Australia.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Treasury-officially-responds-Claims-hackers-behind-theft-of-funds/44-791018

Unit trusts offer stability amid global market uncertainty
Amid ongoing global geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and resulting market volatility – including recent spillovers into regional equity markets, Sri Lanka’s unit trust industry continues to underscore the importance of disciplined investing. While recent market conditions have led to a moderation in fund inflows, industry participants highlight that such short-term movements often mirror prevailing market conditions and do not detract from the long-term value of staying invested.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/23/business/983880/unit-trusts-offer-stability-amid-global-market-uncertainty/

Are banks making profits at the cost of the economy?
Douglas J. Elliott, in his 2009 Brookings essay Banks and the Recession, reminded us that the purpose of banking is not simply to generate profits, but to provide capital and create employment. Banks are meant to be intermediaries — mobilising savings, channeling them into productive investment, and supporting resilience and growth.
Source: (Daily News) https://www.ft.lk/columns/Are-banks-making-profits-at-the-cost-of-the-economy/4-790993

Lessons for financial sector from recent bank fraud
This article follows my earlier commentary on the recent bank fraud that has unsettled several stakeholders in Sri Lanka’s financial sector. Many readers subsequently raised questions and sought further clarification on governance and control implications. The issue merits revisiting because the structural lessons extend well beyond a single institution or event.
Source: (Daily News) https://www.ft.lk/columns/Lessons-for-financial-sector-from-recent-bank-fraud/4-790992

Foreigners emerge net buyers after 21-days as CSE ends 0.25% on the up
Colombo stocks ended in green yesterday on renewed optimism for peach in the Middle East with foreign investors recording a net inflow for the first time after 21-session selling streak.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Foreigners-emerge-net-buyers-after-21-days-as-CSE-ends-0-25-on-the-up/42-790950

EPF assets rise 13.6% to Rs. 5 t in 2025
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) recorded a 13.6% increase in net worth to Rs. 4.9 trillion at end-2025, up from Rs. 4.4 trillion a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) Annual Economic Review 2025.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/EPF-assets-rise-13-6-to-Rs-5-t-in-2025/44-791017

EPF equity portfolio value up 27% to Rs. 188.9 b in 2025
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) recorded a sharp increase in the market value of its listed equity portfolio in 2025, rising to Rs. 188.85 billion as at 31 December from Rs. 148.25 billion a year earlier, reflecting a broad-based recovery in share prices.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/EPF-equity-portfolio-value-up-27-to-Rs-188-9-b-in-2025/44-791016

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields rise on shorter maturities, Rs110bn bills sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields rose on the shorter maturities at Wednesday’s auction, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed, with all 110 billion rupees of bills offered sold.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-rise-on-shorter-maturities-rs110bn-bills-sold/-/268055/

ASPI rises 0.06%, drops 0.14% intraday
Colombo’s All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 22,639.81 yesterday (22), up by 0.06% from the day before, however falling by 0.14% from its intra-day high, with total equity reaching Rs. 5.25 billion, the Colombo Stock Exchange’s stock report for day said
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/L80nCYRjYv2UCxQJ6NFj

Sri Lanka rupee closes weaker, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 316.75/317.00 to the US dollar in the spot market Wednesday, from 316.50/75 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-weaker-bond-yields-steady/-/268042/

Sri Lanka stocks close flat, insurance sector leads turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat on Wednesday, with the All Share Price Index rising a marginal 0.06 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-flat-insurance-sector-leads-turnover/-/268030/

Sri Lanka stocks trend up following Trump ceasefire announcement
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange opened up on Wednesday, CSE data showed, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that a ceasefire with Iran will continue while negotiations continued.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-trend-up-following-trump-ceasefire-announcement/-/267941/

Rs. 5 b Janashakthi IPO draws over Rs. 15 b in bids; heavy pro-rata cuts as demand tops 3x
Janashakthi Ltd., (JXG) yesterday announced the basis of allotment for its Rs. 5 billion Initial Public Offering (IPO), which was oversubscribed by more than three times on its opening day on 9 April.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Rs-5-b-Janashakthi-IPO-draws-over-Rs-15-b-in-bids-heavy-pro-rata-cuts-as-demand-tops-3x/44-791015

Financials: BOC’s PBT reaches Rs. 120.8 billion
Bank of Ceylon’s (BOC) 2025 Annual Report highlights a strong financial performance, with PBT reaching Rs. 120.8 billion, in addition to remitting approximately Rs. 77 billion in taxes, a statement released by the bank said, detailing its 2025 annual report presentation
Source: (the morning)* https://www.themorning.lk/articles/ToZ2msr2Q1jGh93MUF3M