SenFin Research – News Updates – 26 May 2026

Sri Lanka Central Bank urges public not to be misled on money printing claim
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has urged the public not to be misled on the money printing claim by certain parties who it claimed do not posses technical knowledge to analyse such numbers.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-central-bank-urges-public-not-to-be-misled-on-money-printing-claim-272925/

Sri Lanka’s exports surpass US$ 5.7Bn in first four months of 2026
Sri Lanka’s total exports, comprising both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,380.93 million in April 2026, recording a year-on-year growth of 6 % compared to April 2025.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/26/business/1000354/sri-lankas-exports-surpass-us-5-7bn-in-first-four-months-of-2026/

CBSL imposes stricter lending curbs over gold, vehicle credit growth
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) moved to curb the rising risk exposure in the financial system this week by capping lending against gold and tightening the financing limits on motor vehicles, as the authorities flagged concerns over the rapid credit growth, amid the volatile asset prices and exchange rate pressures.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/CBSL-imposes-stricter-lending-curbs-over-gold-vehicle-credit-growth/273-341219

CBSL caps gold-backed loans at 70% of collateral value
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has introduced a maximum loan-to-value limit on credit facilities granted against gold collateral, effective Monday, 25 May.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/xhaBL6taN0kEcpV2s7QF

CBSL lowers vehicle loan limits
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has lowered the maximum loan-to-value ratios for motor vehicle loans with effect from Monday, 25 May.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/QidHRAba2oPak1mycsI6

Banks signal stronger credit appetite ahead of key CBSL policy decision
With probably the most anticipated Monetary Policy Statement in recent times to be announced by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today (26), it yesterday said banks continued to expand lending appetite and observed rising loan demand across most sectors during the first quarter of 2026, despite growing external risks from Middle East tensions and Cyclone Ditwah.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Banks-signal-stronger-credit-appetite-ahead-of-key-CBSL-policy-decision/44-792440

Former CBSL Chief says recent rupee pressure driven largely by external shocks, market overreaction
Former Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy has said the recent depreciation pressure on the rupee was driven primarily by external shocks stemming from the Middle East conflict, while arguing that market participants had overreacted despite major improvements in Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic policy framework.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Former-CBSL-Chief-says-recent-rupee-pressure-driven-largely-by-external-shocks-market-overreaction/44-792443

SL offers free tourist ETA to 40 countries
Sri Lanka has introduced a free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for tourists from 40 countries with effect from 25 May, the Department of Immigration and Emigration said.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/otdRtroZjyrDESivTXFO

SL apparel exports fall 4.7% in April
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports declined 4.72% year-on-year to $ 328.15 million in April, from $ 344.40 million a year earlier, as shipments to key traditional markets weakened.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/EYI3MIlaXALHZnV7O8Hn

Coconut export targets USD 1.5 to 2.5 Bn revenue
Sri Lanka’s coconut-based exports are projected to be a major foreign exchange driver, with coconut exports targeting USD 1.5 to 2.5 Bn revenue.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/26/business/1000415/coconut-export-targets-usd-1-5-to-2-5-bn-revenue/

An 18% penalty for being Sri Lankan
Picture a Sri Lankan manufacturer trying to supply some raw materials to a BOI industry. Yet every time he quotes, he loses the order to a supplier abroad. Not because the foreign product is better. Not because it is cheaper to make. But because the Sri Lankan government adds eighteen percent to his price as VAT the moment he quotes, while the same item arrives from abroad at zero VAT.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/An-18-penalty-for-being-Sri-Lankan/273-341207

IRCSL targets doubling insurance penetration by 2030
The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) yesterday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to double the country’s current insurance penetration level of 1.1% by 2030, while bringing an estimated 2.8 million uninsured vehicles into the formal insurance system through a new digital motor insurance initiative.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/IRCSL-targets-doubling-insurance-penetration-by-2030/42-792437

APFASL explores implications of new Electricity Acts and CEB restructuring
The Association of Public Finance Accountants of Sri Lanka (APFASL), the public sector wing of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), recently conducted a highly informative seminar on “Electricity/Energy Sector Reforms in Sri Lanka via the CEB Restructuring Exercise”, focusing on the implications of the Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024 and the subsequent Electricity (Amendment) Act of 2025.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/APFASL-explores-implications-of-new-Electricity-Acts-and-CEB-restructuring/273-341206

Global stocks jump on Iran peace hopes
Stocks surged and the U.S. dollar and oil prices slid on Monday as the prospect of a deal to end the Iran war buoyed risk appetite, although a lack of clarity over when the Strait of Hormuz would open kept enthusiasm in check.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Global-stocks-jump-on-Iran-peace-hopes/42-792467

Rupee to recover? BMI predicts major Sri Lanka rebound
Sri Lanka’s rupee is expected to recover from its recent decline by the end of 2026 as global oil prices ease and the Central Bank maintains a tighter monetary policy, according to BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/05/25/rupee-to-recover-bmi-predicts-major-sri-lanka-rebound/


Rupee strengthens further
The rupee strengthened against the US dollar for the second consecutive session yesterday.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Rupee-strengthens-further/44-792439

Sri Lanka rupee spot closes at 325.50/327 to US dollar, bond yields down
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 325.50/327.00 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, from 329.00/331.00 on Friday, dealers said, while bond yields closed sharply down.
Source: (the morning) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-spot-closes-at-325-50-327-to-us-dollar-bond-yields-down-272909/

Sri Lanka stocks close up, rupee stabilisation steers investor confidence
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Monday, because there was a bit of rupee stabilisation and rates went down brokers said.
Source: (the morning) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-rupee-stabilisation-steers-investor-confidence-272916/

HNB Finance records exceptional FY 2025/26 growth, with PAT doubled
HNB Finance PLC continued its strong growth momentum in FY 2025/26, recording a Profit After Tax of Rs. 1.68 billion, up 120% year-on-year, reflecting the Company’s sustained improvement in profitability, disciplined execution and growing customer franchise.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/26/business/1000408/hnb-finance-records-exceptional-fy-2025-26-growth-with-pat-doubled/

Dialog overtakes JKH as most valuable listed company
Dialog Axiata yesterday overtook John Keells Holdings (JKH) to become the most valuable listed company in terms of market capitalisation.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Dialog-overtakes-JKH-as-most-valuable-listed-company/44-792438

hSenidBiz delivers major FY2026 turnaround with US$ 5.5mn ARR
hSenid Business Solutions PLC (hSenidBiz) announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended 31 March 2026, delivering a significant turnaround in operational profitability, materially improving earnings quality, and achieving a key strategic milestone.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/hSenidBiz-delivers-major-FY2026-turnaround-with-US-5-5mn-ARR/273-341211

Hemas posts record FY26 earnings
Hemas Holdings PLC reported record earnings for FY26, with full-year profit rising 10.7% year-on-year to Rs 8.92 billion.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/WhP7YL2yozt9wGFRZR92