SenFin Research – News Updates – 24 March 2026

February national prices soften
The national inflation print showed the prices rising by 1.6 percent in the 12 months through February 2026, decelerating from 2.4 percent in January.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/February-national-prices-soften/273-336146

Sri Lanka sees 5-pct GDP growth for second consecutive year
Sri Lanka has seen a 5 percent growth in gross domestic product for 2025, surpassing 106.8 billion dollars, according to the country’s Department of Census and Statistics’ provisional GDP estimates.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sees-5-pct-gdp-growth-for-second-consecutive-year-264858/

Sri Lanka above target primary budget surplus partly due to central bank ‘deflation’
Sri Lanka has recorded primary surpluses above International Monetary Fund targets, after steep rises in tax rates, despite large state salary hikes and welfare payments, with low inflation amid (largely) deflationary policy that kept inflation below the central bank’s target.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-above-target-primary-budget-surplus-partly-due-to-central-bank-deflation-264911/

Gold prices decline
With the rapid decline in the price of gold in the world market due to the prevailing war situation in the Middle East region, there has been a significant decrease in the price of gold in the local market as well.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/24/business/971298/gold-prices-decline-2/

Middle East Conflict: The impact on migration and remittances in SL
With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East (ME), Sri Lanka finds itself at a particularly vulnerable juncture as it carefully navigates a fragile economic recovery. Labour migration offers jobs to counteract the lack of opportunities within the economy. Related micro-level remittances prevent households from dipping back into poverty.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/LBrz1syTz4lAkO0ndBFs

Food importers warn 10-20% price rise ahead of festive season, assure no shortages
Essential food importers have sought to calm fears of shortages ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, while cautioning that consumers should expect price increases of between 10-20% as higher fuel, freight, and insurance costs filter through the supply chain.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Food-importers-warn-10-20-price-rise-ahead-of-festive-season-assure-no-shortages/44-789979

Global demand destruction: Risks escalate, SL shows signs
Economies like Sri Lanka which are exposed to external vulnerabilities due to its weaker currency, limited fiscal space, and a dependence on imports, offer signs of potential global demand destruction, owing to the effects of the war in the Middle East, particularly due the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Atlantic Council Global Energy Centre Nonresident Senior Fellow Phillip Cornell wrote, last Friday (20).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/wg07PGQiJewVuDyO760o

IMF path risks squeezing dollar earners, economist warns
Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic adjustment under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme risks weakening the country’s dollar-generating sectors, even as it meets the key targets, a senior economist said, highlighting the emerging strains in credit, fiscal space and private sector balance sheets.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/IMF-path-risks-squeezing-dollar-earners-economist-warns/273-336144

US embassy in Sri Lanka warns citizens to ‘exercise increased caution’
The US Embassy in Colombo has urged US citizens in Sri Lanka to exercise increased caution and follow security alerts it issues.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/us-embassy-in-sri-lanka-warns-citizens-to-exercise-increased-caution-264839/

Colombo Port expected to benefit from Middle East crisis as February numbers hint at growth
The Port of Colombo recorded a 4.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in total container throughput in February, handling 636,084 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared to 606,784 TEUs in the same period last year.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Colombo-Port-expected-to-benefit-from-Middle-East-crisis-as-February-numbers-hint-at-growth/245-336148

Oil falls below $ 100 as Trump postpones military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days
US President Donald Trump yesterday said that he has ordered the US military to postpone strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days after holding “good and productive conversations” with Tehran.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Oil-falls-below-100-as-Trump-postpones-military-strikes-on-Iranian-power-plants-for-five-days/44-789977

High-level visit focuses on economic engagement and disaster assessment
President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Masato Kanda, arrived in Sri Lanka last morning (23) for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, engaging with key stakeholders and assessing cyclone-related damage in affected areas.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/24/business/971453/high-level-visit-focuses-on-economic-engagement-and-disaster-assessment/

President urges countrywide push to curb peak-hour energy use amid global supply strain
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday directed officials to intensify public awareness campaigns on prudent electricity use during peak hours, as the country seeks to safeguard energy security against the backdrop of global supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/President-urges-countrywide-push-to-curb-peak-hour-energy-use-amid-global-supply-strain/44-789981

Iran will offer fuel and essential supplies to Sri Lanka if requested, says Ambassador
Iran has expressed readiness to supply oil and other essential goods to Sri Lanka if requested, reaffirming its longstanding ties with the country, Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkhosh said at a media briefing in Colombo.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Iran-will-offer-fuel-and-essential-supplies-to-Sri-Lanka-if-requested-says-Ambassador/44-789980

SEC and CSE strengthen role of auditors of Watchlist companies
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) jointly organised an awareness session recently, for auditors of companies, which are currently on the CSE Watchlist.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/SEC-and-CSE-strengthen-role-of-auditors-of-Watchlist-companies/42-789964

ADB President begins three-day Sri Lanka visit with focus on recovery and resilience
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening economic cooperation, reviewing development priorities, and assessing Cyclone Ditwah-related damage in affected districts.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/ADB-President-begins-three-day-Sri-Lanka-visit-with-focus-on-recovery-and-resilience/44-789982

Sri Lanka rupee continues depreciation, bond yields recover on Trump announcement
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 313.00/314.00 to the US dollar in the spot market Monday, depreciating further from 311.80/312.00 on Friday, dealers said, while bond yields recovered on signs of de-escalation as US President Doland Trump announced he was suspending Iran power plant attacks amid talks.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-continues-depreciation-bond-yields-recover-on-trump-announcement-264884/

Sri Lanka stocks close down, crossings push turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Monday, with capital goods generating the most turnover.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-crossings-push-turnover-264878/

NDB’s GSS+Bond Issuance raises Rs. 16 Bn breaking new ground
National Development Bank PLC (NDB)commemorated raising LKR.16bn with its first ever issuance of BASEL III compliant GSS+ (Green, Social, Sustainable & Sustainability Linked)bonds and the country’s largestissuance of GSS+ bonds to dateby way of a market opening ceremony conducted on the trading floor of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) last Friday.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/24/business/971456/ndbs-gssbond-issuance-raises-rs-16-bn-breaking-new-ground/

Bank of Ceylon reinforces banking partnerships with India
The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) recently concluded a highly impactful and strategically significant visit to India, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening international banking relationships, enhancing regulatory engagement, and unlocking new avenues for growth across the region.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Bank-of-Ceylon-reinforces-banking-partnerships-with-India/42-789989

People’s Insurance reports strong growth and financial stability in Q4
People’s Insurance PLC has reported strong financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2025, demonstrating resilience and sustained growth amid evolving market conditions.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/People-s-Insurance-reports-strong-growth-and-financial-stability-in-Q4/42-789962

Lee Hedges to acquire full stake in Lanka Realty Developments for Rs. 3.16 b
Lee Hedges PLC has announced plans to acquire the entire issued share capital of Lanka Realty Developments Ltd. (LRD) through a two-part transaction valued at over Rs. 3.16 billion.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/business/Lee-Hedges-to-acquire-full-stake-in-Lanka-Realty-Developments-for-Rs-3-16-b/34-790002

Janashakthi’s Rs. 5 b IPO gets CSE nod
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has granted in-principle approval for Janashakthi Ltd., (JXG) to proceed with an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 500 million ordinary voting shares via an Offer for Subscription.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Janashakthi-s-Rs-5-b-IPO-gets-CSE-nod/44-789978

Asian stock markets plunge amid Trump’s ultimatum on Iran
Stock markets in the Asia Pacific have fallen sharply amid US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum warning Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the annihilation of its energy infrastructure.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Asian-stock-markets-plunge-amid-Trump-s-ultimatum-on-Iran/42-789995

Asian currencies weaken as Korean won hits 17-year low
Asian currencies weakened against the US dollar on Monday as the South Korean won fell to a 17-year low, breaching 1,510 per dollar amid continued volatility from the Middle East crisis.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Asian-currencies-weaken-as-Korean-won-hits-17-year-low/42-789994