SenFin Research – News Updates – 30 April 2026

Lanka exports to France top Euro 470 Mn mark in 2025
Bilateral trade between France and Sri Lanka stood at 556 million Euros in 2025,with French exports to Sri Lanka amounting to 85 million Euros, while French imports from Sri Lanka reached 470 million Euros.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/30/business/987180/lanka-exports-to-france-top-euro-470-mn-mark-in-2025/

April arrivals top 117,000, below last year’s pace
Sri Lanka recorded 117,893 tourist arrivals in April, according to data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), marking a slower performance compared to the same month last year.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/wO1tKUdIyTq5X7NQtBpu

Tourism Task Force: Cable car projects, visa-free entry in focus
The Government is considering the introduction of cable car facilities at key tourist destinations, including Sri Pada, as part of efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure, officials said following a Tourism Task Force meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on 28 April.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/uIeFhNRBklV4didfTo02

Tea Industry Overview of 2026 First Quarter
During the first quarter of 2026, Sri Lanka’s tea industry recorded declines across Production, Export volumes, and National Tea Sale Average Price compared to the same period in 2025. Total tea production dropped by 2.55 million kilograms, falling from 62.16 million kilograms in 2025 to 59.61 million kilograms in 2026. Total exports also declined by 2.85 million kilograms, decreasing from 63.21 million kilograms to 60.36 million kilograms. Meanwhile, the national sale average at the Colombo Tea Auction dropped by Rs. 26.07 per kilogram, from Rs. 1,179.32 in 2025 to Rs. 1,153.25 in 2026.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Tea-Industry-Overview-of-2026-First-Quarter/273-339088

Sri Lanka Customs exceeds revenue target for fourth straight month in April
Sri Lanka Customs exceeded its monthly target for a fourth consecutive month, achieving the April target before the end of the month, official data showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-customs-exceeds-revenue-target-for-fourth-straight-month-in-april/-/269198/

Travel ban on five officials over Treasury fraud
A Colombo Fort Magistrate has imposed overseas travel bans on five officials of the Public Debt Management Office as investigations intensified into a $ 2.5 million Treasury payment diverted to a fraudulent account.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/qo0f7I48GrTfD05vSf9I

Sri Lanka rupee closes weaker, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 319.75/320.60 to the US dollar in the spot next market, from 319.00/320.00 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-weaker-bond-yields-steady/-/269261/

Sri Lanka stocks close up, JXG leads turnover on debut
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Wednesday, with diversified financials leading market turnover.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-jxg-leads-turnover-on-debut/-/269187/

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields drop on shorter maturity, less bills sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields dropped on the 3-month bill at Wednesday’s auction, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed, with 126.9 billion rupees sold of an offered 140 billion rupees bills.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-drop-on-shorter-maturity-less-bills-sold/-/269177/

JXG rings opening bell at CSE celebrating successful IPO and market debut
Senior leadership of JXG (Janashakthi Group), ceremonially rang the opening bell of the Colombo Stock Exchange yesterday, marking the successful conclusion of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and subsequent listing. Shares of JXG commenced trading on the Main Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange, signifying a significant milestone in the Group’s corporate journey.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/30/business/987154/jxg-rings-opening-bell-at-cse-celebrating-successful-ipo-and-market-debut/

Seylan Bank reports PAT of LKR 2.91 Bn in Q1 – 2026
The Bank recorded a Profit Before Income Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,548Mn in Q1 2026, against LKR 4,199 Mn reflecting a growth of 8.31%. For the three months ended 31st March 2026, Profit after Tax recorded by Seylan Bank was LKR 2,906 Mn with a growth of 5.25% against LKR 2,761 Mn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/30/business/987163/seylan-bank-reports-pat-of-lkr-2-91-bn-in-q1-2026/

Hela Apparel unit exits UK-based Focus Brands for $ 8 m
Hela Apparel Holdings PLC yesterday confirmed the divestment of its stake in UK-based Focus Brands Ltd., to Emerald Investments Ltd., for a total consideration of $ 8 million.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Hela-Apparel-unit-exits-UK-based-Focus-Brands-for-8-m/44-791265

IFC and WindForce partner on Sri Lanka’s first large-scale solar project
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced a partnership with 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 Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/IFC-and-WindForce-partner-on-Sri-Lankas-first-large-scale-solar-project/273-339086

Union Bank records strong start to 2026 with Rs.465mn PBT
Building on its 2025 performance, during which the bank doubled its bottom-line Union Bank has commenced 2026 with a strong momentum, reinforcing its trajectory as one of the fastest-growing commercial banks in the country.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Union-Bank-records-strong-start-to-2026-with-Rs-465mn-PBT/273-339092

Singer to acquire ACME printing factory
Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC has entered into an agreement to acquire the factory premises of ACME Printing and Packaging PLC for Rs. 630 million, in a move aimed at expanding its local manufacturing operations.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/xKAou32SJ2jagr7z2fAu