SenFin Research – News Updates – 23 July 2026

OVERNIGHT POLICY RATE: CBSL warns of inflationary spike
Though the Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced a rate-hold yesterday (22), Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe cautioned that an inflationary spike is likely in the coming months, driven by the pass-through of recent domestic fuel price adjustments linked to the Middle East conflict.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/sI76cHDxSt5Jz9I7wcTR

CBSL holds policy rate at 8.75%
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday announced an unchanged stance on policy rates at 8.75% following the Monetary Board Review on Tuesday, citing evolving external shocks stemming from the renewed tensions in the Middle East.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/CBSL-holds-policy-rate-at-8-75/44-794986


Credit growth to moderate: CBSL
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday said the rapid private sector credit expansion has been broad-based across the economy rather than concentrated in a few sectors, while expressing confidence that the monetary tightening introduced in May will gradually moderate lending and demand pressures.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Credit-growth-to-moderate-CBSL/44-794985

LTV limits to remain for vehicle imports: CBSL
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday said the loan-to-value (LTV) restrictions on lending for motor vehicles and gold-backed loans will remain in place as macroprudential measures.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/LTV-limits-to-remain-for-vehicle-imports-CBSL/44-794984

Central Bank chooses caution over cuts as global risks return
The Central Bank left its key policy rate unchanged this week but struck a more cautious tone on the inflation outlook, indicating that the policymakers remain prepared to tighten the monetary conditions further, if the price pressures persist amid the renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Central-Bank-chooses-caution-over-cuts-as-global-risks-return/273-346375

Exports: SL Jan-June earnings up by 8.95% y-o-y
Sri Lanka’s cumulative merchandise export earnings between January to June of 2026 amounted to $ 7,073.31 million (m), reflecting an 8.95 % year-on-year (y-o-y) increase compared to the same period in 2025, while total export earnings for the year surpassed $ 9 billion (b), monthly data released by the Export Development Board said.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/W5YBi9wvLbwey3PiTEnr

Sri Lanka foreign reserves fall to $6.4bn amid higher imports, CB expects recovery
Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves has come under scrutiny following a recent drop in official figures, with opposition politicians alleging dollar sales by the central bank to defend the local currency, while monetary authorities attributed the decline to elevated import demand.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-foreign-reserves-fall-to-6-4bn-amid-higher-imports-cb-expects-recovery-279134/

Rupee stabilises after depreciation pressures: CBSL
The Sri Lankan rupee, despite experiencing a depreciation observed by the dynamics on a month-to-month basis, has recorded a marginal appreciation in July 2026, against the US dollar in 2026 so far, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Monetary Policy Review No 04 of 2026 held yesterday (22).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/CdLVYsrZDR6CVcLsWVOl

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields drop, Rs140bn sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields dipped across shorter maturities at Wednesday’s auction, with all offered 140 billion rupees of bills sold, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-drop-rs140bn-sold-279128/

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 336.35/40 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 336.35/40 to the US dollar in the spot market on Wednesday, from 336.35/50 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-336-35-40-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-279136/

CSE breathes after CBSL keeps rates steady
The Colombo stock market ended a three-session losing streak to close yesterday in the green buoyed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s monetary policy decision to hold rates steady.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/CSE-breathes-after-CBSL-keeps-rates-steady/42-794978

Sri Lanka stocks trend up after policy rate announcement
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange was trending up midweek with the All Share Price Index up 0.39 percent, CS data showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-trend-up-after-policy-rate-announcement-279099/

Capital market: Mercantile’s Rs 1.1 b rights issue oversubscribed
Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC (MI Finance) concluded its Rights Issue oversubscribed, raising Rs 1.1 billion in new capital, as applications outpaced the initial share offering.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/wlMldXRVGpvxHIfn8zS2

LRI unlocks Rs. 2.26 b through strategic transfer of Unity Plaza investment to Lee Hedges PLC
Lanka Realty Investments PLC (LRI PLC) has successfully completed the strategic transfer of its 50.88% controlling stake in On’ally Holdings PLC to Lee Hedges PLC for approximately Rs. 2.26 billion, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating a focused listed commercial property platform while enhancing financial flexibility across the Group.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/LRI-unlocks-Rs-2-26-b-through-strategic-transfer-of-Unity-Plaza-investment-to-Lee-Hedges-PLC/44-794982

Cargills CEO, family dispose of Rs.2.25bn worth of shares
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC Deputy Chairman and Group CEO V.R. Page and the members of his immediate family have disposed of shares worth of about Rs.2.25 billion, according to a stock exchange filing.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Cargills-CEO-family-dispose-of-Rs-2-25bn-worth-of-shares/273-346373


Sri Lanka stocks close flat, Seylan Bank and PickMe drive minor gains
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed up a marginal 0.02 percent after rising steadily throughout the day, CSE data showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-flat-seylan-bank-and-pickme-drive-minor-gains-279117/

NDB posts PAT of Rs. 3 b in 2Q 2026 driven by core banking operations
National Development Bank PLC (NDB) has announced its financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Despite the challenges arising from the fraud uncovered in April 2026, the bank delivered healthy results, driven by strong core banking operations, reflecting the resilience of its business model and the clarity of its strategic direction.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/NDB-posts-PAT-of-Rs-3-b-in-2Q-2026-driven-by-core-banking-operations/44-794981