SenFin Research – News Updates – 26 October 2026

‘Sri Lanka turning page toward sustainable, long-term transformation’
Moving decisively past the economic meltdown of recent years, Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a vibrant regional hub for trade, industry, technology, and investment. That was the core message delivered by Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, during a high-profile conversation at the NDTV World Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/10/26/business/1046710/sri-lanka-turning-page-toward-sustainable-long-term-transformation/

Sri Lanka central bank seeks panel for troubled bank resolutions
Sri Lanka’s central bank has called for expressions of interest from qualified parties to serve on a panel of administrators that could be appointed during the resolution of troubled licensed banks and finance companies.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-central-bank-seeks-panel-for-troubled-bank-resolutions-287745/

Sri Lanka urged to exclude traders from VAT and abolish double taxation
The Value Added Tax (VAT) is imposed quarterly at the rate of 18% on four principal branches of business activity: manufacture, imports, trading (buying and selling), and services. Similarly, the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) is as well imposed quarterly at the rate of 2.5% on the very same branches of business.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-urged-to-exclude-traders-from-vat-and-abolish-double-taxation-287713/

Tourism: Arrivals surpass 1.8 m in 2026
Sri Lanka recorded over 1.8 million tourists arrivals so far this year, according to latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/kt4yzjocAHIONc6aTOAT

Energy crisis: SL to accelerate renewable energy transition
Sri Lanka may exceed its 70% renewable electricity target by 2030, as soaring fossil fuel import costs intensify pressure to shift towards cleaner energy sources, said Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka, speaking to French news agency AFP.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/M6MWg5xtAwypRHBZSaeN

Medium Term Revenue Strategy: Tax weaknesses to be in focus
Sri Lanka can expect to see greater focus on addressing weaknesses in broadening its tax base and increasing tax compliance within the Medium Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS), which is to include the consultative input of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), IMF Resident Representative to Sri Lanka Martha Tesfaye Woldemicheal said in a recently published (24) exclusive webinar held by CT Smith last month.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/I53ba4OBUB9zU4mHHfvq

PM tells CNN IMF priorities align with Govt.’s own
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has told CNN that several of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) priorities align with the Government’s own objectives, underpinning its decision to continue Sri Lanka’s IMF program despite her party’s earlier opposition.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/PM-tells-CNN-IMF-priorities-align-with-Govt-s-own/44-799173

Sri Lankan exporters to gain lower-cost access to Chinese market
Sri Lankan exporters are set to benefit from reduced export costs and improved access to the Chinese market under a new trade cooperation agreement with China’s Yunnan Province, offering free warehousing, exhibition space and access to online marketplaces.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/10/26/business/1046706/sri-lankan-exporters-to-gain-lower-cost-access-to-chinese-market/

Sampath Bank’s Rs. 10 b debenture issue oversubscribed by 22.7%
Sampath Bank PLC’s debenture issue was oversubscribed and closed at its maximum of Rs. 10 billion, having drawn applications worth Rs. 12.27 billion, with a small number of large-value payments made through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transfers and Letters of Guarantee accounting for nearly the entire amount.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sampath-Bank-s-Rs-10-b-debenture-issue-oversubscribed-by-22-7/44-799169#

False statements: Court orders removal of statements targeting LOLC
The Magistrate’s Court of Colombo has issued a conditional court order directing the removal of online access to specific URLs containing false and misleading statements circulating about LOLC Holdings PLC and its business activities, through a conditional directive issued last week (23), unless cause is shown to the contrary.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/ynLcHh2x06dspRj1lmre