SenFin Research – News Updates – 31 August 2026

SL inches towards 1.5 m tourists amidst downturn
Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery has lost momentum, with year-to-date (YTD) arrivals falling nearly 2% year-on-year (YoY) despite crossing the 1.5 million milestone, putting renewed pressure on the upwardly revised target of 2.7 million visitors for the year. Source:(DailyFT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/SL-inches-towards-1-5-m-tourists-amidst-downturn/26-796535

SL to miss IMF reserve ratio, approximation urged
Sri Lanka may not be able to reach a Adequacy of Reserves Assessment ratio of 100% by end-2026 – which assesses the country's ability to repay debt – but it should try to approximate the target set by the International Monetary Fund at the signing of the Extended Fund Facility, despite its less than favorable sovereign credit rating, Committee on Public Finance Chairperson Harsha de Silva said on Saturday (29), speaking to media. Source: (the morning)https://www.themorning.lk/articles/N9OR8t6PUlu6WcrqyyJk

Japan offers fresh opportunity to boost tourism revenue
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has received a fresh boost from the Japanese market with 200 Japanese tourists travelling to the island on a single direct flight, highlighting the considerable economic potential that could be generated by expanding arrivals from Japan. Source: (Daily News)
https://dailynews.lk/2026/08/31/business/1036219/japan-offers-fresh-opportunity-to-boost-tourism-revenue/

Sri Lanka Customs exceeds revenue goal for eighth straight month in August
Sri Lanka Customs exceeded its monthly target for an eighth consecutive month in August, achieving the target before the end of the month, official data showed. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-customs-exceeds-revenue-goal-for-eighth-straight-month-in-august-282235/

Oil jumps more than 1% after US attack on Iran's Larak island
Oil prices jumped more than $1 a ‌barrel on Monday after the U.S. attacked an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz and drew retaliation from Tehran, as conflict in the Middle East extended into its sixth month. Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-jumps-more-than-2-after-us-attack-irans-larak-island-2026-08-30/

DFCC Garusaru expands long-term financing for pensioners with loans of up to Rs. 12 Mn.
Eligible pensioners can now access financing through the DFCC Garusaru Pension Loan, with repayment periods of up to 15 years and a choice of fixed or variable interest rates. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/08/31/business/1036208/dfcc-garusaru-expands-long-term-financing-for-pensioners-with-loans-of-up-to-rs-12-mn/