SenFin Research – News Updates – 29 September 2026

CB carves top-rated foreign sovereigns out of large exposure limits as bank NFA rebuilds
Licensed banks will be able to deploy up to half of their Tier 1 capital in the local-currency debt of any single top-rated foreign sovereign from October 1, carving such holdings out of the prudential large exposure regime, according to directions issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) last week. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/CB-carves-top-rated-foreign-sovereigns-out-of-large-exposure-limits-as-bank-NFA-rebuilds/273-351242

Fuel crisis looms Friday as tanker owners threaten to stop deliveries
Fuel distribution to filling stations across the country could come to a standstill from Friday (25) if authorities fail to revise fuel transportation charges in line with the latest fuel price increase, the Ceylon Petroleum Private Tanker Owners Association (CPPTOA) warned today. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Fuel-crisis-looms-Friday-as-tanker-owners-threaten-to-stop-deliveries/108-351295

Socio-economic data: Migration for employment falls to 7.2% in 2025
Sri Lanka’s yearly migration for employment as a percentage of departures fell to 7.2% in 2025, down from 8.1% in 2024 and a peak of 27.6% in 2022, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s socio-economic data report released recently. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Xc1jHV08iWmjASrGGUbq

Sri Lanka is trying to keep diesel prices steady at next revision: Energy Minister
Sri Lanka is in the process of keeping the diesel prices steady in the next price revision, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said, amid rising global oil prices due to Middle Eastern escalation. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-is-trying-to-keep-diesel-prices-steady-at-next-revision-energy-minister-284791/

Sri Lanka among world’s ten fastest improvers in WEF tourism index
Sri Lanka ranked among the 10 fastest-improving economies globally in the latest benchmark for tourism development conditions. It lifted its score by 4.3 percent to climb four places to 69th among 110 economies, narrowly ahead of India on the pace of improvement, according to World Economic Forum (WEF) data. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Sri-Lanka-among-worlds-ten-fastest-improvers-in-WEF-tourism-index/245-351245

WindForce and Vidullanka eye Rs.1.5bn battery storage investment after successful bids
Solar power ventures owned by WindForce PLC and Vidullanka PLC have emerged as winning bidders to add 37.15 MW and 186.75 MWh of battery storage to their existing solar plants, about a quarter of a National System Operator (NSO) tender for 150 MW and 600 MWh, separate stock filings by the two companies showed. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/WindForce-and-Vidullanka-eye-Rs-1-5bn-battery-storage-investment-after-successful-bids/273-351240

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 330.90/331.05 to US dollar spot, bond yields edge up
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed weaker at 330.90/331.05 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, while bond yields closed higher, dealers said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-330-90-331-05-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-edge-up-284790/

CSE falls to six-month low, turnover lowest this year
The Colombo stock market yesterday closed at a six-month low amid subdues activity, ending below 21,000 points for the first time since 23 March, 2026. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/CSE-falls-to-six-month-low-turnover-lowest-this-year/42-797908

Sri Lanka stocks close down on global headwinds, turnover Rs595mn
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Monday after an early uptick, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.39 percent. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-on-global-headwinds-turnover-rs595mn-284776/

Pan Asia Bank plans Rs. 4 b Tier 2 debenture issue
Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC plans to raise up to Rs. 4 billion through a five-year Basel III-compliant Tier 2 debenture issue. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Pan-Asia-Bank-plans-Rs-4-b-Tier-2-debenture-issue/44-797897

MBSL to raise up to Rs. 1 b through five-year debentures
Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL), a subsidiary of the Bank of Ceylon, plans to raise up to Rs. 1 billion through a debenture issue. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/MBSL-to-raise-up-to-Rs-1-b-through-five-year-debentures/42-797911