SenFin Research – News Updates – 25 March 2026

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka keeps the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged
The Monetary Policy Board, at its meeting held yesterday, decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75%. The Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering evolving developments and outlook on the domestic and global fronts, with particular attention to
uncertainties arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Source: (CBSL) https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/press/pr/press_20260325_Monetary_Policy_Review_No_2_2026_e_Ga1k9.pdf

ADB steps up SL support with increased allocation
Visiting ADB President Kanda commends govt.’s handling of economic stability amid domestic recovery challenges and broader external uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/ADB-steps-up-SL-support-with-increased-allocation/245-336247

Sri Lanka records surplus in budget current account after 38-years : analysis
Sri Lanka has recorded a surplus in the current account of the budget after 38 years in 2025, central bank data showed as tax revenues surged and current spending was kept in check.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-records-surplus-in-budget-current-account-after-38-years-analysis-265092/

Top Russian official in Sri Lanka for G2G oil deal; talks are at diplomatic level: Minister
Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin will visit Sri Lanka to hold formal talks for a government-to-government oil deal. Cabinet Spokesman said this amid the fuel shortage and price hike.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/top-russian-official-in-sri-lanka-for-g2g-oil-deal-talks-are-at-diplomatic-level-minister-265113/

Strict fuel, energy saving rules imposed for government offices amid crisis
The government has introduced strict guidelines on the use of fuel and electricity in government institutions with immediate effect, warning of possible fuel supply disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Strict-fuel-energy-saving-rules-imposed-for-government-offices-amid-crisis/108-336187

ADB rolls out package to help Asia and Pacific mitigate Mideast conflict impacts
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday announced a financial support package to help its developing member countries (DMCs) mitigate the economic and financial impacts resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/ADB-rolls-out-package-to-help-Asia-and-Pacific-mitigate-Mideast-conflict-impacts/44-790021

Oil back above $ 100 on conflicting claims on US-Iran talks
The price of Brent crude oil rose back above $ 100 a barrel yesterday, after plunging on Monday, as conflicting accounts of potential talks between US and Iran emerged.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Oil-back-above-100-on-conflicting-claims-on-US-Iran-talks/44-790015

Cement prices rise as input costs climb, building materials surge
Cement prices have increased by around Rs. 150 to Rs. 175, according to industry sources, adding further pressure on Sri Lanka’s construction sector amid a broader rise in material costs.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/a43ScrbTsZ1TuEtNeqk7

Sri Lanka raises bus fares 12.19-pct after fuel price hike
Sri Lanka state run and private bus fares will go up by an average of 12.19 percent after the latest hike in fuel prices from midnight March 24, minister Nalinda Jayatissa has said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-raises-bus-fares-12-19-pct-after-fuel-price-hike-264934/

Sri Lanka expresses gratitude for Iran’s oil offer; says no ship to buy
Sri Lanka expressed gratitude for Iran’s offer to supply oil in the event of Colombo requests, but said the country has no ship to explore the offer.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-expresses-gratitude-for-irans-oil-offer-says-no-ship-to-buy-265119/

Energy costs bite as plantations brace for tariff increase
Sri Lanka’s plantation industry has warned that a proposed electricity tariff increase could erode export competitiveness and strain already elevated production costs, urging regulators to adopt a more targeted and sustainable pricing framework.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Energy-costs-bite-as-plantations-brace-for-tariff-increase/273-336241

Govt. assures adequate LPG supplies amid scheduled shipments
The Government yesterday assured that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies will remain sufficient in the coming months, citing confirmed shipment schedules by both State and private sector suppliers.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-assures-adequate-LPG-supplies-amid-scheduled-shipments/44-790019

GGGI continues support for SL’s sustainable capital markets through thematic bond partnerships
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is continuing to strengthen Sri Lanka’s sustainable finance ecosystem through technical support to financial institutions issuing thematic bonds.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/GGGI-continues-support-for-SLs-sustainable-capital-markets-through-thematic-bond-partnerships/273-336243

Sri Lanka and the Middle East War: Life and Business as usual, or face reality?
The war in the Middle East is into its fourth week now and there seems to be no abatement
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Sri-Lanka-and-the-Middle-East-War-Life-and-Business-as-usual-or-face-reality/273-336234

Iranian media says energy infrastructure in the country attacked
US-Israeli strikes have targeted two gas facilities and a pipeline, hours after Trump stepped back from his threat to attack power infrastructure, Iranian media is reporting.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/international/Iranian-media-says-energy-infrastructure-in-the-country-attacked/107-336198

Iran sends waves of missiles into Israel, dismisses Trump’s talk of negotiations as ’fake news’
Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, the Israeli military said, after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a threat to bomb the Islamic Republic’s power grid because of what he described as productive talks with Iranian officials.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/international/Iran-sends-waves-of-missiles-into-Israel-dismisses-Trumps-talk-of-negotiations-as-fake-news/107-336184

Massive explosion at crude oil refinery rocks Texas city
A massive explosion at a Texas crude oil refinery shot up towering plumes of dark smoke and physically shook locals’ homes before they were ordered to shelter in place on Monday.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/international/Massive-explosion-at-crude-oil-refinery-rocks-Texas-city/107-336159

SEC, CSE push SOEs toward market funding as listings, investor base expan
Sri Lanka’s securities regulator and stock exchange have stepped up efforts to bring State-owned enterprises into the capital market, as policymakers look to reduce reliance on Treasury funding and widen access to long-term financing.
Source : (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/T514tA2Nt4wBMcBYCqDn

Sri Lanka rupee continues depreciation, bond yields edge up
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 314.20/40 to the US dollar in the spot market Tuesday, depreciating further from 313.00/314.00 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields edged up slightly.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-continues-depreciation-bond-yields-edge-up-265099/

Sri Lanka stocks trend up after Trump announcement
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange opened up on Tuesday, a day after US President Donald Trump claimed he was pausing attacks on Iran infrastructure.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-trend-up-after-trump-announcement-264965/

Siyapatha Finance debenture issue oversubscribed
Siyapatha Finance PLC, a subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC and a prominent leader in Sri Lanka’s non-banking financial sector, announces the resounding success of its recent debenture issuance, which received an overwhelming response from investors, meeting and surpassing all expectations.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/25/business/971977/siyapatha-finance-debenture-issue-oversubscribed-3/

JXG announces Rs. 5bn IPO to fund new growth cycle
Janashakthi Group’s holding company JXG yesterday announced a Rs. 5 billion Initial Public Offering (IPO), marking a decisive push to scale its financial services platform across Sri Lanka and selected overseas markets, while reshaping its capital structure to support expansion and balance sheet flexibility.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/JXG-announces-Rs-5bn-IPO-to-fund-new-growth-cycle/273-336246

NDB raises LKR16bn in Sri Lanka’s largest GSS+ bond issue
National Development Bank has raised 16 billion rupees in Sri Lanka’s largest green, social, sustainable and sustainability-linked bond issuance.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/ndb-raises-lkr16bn-in-sri-lankas-largest-gss-bond-issue-264969/