SenFin Research – News Updates – 3 November 2026

October tourist arrivals hit all-time monthly high
Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever monthly tourist arrivals in October, welcoming 168,625 visitors as demand strengthened ahead of the winter season, although the increase in visitor numbers has yet to translate into higher tourism earnings.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/October-tourist-arrivals-hit-all-time-monthly-high/44-799535

Low Grown lifts Oct., tea average to 2026 high
The national tea sale average climbed to its highest monthly level so far this year in October, lifted by Low Grown teas, but the average in US dollars fell from a year earlier as the rupee weakened against the dollar.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Low-Grown-lifts-Oct-tea-average-to-2026-high/44-799537

Sri Lanka’s fuel price hike tests central bank’s inflation target
Sri Lanka’s state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has raised fuel prices effective from November 2, pushing key transport fuel prices higher.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-fuel-price-hike-tests-central-banks-inflation-target-288530/

Fitch takes action on 8 Sri Lanka banks’ national ratings on updated scale
itch Ratings has taken the following actions on the National Long-Term Ratings of eight Sri Lankan banks following recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan national rating scale in the wake of the recent sovereign rating upgrade:
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/fitch-takes-action-on-8-sri-lanka-banks-national-ratings-on-updated-scale-288478/

Global commodity prices set to surge 23% in 2026 amid mounting supply shocks
Global commodity prices are forecast to rise by 23% in 2026, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and climate-related threats to agricultural production, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Commodity Markets Outlook.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/11/03/business/1048280/global-commodity-prices-set-to-surge-23-in-2026-amid-mounting-supply-shocks/

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 332.55/65 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 332.55/65 to the US dollar spot on Monday, weaker from 332.50/62 Friday, while bond yields closed steady to lower on select tenors, dealers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-332-55-65-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-288565/

Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.31-pct, turnover at 921-mn rupees
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Monday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index falling 0.31 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-0-31-pct-turnover-at-921-mn-rupees-288557/

Colombo Dockyard sustains turnaround with second consecutive profitable quarter
Colombo Dockyard PLC yestertday said that it continued its return to profitability during the second quarter of its 2026/27 financial year, recording its second consecutive profitable quarter and further strengthening the turnaround seen since the beginning of the current financial year.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/business/Colombo-Dockyard-sustains-turnaround-with-second-consecutive-profitable-quarter/34-799565

Seylan reports 9M PAT of Rs. 9.1 b
Seylan Bank yesterday said it posted a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 14.04 million 3Q 2026, compared with Rs. 12.8 million in 3Q 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 9.64%.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Seylan-reports-9M-PAT-of-Rs-9-1-b/44-799538

Capital Alliance to buy 51% stake in HK-based Asia Frontier Capital for $ 2.5 m
Capital Alliance Holdings (CALH) announced yesterday its wholly owned subsidiary, CAL Global Pte. Ltd., entered into a Share Purchase Agreement on 2 November 2026 to acquire a 51% stake in Asia Frontier Capital Ltd., (AFC) for approximately $2.5 million.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Capital-Alliance-to-buy-51-stake-in-HK-based-Asia-Frontier-Capital-for-2-5-m/44-799536

NTB to wind up Waldlock Mackenzie
The Nations Trust Bank PLC is to wind up its fully owned subsidiary Waldlock Mackenzie Ltd. It said that the Board of Directors at its meeting on 30 October granted approval to commence the process for the voluntary winding up of Waldlock Mackenzie which has been inactive since 2024.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/NTB-to-wind-up-Waldlock-Mackenzie/42-799524

Sri Lanka Alumex Sept quarter net profit surges 146-pct to Rs118mn
Sri Lanka’s aluminium extrusion manufacturer Alumex PLC recorded a net profit of 117.72 million rupees for the quarter ended September 30, surging 146.0 percent from 47.85 million rupees in the same quarter last year, interim accounts showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-alumex-sept-quarter-net-profit-surges-146-pct-to-rs118mn-288490/

Ceylon Cold Stores Sept quarter net profit falls 10-pct to Rs1.22bn
Sri Lanka consumer foods and retail giant Ceylon Cold Stores recorded a net profit attributable to equity holders of 1.22 billion rupees for the quarter ended September 30, down 10.0 percent from 1.35 billion rupees in the same quarter last year, interim accounts showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/ceylon-cold-stores-sept-quarter-net-profit-falls-10-pct-to-rs1-22bn-288460/

hSenidBiz sustains growth in 2Q FY2027
hSenid Business Solutions PLC (hSenidBiz) recently announced its financial results for the second quarter of FY2027. The quarter reflected continued progress in the quality of the company’s recurring revenue base and the strength of the underlying operating performance, even as sequential revenue was modestly softer due to the timing of large project invoicing
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/nGhifu9RIQWHhfvwweuh