SenFin Research – News Updates – 29 March 2026

Sri Lanka well-positioned against external shocks
Sri Lanka is in a relatively strong position to manage external economic shocks, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, told the media at the post-monetary policy press briefing on Wednesday (25).
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74983/sri-lanka-well-positioned-against-external-shocks/

Sri Lanka Customs exceeds revenue target for third straight month in March
Sri Lanka Customs exceeded its monthly target for a third consecutive month, achieving the March target before the end of the month, official data showed
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-customs-exceeds-revenue-target-for-third-straight-month-in-march-265456/

Central Bank signals stability as IMF Mission Review begins
Sri Lanka’s external sector is showing a mixed but resilient performance in the face of escalating tensions in West Asia, the Central Bank (CB) announced just as an International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) staff team now in the island began its combined fifth and sixth reviews of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260329/business-times/central-bank-signals-stability-as-imf-mission-review-begins-635418.html

ADB provides $100 m support to help Sri Lanka
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo this week and announced that ADB stands ready to provide US$100 million in additional budget support as part of a financial package to help countries mitigate the economic and financial impacts resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260329/business-times/adb-provides-100-m-support-to-help-sri-lanka-635379.html

War spikes Ceylon Tea production costs
Ceylon Tea is facing tough times as prices for the product is dropping amidst a 10-15 per cent cost escalation.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260329/business-times/war-spikes-ceylon-tea-production-costs-635468.html

The oil world in dire straits
After watching four weeks of war mainly conducted through remote cruise missile and drone exchanges – that nearly paused for a blessed 5-day break on Tuesday but missed the US boat when Iran declined the offer to jump aboard – the dawned fifth week opens a new chapter in Operation Epic Fury: The next stage of the Gulf expedition – US boots on the ground
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260329/sunday-times-2/the-oil-world-in-dire-straits-636923.html

Air travel to Sri Lanka shows slight recovery
Disruptions of flights to Sri Lanka from Middle Eastern and European airlines caused by the Middle Eastern conflict have shown slight improvements, according to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/xuzwCOzTCMcORzdPRcnW

Brent broke through the $112 per barrel
Brent crude oil prices have surpassed $112 per barrel due to a production halt in Iraq, drone strikes in Kuwait, and reduced maritime traffic, exacerbating the global energy crisis.
Source: (Eurasia Business News) https://eurasiabusinessnews.com/2026/03/28/brent-broke-through-the-112-per-barrel/

The Gulf Is Becoming Uninsurable
BERLIN – It can take generations to build a reputation for reliability – and a matter of weeks to destroy it. That asymmetry is the most important strategic fact of the current US-Israeli war against Iran. This conflict’s most harmful consequence will figure in no damage assessment, and no postwar reconstruction fund will be able to repair it.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260329/business-times/the-gulf-is-becoming-uninsurable-635433.html

Middle East conflict: The impact on migration and remittances in Sri Lanka
With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East (ME), Sri Lanka finds itself at a particularly vulnerable juncture as it carefully navigates a fragile economic recovery.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74913/middle-east-conflict-the-impact-on-migration-and-remittances-in-sri-lanka/

Understanding oil price pass-through in post-2022 Sri Lanka
Oil price fluctuations have historically impacted the cost of goods and services across the world.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74924/understanding-oil-price-pass-through-in-post-2022-sri-lanka/

Iran war drops food security bombshell on Sri Lanka
As shipments get cancelled and prices surge there is serious concern whether fertiliser stocks already ordered will ever make it in time for the Yala season. Already the Maha season has faced a 10 per cent drop in yields and the country is running without a food security plan
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260329/business-times/iran-war-drops-food-security-bombshell-on-sri-lanka-635471.html

Global Energy Lockdown in the near future.’’ Sri Lanka must treat this as a national emergency
What began as geopolitical brinkmanship has now triggered a phenomenon analysts are calling the “Global Energy Lockdown.” With major oil-producing regions engulfed in conflict, supply chains severed, and the price of a barrel of crude spiralling to historic highs, the global economy is facing its most severe energy shock in half a century. For developed nations, this means inflation and uncomfortable trade-offs. For a nation like Sri Lanka, still scarred by the economic collapse of 2022, it signals a clear and present danger.
Source:(Daily mirror ) https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Global-Energy-Lockdown-in-the-near-future-Sri-Lanka-must-treat-this-as-a-national-emergency/108-336532

Sri Lanka among nations most vulnerable to Strait of Hormuz closure: Study
A new report by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy has sounded a sharp alarm for Sri Lanka, ranking it as one of the most vulnerable nations globally to a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.
Source:(Daily mirror ) https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Sri-Lanka-among-nations-most-vulnerable-to-Strait-of-Hormuz-closure-Study/108-336589

When global disruption becomes a scale signal
Every major global disruption reshuffles logistics maps. The Middle East crisis, driven by Iran-related tensions which resulted in Gulf airspace and shipping rerouting, is doing exactly that this month.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74946/when-global-disruption-becomes-a-scale-signal/

SL yet to establish itself as a true maritime hub: Shippers’ Academy Colombo CEO Rohan Masakorala
Sri Lanka’s international logistics sector currently contributes less than 2% to the national GDP, a figure significantly lower than the 7–10% average seen in competing regional hubs.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/9slrJDORRQbyRaT92ZOE

Sri Lanka ranked 2nd most unaffordable housing market in Asia — The Economist
Sri Lanka has been ranked the second most unaffordable housing market in Asia, according to a new report by The Economist.
Source : (news wire)https://www.newswire.lk/2026/03/28/sri-lanka-ranked-2nd-most-unaffordable-housing-market-in-asia-the-economist/

The dollar myth we keep getting wrong
There is a persistent belief among Sri Lankans that because we import more than we export, we borrow dollars at high interest rates to bridge the gap.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/NnKxfdYmmPYhlQZkSrvp

SEC, CSE strengthen role of Auditors of Watchlist Cos.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) jointly organised an awareness session recently, for auditors of companies which are currently on the CSE Watchlist.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260329/business-times/sec-cse-strengthen-role-of-auditors-of-watchlist-cos-635385.html

CPC announces no fuel price revision on March 31
The Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), D.J. Rajakaruna, has announced that there will be no revision in fuel prices on March 31, 2026.
Source :(news wire)https://www.newswire.lk/2026/03/28/cpc-announces-no-fuel-price-revision-on-march-31/

Sri Lanka rupee depreciates 1.4% against US dollar year-to-date
Sri Lanka’s rupee has depreciated by 1.4 percent against the US dollar year-to-date as of March 27, 2026, according to the latest data on exchange rates.
Source: (news wire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/03/28/sri-lanka-rupee-depreciates-1-4-against-us-dollar-year-to-date/

Siyapatha Finance debenture issue oversubscribed
Siyapatha Finance PLC, a subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC conducted its recent debenture issue successfully, receiving an overwhelming response from investors, surpassing all expectations.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74816/siyapatha-finance-debenture-issue-oversubscribed/

Janashakthi eyes General Insurance return, NBFI buy
JXG, the parent company of the Janashakthi Group, plans to re-enter the general insurance business by acquiring the general insurance arm of an existing company.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74967/janashakthi-eyes-general-insurance-return-nbfi-buy/

JXG’s next chapter charts expansion and enhancing investor value
Sri Lanka’s Janashakthi Group (JXG) announced its IPO last week.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74939/jxgs-next-chapter-charts-expansion-and-enhancing-investor-value/

SLIC mulls 5% Public Listing on CSE
The Government is exploring the possibility of listing State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), government sources told Sunday Observer Business last week.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74969/slic-mulls-5-public-listing-on-cse/

Vallibel Finance to raise Rs 2.12 b via rights issue
Vallibel Finance PLC will raise around Rs 2.12 billion through a rights issue of new ordinary voting shares, aimed at strengthening its Tier I capital and supporting the company’s next phase of growth and expansion, Managing Director S. B. Rangamuwa told the media last week.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/03/29/business/74976/vallibel-finance-to-raise-rs-2-12-b-via-rights-issue/