SenFin Research – News Updates – 28 May 2026

Inflation to be maintained at 5%
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe stated that the main target of the Central Bank is to maintain inflation at 5 percent in the coming period.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/28/business/1001681/inflation-to-be-maintained-at-5/

IMF unlocks $ 700 m, says fiscal response to shocks appropriate
In an expected yet major confidence boost, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday approved the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews under Sri Lanka’s four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, unlocking around $ 700 million in financing and marking another key milestone in the country’s post-crisis recovery program.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/IMF-unlocks-700-m-says-fiscal-response-to-shocks-appropriate/26-792623

Panicked Sri Lanka importers had bought forward dollars at up to Rs380-400: CB Governor
Panicked importers had bought dollars at prices as high as 380 to 400 especially in the forward market in the recent period of uncertainty in the forex markets, Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/panicked-sri-lanka-importers-had-bought-forward-dollars-at-up-to-rs380-400-cb-governor-273229/

Free Lawyers alleges CBSL printed over Rs. 610 b in 1Q
The Free Lawyers Organisation yesterday alleged that liquidity expansion by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) during 2025 and early 2026 contributed to current foreign exchange pressures and rupee volatility.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Free-Lawyers-alleges-CBSL-printed-over-Rs-610-b-in-1Q/44-792619

BOI launches ‘Ready to Invest’ with $ 3 b FDI proposals across eight sectors
The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) has launched a new digital investment platform titled ‘Ready to Invest,’ featuring more than $ 3 billion worth of investor-ready projects across eight priority sectors as the country intensifies efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen long-term capital inflows.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/BOI-launches-Ready-to-Invest-with-3-b-FDI-proposals-across-eight-sectors/44-792621

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals cross one million mark before end of May
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has recorded another major milestone, with tourist arrivals surpassing the one million mark before the end of May 2026, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/28/business/1001684/sri-lanka-tourist-arrivals-cross-one-million-mark-before-end-of-may/

Cabinet clears new rules to regulate foreign remittance service providers
The Cabinet of Ministers earlier this week approved revising regulations to be tabled in Parliament for approval, aimed at strengthening oversight of money and value transfer services and closing regulatory gaps in line with Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) standards.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Cabinet-clears-new-rules-to-regulate-foreign-remittance-service-providers/44-792616

Colombo Port on cusp of processing 10 m TEUs
With the unexpected rise in transhipment container volumes handled by Colombo Port this year due to the Middle East conflict, Sri Lanka is on the cusp of processing a volume of at least 10 million (m) Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in 2026, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer Bingumal Thewarathanthri said at a Verite Research panel discussion held earlier this month.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/NjL2tKyzgqNQbtlHMgkV

Sri Lanka’s banking system is safe, SLBA says amidst fraud incidents
The country’s banking sector is stable and secure despite recent financial fraud incidents, the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) has said, adding that these do not pose a threat to the safety of customer deposits or the overall integrity of the financial system.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-banking-system-is-safe-slba-says-amidst-fraud-incidents-273260/

NCE pushes for timeline as Sri Lanka’s Madrid Protocol Accession moves through legislative phase
The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) is monitoring progress on the country’s accession to the Madrid Protocol, a move that would give Sri Lankan businesses access to a streamlined international trademark registration system used by over 100 economies worldwide. As of 2025, Madrid members represent 68% of all countries globally.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/28/business/1001652/nce-pushes-for-timeline-as-sri-lankas-madrid-protocol-accession-moves-through-legislative-phase/

Bangladesh seeks new IMF-supported programme
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Bangladesh has requested a new IMF-supported programme as the country seeks to strengthen macroeconomic and financial stability amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/qgOud8JSu1m4U5UBcNaC

USD selling rate surpasses Rs 330
The selling rate of the US dollar has exceeded the Rs 330 mark against the Sri Lankan rupee, according to the latest daily exchange rates issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/qaDgJcMKvfIUonX6wt2K

Sri Lanka rupee spot closes at 328.50/332.00 to US dollar, bond yields up
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 328.50/332.00 to the US dollar in the spot market on Wednesday, weaker from 324.00/325.50 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields closed up.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-spot-closes-at-328-50-332-00-to-us-dollar-bond-yields-up-273320/

Sri Lanka sells Rs240bn in 2030, 2033 and 2035 bonds
Sri Lanka has sold all offered 240 billion rupees in 2030, 2033 and 2035 bonds, data from the public debt management office showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-rs240bn-in-2030-2033-and-2035-bonds-273311/

Sri Lanka stocks close up; food, beverage and tobacco lead turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange indices closed up on Wednesday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving up 0.54 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-food-beverage-and-tobacco-lead-turnover-273307/

hSenidBiz delivers major FY2026 turnaround with USD 5.5M 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 News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/28/business/1001655/hsenidbiz-delivers-major-fy2026-turnaround-with-usd-5-5m-arr/

PickMe distributes Rs. 73 Bn to independent earners and merchants
Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC (DMSL), owner of the PickMe brand, delivered its strongest annual financial performance to date, posting revenue of Rs. 8.7 billion for the financial year ended 31 March 2026 (FY25/26), a 49% increase from Rs. 5.8 billion in the previous year.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/28/business/1001658/pickme-distributes-rs-73-bn-to-independent-earners-and-merchants/