SenFin Research – News Updates – 29 April 2026

Cabinet keeps $ 2.5 m Treasury breach off agenda
The Government said yesterday that neither President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake nor the Cabinet had discussed the reported $ 2.5 million Treasury cyber breach and internal investigation, leaving the matter to the Finance Ministry and external investigative agencies.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Cabinet-keeps-2-5-m-Treasury-breach-off-agenda/26-791209

Govt. under increasing fire, refuses P’ment debate into $ 2.5 m Treasury heist
The Government has rejected an Opposition request at the party leaders’ meeting to hold a parliamentary debate on the $ 2.5 million Treasury cyber breach, as scrutiny intensifies over the circumstances of the loss and the handling of its aftermath.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Govt-under-increasing-fire-refuses-P-ment-debate-into-2-5-m-Treasury-heist/26-791195

$ 625,000 payment to US Post goes missing
Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said investigations were underway into a $ 625,000 payment remitted from Sri Lanka to the United States Postal Service, after US authorities informed local officials that the funds had not been received.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/625-000-payment-to-US-Post-goes-missing/44-791217

ADB Fact-Finding Mission to review progress of NEDP 2026–2030
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is making significant progress in the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2026–2030.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/29/business/986484/adb-fact-finding-mission-to-review-progress-of-nedp-2026-2030/

Oil price climbs above $ 110 a barrel
The global oil price climbed above $ 110 a barrel for the first time in three weeks yesterday (28), as traders worry that the United States and Iran are no closer to a deal to end the war and fully reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/YwoAx7j0CcNESPGwsSRu

UAE leaves OPEC and OPEC+
The United ‌Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it quit OPEC and OPEC+, dealing a heavy blow to the oil exporting groups at a time when the Iran war has caused a historic energy shock and unsettled the global economy.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/UAE-leaves-OPEC-and-OPEC/44-791210

UAE leaves OPEC in blow to global oil producers' group
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it was quitting OPEC, dealing a blow to the oil producers' group as an unprecedented energy crisis caused by the Iran war exposes discord among Gulf nations.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/uae-says-it-quits-opec-opec-statement-2026-04-28/

Gold falls as Middle East tensions keep oil soaring, Fed meeting in focus
Gold fell to a near four-week low on Tuesday, on peristent ‌inflation concerns after U.S. President Donald Trump appeared dissatisfied with Iran's latest proposal to end the war, while investors awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting this week.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/world/india/gold-steady-with-us-iran-talks-central-bank-decisions-focus-2026-04-28/

Coconut-based product income up by 20.76% to US$ 314.09 in 1Q-26
Earnings from Coconut-based products, Processed Food and Beverages, and Electrical & Electronic Components increased by 20.85%, 26.05%, and 44.18%, respectively, during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/29/business/986517/coconut-based-product-income-up-by-20-76-to-us-314-09-in-1q-26/

Sri Lanka and the Maldives to sign multiple MoUs during President Muizzu’s state visit
The government has announced that several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed during the upcoming state visit of the President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, to Sri Lanka.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/28/sri-lanka-and-the-maldives-to-sign-multiple-mous-during-president-muizzus-state-visit/

Middle East crisis, a wakeup call for structural reforms: Aryasinha
The ongoing Middle East crisis should serve as a critical wakeup call for Sri Lanka to implement long-overdue fundamental structural economic reforms, according to Regional Centre for Strategic Studies Executive Director Ravinatha Aryasinha.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Middle-East-crisis-a-wakeup-call-for-structural-reforms-Aryasinha/245-338994

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 319.00/320.00 to US dollar, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 319.00/320.00 to the US dollar in the spot next market, from 318.00/25 the previous day, dealers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-319-00-320-00-to-us-dollar-bond-yields-steady/-/269038/

Sri Lanka stocks close flat, JXG to start trading
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat on Tuesday, with the All Share Price Index moving a marginal 0.03 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-flat-jxg-to-start-trading/-/269032/

Sri Lanka’s Construction Guarantee Fund ‘BB(lka)’ National IFS Rating affirmed by Fitch
Sri Lanka-based Construction Guarantee Fund’s National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Rating has been affirmed at ‘BB(lka)’ by Fitch Ratings, with a stable outlook.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-construction-guarantee-fund-bblka-national-ifs-rating-affirmed-by-fitch/-/268895/

IFC provides USD 18 Mn for 100 MW solar power facility
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has provided USD 18 million to WindForce PLC to develop Sri Lanka’s first utility scale 100 megawatt (MW) solar power facility, a landmark project that will accelerate the country’s energy transition, strengthen energy security, lower electricity costs and create thousands of jobs.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/29/business/986542/ifc-provides-usd-18-mn-for-100-mw-solar-power-facility/

LB Finance secures $ 15 m from Swiss-based Enabling Qapital
LB Finance PLC has secured a $15 million senior debt facility from Enabling Qapital Ltd. (EQ), a Switzerland-based impact asset manager, marking another significant step in the Company’s strategic funding journey and reinforcing its commitment to advancing inclusive finance in Sri Lanka.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/LB-Finance-secures-15-m-from-Swiss-based-Enabling-Qapital/44-791216

Emerald Clothing acquires select Hela factories
Emerald Clothing Ltd., has stepped in to secure the continuity of key operations previously run by Hela Clothing Ltd., in a move aimed at stabilising exports and safeguarding employment.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Emerald-Clothing-acquires-select-Hela-factories/44-791214

NDB’s Shanil Fernando steps down from board
National Development Bank PLC (NDB) yesterday announced the resignation of Independent Non-Executive Director Shanil Fernando, in the first board-level exit following the bank’s Rs.13.2 billion fraud scandal.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/NDBs-Shanil-Fernando-steps-down-from-board/273-338989

Sampath Bank’s Rs10bn green bond assigned ‘A(lka)’ rating by Fitch
Sri Lanka lender Sampath Bank’s proposed 10 billion rupee green bond issue has been assigned an expected National Long-Term Rating of ‘A(EXP)(lka)’ by Fitch Ratings.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sampath-banks-rs10bn-green-bond-assigned-alka-rating-by-fitch/-/268946/