SenFin Research – News Updates – 30 March 2026

March tourist arrivals surpass 150,000 as Middle East crisis threatens 200,000 target
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has crossed the 150,000 mark for March, but the industry is grappling with a sudden contraction that threatens the newly revised monthly target of 200,000 arrivals.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/March-tourist-arrivals-surpass-150-000-as-Middle-East-crisis-threatens-200-000-target/245-336656

Market volatility: Macro stability to lead to risk assets re-rating
“Though the Sri Lankan bourse is experiencing volatility due to the far-reaching impacts of the Middle East conflict, Sri Lanka’s sustained broader macroeconomic stability could lead to a reduction in downside risks of riskier assets looking ahead,” LYNEAR Wealth Management Head of Equities Asanka Herath said on Wednesday (25) speaking at a panel discussion.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/8FMvZr5tNiYW2Kb6Ce8R

Rupee may fall further without import price fix
Economists warn that Sri Lanka could face further rupee depreciation unless the prices of key imports are adjusted to reflect actual international market prices.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/qeDB52Ru5wyUkEx6Fwuu

Rupee holds amid Mideast shock as CBSL continues FX buying
Sri Lanka’s rupee has remained relatively stable in early 2026, with depreciation contained despite pressure from the Middle East conflict, while the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) continued to build reserves through net foreign exchange purchases.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Rupee-holds-amid-Mideast-shock-as-CBSL-continues-FX-buying/44-790260

Customs beats target for third straight month
Sri Lanka Customs has exceeded its revenue target for the third consecutive month, reaching the March target ahead of schedule, according to official data.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Customs-beats-target-for-third-straight-month/44-790253

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

Equity inflows lift unit trust assets to Rs. 609bn in February
Sri Lanka’s unit trust industry held steady in February, with assets under management (AUM) inching up to Rs. 609 billion.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Equity-inflows-lift-unit-trust-assets-to-Rs-609bn-in-February/273-336654

Imports: Min. threatens anti-dumping legal measures
Anti-dumping legal measures aimed at curbing the sale of imported goods at prices lower than local products will soon be formulated Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti said recently to media, during a special inspection tour of the Nalanda and Kaludewala industrial zones in the Matale District.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/scPHgUAU9IL2FvpavwhQ

Strait of Hormuz: SL faces food security threat over prolonged chokepoint closure
Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the world’s most vulnerable nations to a sudden shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a March 2026 report by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The study titled: “The Cost of Closing the Strait of Hormuz: Energy Bottlenecks and Global Food Security,” identifies Sri Lanka as the country facing the second-steepest rise in food prices globally under a short-run closure scenario.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/uSqFYZUCkwLwJVHvJTMO

Sri Lanka’s state fuel retailer says price cut is possible if crude shipment secured
Sri Lanka will be able to reduce the fuel prices from the current higher level if the island nation secures a crude shipment, the head of state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-state-fuel-retailer-says-price-cut-is-possible-if-crude-shipment-secured-265479/

Govt. notified over delays in import clearance, rising costs
The Customs House Agents (CHA) Traders Association and Wharf Representatives Union have expressed serious concern over delays in clearance of imports as well as rising costs.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-notified-over-delays-in-import-clearance-rising-costs/44-790259

Govt. committee flags inflation risks from insufficient fuel quotas
A Government-appointed committee monitoring the supply of essential goods has warned of possible price increases ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, citing insufficient fuel quotas constraining domestic distribution.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-committee-flags-inflation-risks-from-insufficient-fuel-quotas/44-790254

Port City, BOI eye Gulf-linked inflows as CoPF flags delays and policy gaps
The Colombo Port City Economic Commission and the Board of Investment (BOI) told the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) that the current Middle East crisis presents an opportunity to attract investment flows to Sri Lanka, particularly from businesses seeking alternative locations in the region.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Port-City-BOI-eye-Gulf-linked-inflows-as-CoPF-flags-delays-and-policy-gaps/44-790258

Ambeon makes voluntary offer for Harischandra at Rs. 3,400 per share
Ambeon Essentials Ltd., a subsidiary of Ambeon Capital PLC, on Friday announced a voluntary offer to acquire all issued and paid-up ordinary voting shares of Harischandra Mills PLC at Rs. 3,400 per share, implying a total equity valuation of approximately Rs. 6.5 billion and confirming pricing for the transaction first disclosed in January.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Ambeon-makes-voluntary-offer-for-Harischandra-at-Rs-3-400-per-share/44-790252

International expansion: JAT Holdings enters Aus. cabinetry manuf. Segment
JAT’s initial entry into the market through SEAFORM Perth provided clear indicators of demand for premium cabinetry solutions. The business observed sustained traction at a premium price point, alongside an opportunity to better align supply with evolving customer expectations around lead times and cost efficiency within the local market.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/cPjcL0mE7UHEwiNhImv6

Ground war fears grow: 7 key updates from Middle East crisis
The Middle East conflict continues to escalate with threats of ground operations, fresh strikes across the region and growing risks to global shipping and infrastructure.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/03/29/ground-war-fears-grow-7-key-updates-from-middle-east-crisis/

Stocks slide in Asia, Brent crude heads for record monthly rise
Stock futures slid in Asia on Monday as investors dug in for a protracted Gulf conflict that already has oil prices heading for a record monthly rise, bringing a spike in inflation and the risk of recession to much of the globe.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/world/china/global-markets-global-markets-2026-03-29/

BOJ debated need for more rate hikes, March meeting summary shows
Bank of Japan policymakers debated the need to raise interest rates further ‌as surging oil costs from the Middle East conflict heighten inflationary pressure, with one signalling the need to accelerate the ⁠pace of hikes, a summary of opinions at their March policy meeting showed on Monday.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/boj-debated-need-more-rate-hikes-march-meeting-summary-shows-2026-03-30/