SenFin Research – News Updates – 27 October 2026

Over half of NBFI household borrowers in high-risk bands as Stage 2 loans nearly double
More than half of the households borrowing from finance companies fall in the high or very high risk categories based on their Credit Information Bureau (CRIB) scores, over twice the share among bank borrowers, as early signs of stress build up in the sector’s vehicle and gold-backed loan books, as per CBSL data. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/Over-half-of-NBFI-household-borrowers-in-high-risk-bands-as-Stage-2-loans-nearly-double/215-353383

Global uncertainty: SL adopts three-month rolling forecasts
The Government is adopting a three-month-ahead forecasting approach to respond to ongoing global uncertainty and energy price shocks, with the aim of maintaining its growth trajectory and export orientation, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said in a video interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/mxhPD98UnE7WrGBDWK0N

External sector: Export earnings surpass $ 13.6 b in 9M 2026
Sri Lanka’s total exports have reached $ 13.61 billion during the first nine months of 2026, recording a year-on-year growth of 5.04% compared with $ 12.96 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, according to the latest export performance figures released by Sri Lanka Customs, together with the EDB’s estimates. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/pQul1LjYqKFJK6DnctiK

Sri Lanka goods exports rise 21.66-pct in Sept 2026, driven by electronics, spices
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports rose 21.66 percent to 1.38 billion dollars in September 2026 from a year ago, driven by electronic components, spices, data from the export promotion office showed. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-goods-exports-rise-21-66-pct-in-sept-2026-driven-by-electronics-spices-287794/

Sri Lanka services exports rise 0.67-pct in Sep 2026, driven by financial services
Sri Lanka’s services exports in September 2026 rose 0.67 percent to 306.17 million dollars, compared to the same period last year, the island’s Export Development Board said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-services-exports-rise-0-67-pct-in-sep-2026-driven-by-financial-services-287853/

Confidence crisis as HDPL pulls plug on SL ops
After foreign banks are increasingly pulling back from non-essential retail and service markets, HSBC Electronic Data Processing Lanka Ltd. (HDPL) is shutting down its global service centre operations in Sri Lanka, putting around 3,500 jobs at stake, with industry analysts pointing out that this is a serious dent in the confidence of international players in the sector. Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/261025/business-times/confidence-crisis-as-hdpl-pulls-plug-on-sl-ops-661525.html

Corrugated carton industry under growing cost pressure
Sri Lanka’s corrugated carton industry is facing mounting financial pressure as the cost of paper and other essential inputs continues to rise. For many manufacturers, the challenge is no longer simply maintaining profitability; it is ensuring the industry’s sustainability. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/business/Corrugated-carton-industry-under-growing-cost-pressure/34-799203

Lanka IOC, Sinopec hike Octane 95 petrol price by Rs20
Private fuel operators in Sri Lanka, Lanka IOC and Sinopec, have raised the retail price of a liter of Octane 95 petrol by 20 rupees, moving from 475 rupees to 495 rupees. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/lanka-ioc-sinopec-hike-octane-95-petrol-price-by-rs20-287796/

Sri Lanka braces for heavy rains, rough seas as Cyclone Arnab strengthens
Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology has warned of heavy rains and rough seas across the region as cyclonic storm “Arnab” intensifies over the Bay of Bengal ahead of its landfall in India. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-braces-for-heavy-rains-rough-seas-as-cyclone-arnab-strengthens-287797/

Oil slips from near six-months highs
Oil prices fell on Monday after surging to near six-month highs late last week, although ongoing attacks on Saudi Arabia kept supply concerns in focus. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/ujFdlV23zqXOCleRBBOg

Sri Lanka rejects all bids at domestic dollar bond auction
Sri Lanka’s Public Debt Management Office has rejected every bid it received at the Domestic Dollar Bond auction on October 23. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rejects-all-bids-at-domestic-dollar-bond-auction-287862/

Sri Lanka rupee at 332.30/40 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 332.30/40 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, weaker from 332.10/20 Friday, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-at-332-30-40-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-287752/

Sri Lanka stocks close down, turnover low at Rs666mn
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Monday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index falling 0.23 percent. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-turnover-low-at-rs666mn-287839/

Resus Energy lists Green Bond on the LuxSE
Resus Energy PLC announced the dual listing of its Rs 1 billion Green Bond on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) and its display on the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX), effective last week (19), becoming the first non-financial corporate issuer from Sri Lanka to be featured on LGX, the sustainable finance platform operated by LuxSE. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/icVcToWo12bcuzS3kCwn

Sri Lanka’s LAUGFS Gas explores sale, investment options for Hambantota terminal
Sri Lanka liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplier LAUGFS Gas PLC has said it is discussing options with interested parties involving its wholly owned subsidiary, LAUGFS Terminals Limited, which owns and operates a 30,000-tonne LPG terminal at the Hambantota International Port. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-laugfs-gas-explores-sale-investment-options-for-hambantota-terminal-287882/

Sri Lanka’s Bank of Ceylon to raise upto Rs30bn in debenture sale
Sri Lanka’s state-owned commercial bank, Bank of Ceylon plans to raise 30 billion rupees through the issuance of Basel III-compliant debentures, making it the largest listed debenture issue undertaken in the country’s capital market. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-bank-of-ceylon-to-raise-upto-rs30bn-in-debenture-sale-287895/

Fitch assigns Asia Asset Finance’s Rs3bn debenture issue ‘A-(EXP)(lka)’
Singapore/Colombo – 26 Oct 2026: Fitch Ratings has assigned Asia Asset Finance PLC’s (AAF, A+(lka)/Stable) proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated subordinated listed debentures of up to LKR3 billion an expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘A-(EXP)(lka)’. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/fitch-assigns-asia-asset-finances-rs3bn-debenture-issue-a-explka-287828/

Sri Lanka’s Asia Asset Finance Rs2bn debenture issue rated ‘A+(EXP)(lka)’ by Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings has assigned Asia Asset Finance PLC’s (AAF, A+(lka)/Stable) proposed Sri Lankan rupee-denominated senior unsecured debentures of up to LKR2 billion an expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘A+(EXP)(lka)’. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-asia-asset-finance-rs2bn-debenture-issue-rated-aexplka-by-fitch-ratings-287790/

Sri Lanka’s Nations Trust Bank to raise Rs13.8bn in rights issue
Sri Lanka’s Nations Trust Bank PLC (NTB) plans to raise 13.87 billion rupees through a rights issue to strengthen its Tier 1 capital base and support balance sheet expansion. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-nations-trust-bank-to-raise-rs13-8bn-in-rights-issue-287762/

Softlogic extends warrant conversion window to November
Softlogic Holdings PLC has extended the payment deadline for converting its warrants into shares to 19 November, giving remaining warrant holders additional time to take part in the conglomerate’s equity raising as it continues to strengthen its capital base and pare down debt, a stock filing showed. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business/Softlogic-extends-warrant-conversion-window-to-November/215-353381