SenFin Research – News Updates – 3 September 2026

Sri Lanka Customs’ August revenue exceeds target by 15.3-pct
Sri Lanka Customs exceeded its August target by 15.3 percent, while the revenue in the first eight months of 2026 jumped around 25 percent compared to the same period last year, official data showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-customs-august-revenue-exceeds-target-by-15-3-pct-282619/

Sri Lanka’s debt down in US$, GDP terms despite up in rupee : Deputy FinMin
Sri Lanka’s debt burden measured in both debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) and dollar terms have fallen though it has risen in local currency, Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-debt-down-in-us-gdp-terms-despite-up-in-rupee-deputy-finmin-282615/

Government sees 5mn tourists as maximum
Sri Lanka should regard five million tourists a year as the maximum the island can accommodate and focus future growth on generating greater value from visitors, Deputy Tourism Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said, signalling a shift away from a volume-driven tourism strategy.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Government-sees-5mn-tourists-as-maximum/273-349231

Tourist arrivals top 190,000 in August
Sri Lanka welcomed 191,704 international tourists in August 2026, with India continuing to dominate the tourism market, according to the latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/8xqjQamIPcbV2cup6QdK

August National Sales Average for tea eases
The National Sales Average (NSA) of tea edged lower in August from the previous month and remained below its year-ago level, although the cumulative average for the first eight months of 2026 continued to exceed the 2025 figure in rupee terms, according to Forbes & Walker Research.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/August-National-Sales-Average-for-tea-eases/44-796716

Vehicle registrations dip in July as inventory buildup obscures true credit demand
Total motor vehicle registrations across Sri Lanka moderated to 53,221 units in July 2026, down from 58,151 units in June.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Vehicle-registrations-dip-in-July-as-inventory-buildup-obscures-true-credit-demand/273-349230


El Niño could add fresh risk to export performance: EDB
Sri Lanka’s export sector could face additional pressure in the coming months from dry weather conditions due to El Niño, particularly across agriculture-linked exports, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe warned.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/El-Ni%C3%B1o-could-add-fresh-risk-to-export-performance-EDB/44-796718


Oil Prices surge as US-Iran strikes threaten global supply
Oil prices rose in early trade on Wednesday, extending the previous session's surge, as concerns over supply disruption intensified after the US and Iran exchanged ‌strikes overnight, dimming hopes for a quick easing of tensions in the Middle East.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/wPV9fsUUCG3SWOkoLzkn


Govt. disputes Rs. 190 b debt surge claim, points to sharp decline in debt stock
Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday rejected claims that Government debt had increased by over Rs. 190 billion, insisting official data instead showed a continued decline in the debt stock.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-disputes-Rs-190-b-debt-surge-claim-points-to-sharp-decline-in-debt-stock/44-796719

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields dip further, Rs80bn sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields dipped across maturities at Wednesday’s auction, with all offered 80 billion rupees of bills sold, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-dip-further-rs80bn-sold-282609/

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 328.30/60 to US dollar spot, bond yields up
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 328.30/60 to the US dollar in the spot market on Wednesday, weaker from 328.00/10 the previous day, while bond yields closed higher, dealers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-328-30-60-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-up-282506/


Sri Lanka stocks close flat on Rs1.28bn turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange indices closed marginally up on Wednesday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index inching up 0.03 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-flat-on-rs1-28bn-turnover-282584/

Kapruka scraps used-goods marketplace plan
E-commerce service Kapruka Holdings PLC said it has decided not to proceed with a proposed used-goods marketplace and will seek shareholder approval to redirect Rs. 50 million in unutilised IPO proceeds towards working capital after concluding the venture is not commercially viable under current market conditions.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Kapruka-scraps-used-goods-marketplace-plan/273-349229

Janashakthi Finance records 51% increase in 1Q NPAT
Janashakthi Finance PLC has opened the financial year 2026/27 with strong growth across key performance indicators, recording a 51 percent year-on-year increase in Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) to Rs. 90.4 million for the period ended 30th June 2026 (compared to Rs. 59.9 million in 1Q FY 2025/26).
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Janashakthi-Finance-records-51-increase-in-1Q-NPAT/273-349223

Siyapatha Finance records exceptional financial performance for 1H 2026, crossing Rs. 104 b in total assets
Siyapatha Finance PLC, the largest fully-owned finance company of the Sampath Bank Group, delivered an exceptional financial performance for the six months ended 30 June 2026, reflecting the Company’s continued strategic growth initiatives, resilient asset quality, and unwavering commitment to sustainable value creation
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Siyapatha-Finance-records-exceptional-financial-performance-for-1H-2026-crossing-Rs-104-b-in-total-assets/44-796720