SenFin Research – News Updates – 24 April 2026

GDP per capita exceeds USD 5,000, EPF closes Rs. 5 Tn mark
The country’s GDP per capita has reached USD 5,003 and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) closing on the Rs. 5 trillion mark, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Annual Economic Review 2025 reveals.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/24/business/984470/gdp-per-capita-exceeds-usd-5000-epf-closes-rs-5-tn-mark/

$ 2.5 m debt breach hits during ‘vulnerable’ transition as Treasury reassures creditors
Sri Lanka’s Treasury yesterday sought to reassure creditors that external debt servicing will continue, after a $ 2.5 million cyber breach linked to a bilateral repayment exposed vulnerabilities during what officials described as a “vulnerable” transition in public debt management.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/2-5-m-debt-breach-hits-during-vulnerable-transition-as-Treasury-reassures-creditors/44-791072

Migrant worker remittances rise 26.5% in first quarter : SLBFE
Remittances from migrant workers rose by 26.5% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment said, citing Central Bank data.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/23/migrant-worker-remittances-rise-26-5-in-first-quarter-slbfe/

Sri Lanka confident there is no technical default over cyber heist of debt repayment
Sri Lanka is confident that there is no technical default after hackers diverted funds destined to Australia’s export credit agency, Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-confident-there-is-no-technical-default-over-cyber-heist-of-debt-repayment/-/268228/

1Q exports edge up to $ 4.3 b, but March hit by Middle East tensions
Sri Lanka’s total export earnings registered a modest increase in the first quarter of 2026, reaching over $ 4.3 billion, up 1.6% year-on-year (YoY), according to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/1Q-exports-edge-up-to-4-3-b-but-March-hit-by-Middle-East-tensions/26-791078

Total export earnings increase to USD 4,308.11 Mn in 1Q -2026
Sri Lanka’s total export earnings increased to USD 4,308.11 million in the first quarter of 2026, recording a growth of 1.59% compared to the same period in 2025, the Export Development Board said.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/24/business/984458/total-export-earnings-increase-to-usd-4308-11-mn-in-1q-2026/

HIP sets new container throughput record with MSC Vessel
Hambantota International Port (HIP) successfully handled container vessel MSC Marie Leslie, marking one of its highest-volume vessel calls to date.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/24/business/984467/hip-sets-new-container-throughput-record-with-msc-vessel/

Cabinet approves revision of National Housing Policy
The Cabinet of Ministers earlier this week approved plans to revise the National Housing Policy to better address evolving challenges in housing and human settlements, with a focus on low-income communities.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Cabinet-approves-revision-of-National-Housing-Policy/44-791068

Iran war to push over 30 m into poverty, UNDP warns
More than 30 million people could be pushed back into poverty due to the economic fallout from the Iran war, including disruptions to fuel and fertiliser supplies at a critical point in the agricultural cycle, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Alexander De Croo said yesterday.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Iran-war-to-push-over-30-m-into-poverty-UNDP-warns/44-791074

Australia aware of Sri Lanka Treasury $2.5mn breach, coordinating investigations
Australia has said it is aware of the 2.5 million dollar fraud in Sri Lanka’s Treasury, and local authorities are coordinating with Australian officials assisting the investigation.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/australia-aware-of-sri-lanka-treasury-2-5mn-breach-coordinating-investigations/-/268164/

France, Sri Lanka discuss bilateral cooperation
The French Senate’s France-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group chair Vanina Paoli-Gagin has discussed support for increasing exports to the EU, Sri Lanka tourism and other bilateral ties with Minister Vijitha Herath.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/france-sri-lanka-discuss-bilateral-cooperation/-/268149/

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended by three weeks after Oval Office meeting
Lebanon and Israel extended their ceasefire for three weeks after a high-level meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanon-seek-ceasefire-extension-us-hosted-talks-with-israel-2026-04-23/

Traders place $430 million bet on lower oil price before Trump ceasefire extension
Traders placed a series of bets worth $430 million on a drop in crude prices just 15 minutes before U.S. President Donald Trump said he would extend a ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/traders-place-430-million-bet-lower-oil-price-before-trump-ceasefire-extension-2026-04-22/

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.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Unit-Trusts-offer-stability-amid-global-market-uncertainty/42-791049

Sri Lanka rupee depreciates further; bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 318.25/319.00 to the US dollar in the spot next market Thursday, depreciating from 316.75/317.00 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-depreciates-further-bond-yields-steady/-/268230/

CBSL rates: Rupee continues to depreciate against USD
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (23), compared to Wednesday.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/23/cbsl-rates-rupee-continues-to-depreciate-against-usd/

Sri Lanka stocks close down on selling pressure
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Thursday amidst some selling pressure, brokers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-on-selling-pressure/-/268194/

JXG IPO 3X oversubscribed showcasing strong investor confidence
The Initial Public Offering (IPO) of JXG (Janashakthi Group), the largest IPO in almost 15 years, was oversubscribed on its opening day, with a total of 20,397 applications amounting to LKR 15,164,145,000 reflecting an oversubscription of over three times.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/24/business/984437/jxg-ipo-3x-oversubscribed-showcasing-strong-investor-confidence/

Deloitte India forensic auditor for NDB’s Rs. 13.2 b fraud
National Development Bank PLC (NDB) has commissioned Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP to conduct a forensic review into the recent Rs. 13.2 billion fraud incident, with the engagement carried out in consultation with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) Director of Bank Supervision and findings to be reported directly to the regulator.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Deloitte-India-forensic-auditor-for-NDB-s-Rs-13-2-b-fraud/44-791075