SenFin Research – News Updates – 28 September 2026

Opposition claims grid batteries unlikely to solve rooftop solar woes
New grid batteries will help Sri Lanka absorb surplus solar power nationally, but will not open up rooftop connections where neighbourhood transformers are already full, two Parliamentary Committees heard on 22 and 23 September. Households that can still connect now face either a far less favourable tariff or a battery bill of over Rs. 1 million.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Opposition-claims-grid-batteries-unlikely-to-solve-rooftop-solar-woes/26-797866

Sri Lanka among world’s 10 fastest-improving tourism economies: WEF
Sri Lanka has been ranked among the world’s 10 fastest-improving economies for travel and tourism development, according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026, released last week in collaboration with Zurich Insurance Group.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-among-world-s-10-fastest-improving-tourism-economies-WEF/44-797858

India drives Sept. tourism arrivals
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is showing signs of stabilising in September, even as it continues to trail last year’s record pace, with India cementing its position as the country’s dominant source market.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/India-drives-Sept-tourism-arrivals/44-797861

Cabinet to decide on Rs. 41 b worth fuel subsidy today
A proposal for a fuel subsidy of Rs. 41 billion covering the next three months will be presented to Cabinet today (28), with a decision expected, as world oil prices climb again following a renewed escalation of the US/Israel-Iran war.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Cabinet-to-decide-on-Rs-41-b-worth-fuel-subsidy-today/44-797863

Collateral-free lending: CBSL can enable SME credit expansion
Sri Lanka's Central Bank has a role to play in expanding collateral-free lending for SMEs and priority sectors, following the benchmark set by the Reserve Bank of India with its priority sector lending target of 40%, Standard Chartered CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri said, speaking on a panel hosted by DFCC Bank on Wednesday (23), for the 49th Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific Annual Meeting.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/SlL9OtfOjWkDM7EFBDaA

‘End of IMF programme could trigger setback’: Collective
Abandoning Sri Lanka’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme after 2027 could push the country back into an economic crisis, the ‘Dinana Dakuna’ collective has warned.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/f3u2lxuVGRoMjJgygdRS

Industry: UAE expresses interest in SL TVET sec.
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya met with a high-level delegation from the UAE at Parliament to discuss the possibility of collaboration to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector of Sri Lanka with a view to gradually increase the number of skilled workers demanded by various traditional and emerging industries.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/LMdAWVHHlIIlFu9WYBaF

Sri Lanka’s digital push shifts cybersecurity focus
As Sri Lanka accelerates its digital transformation, attention is shifting beyond the protection of government systems to the cybersecurity of businesses and other parts of the economy increasingly dependent on interconnected digital infrastructure, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said at the World CIO 200 Summit 2026 on Thursday (24).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/CzAaHYMbKQn2aMqJ9rlh

Banking: APIT concerns raised with government
Concerns and proposals regarding Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) were raised during a special discussion between Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando and members of the National Executive Committee of the Banks and Finance Forum.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/77Xo7792RP2b4DNy7kYz

Inflation reaches 8.1% lending rates edge higher
Sri Lanka’s headline inflation accelerated to 8.1 per cent in August 2026, from 7.2 per cent in July, while lending rates also moved higher during the week ended September 25, according to the latest Weekly Economic Indicators released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/09/28/business/1041444/inflation-reaches-8-1-lending-rates-edge-higher/

Plantation Sector urged to modernize as agricultural exports cross $3 Bn
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the 172nd Annual General Meeting of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, called on the plantation industry to urgently adopt modern agricultural practices, drive productivity and address longstanding structural bottlenecks to compete in an evolving global landscape.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/09/28/business/1041451/plantation-sector-urged-to-modernize-as-agricultural-exports-cross-3-bn/

Oil heads higher as US-Iran peace talks in stalemate
Oil prices rebounded more than 1% on ‌Monday after US President Donald Trump rejected a peace deal from Iran to resolve their conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, keeping tensions in the Middle East elevated.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-rebounds-after-trump-rejects-iran-peace-deal-2026-09-27/