SenFin Research – News Updates – 4 June 2026

Public debt edges higher in rupee terms in 1Q despite lower external stock
Sri Lanka’s gross public debt increased marginally during the first quarter of 2026 in rupee terms, despite a decline in the dollar value of Government debt, according to the latest Quarterly Statistical Debt Bulletin issued by the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Public-debt-edges-higher-in-rupee-terms-in-1Q-despite-lower-external-stock/44-792848

Treasury seeks public proposals to lift revenue to 20% of GDP
The Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry has called for public proposals on revenue enhancement strategies as the Government seeks to strengthen tax collection and increase revenue performance towards its long-term fiscal targets.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Treasury-seeks-public-proposals-to-lift-revenue-to-20-of-GDP/44-792849

Forced labour imports: Sri Lanka may be applicable for 12.5% tariff
Sri Lanka may be applicable for a 12.5% United States tariff, as proposed by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), for its lack of sufficient import prohibitions on forced-labor goods, the Office of the USTR said in a statement released on Tuesday (2).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/K9TmOw7TiDzp0R5aiq4i

Treasury officials processed $ 2.5 m payment using emailed invoices without verification
Officials of the Department of External Resources processed a loan repayment transaction linked to the fraudulent transfer of $ 2.5 million belonging to the Treasury using invoices received via email, without verifying the payment instructions against the original loan agreement or seeking additional confirmation, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Treasury-officials-processed-2-5-m-payment-using-emailed-invoices-without-verification/44-792851

Extended Fund Facility: $ 695 m from IMF credited to Treasury
The $ 695 million (m) disbursement to Sri Lanka under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Fund Facility programme has been credited to the Treasury, confirmed yesterday (3). Sri Lanka received the disbursement following the completion of the Fifth and the Sixth reviews of the IMF Extended Fund Facility.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/pfZC9Rd6WKWFS0bZ15k7

JAAF warns of competitiveness risk as Sri Lanka placed in higher US duty tier
Sri Lanka has been placed in the higher 12.5% tier of a proposed new US duty regime targeting economies that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) says have failed to impose or effectively enforce prohibitions on imports produced using forced labour.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/JAAF-warns-of-competitiveness-risk-as-Sri-Lanka-placed-in-higher-US-duty-tier/44-792847

Inflation, higher rates raise pressure on APAC covered bond borrowers: Fitch
Macroeconomic conditions across Fitch-rated APAC covered bond markets – Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea – have become more challenging. Persistent inflation remains the dominant theme across all four jurisdictions, with monetary tightening already underway in some markets and further rate increases under consideration elsewhere, Fitch Ratings says.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/inflation-higher-rates-raise-pressure-on-apac-covered-bond-borrowers-fitch-274263/

Litro gas revision on 5 June
Litro Gas Lanka Limited has announced that its gas price revision for this month (June) will be officially revealed tomorrow (04), with the new prices set to take effect from 5 June.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/HBTXm7TQx9B9nHcrgkP1

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields rise further, less bills sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields jumped across maturities at Wednesday’s auction, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed, with 111.1 billion rupees bills sold of an offered 140 billion.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-rise-further-less-bills-sold-274339/

Sri Lanka stocks close lower as ASPI drops 0.75-pct
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Wednesday trading, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.75 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-lower-as-aspi-drops-0-75-pct-274349/

Currency: USD selling rate surpasses Rs 337
The selling rate of the US dollar has surpassed the Rs 337 mark, according to yesterday’s daily exchange rates issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/thJKLB6yL5zQKsUlZTQO

Prime Lands Residencies reports exceptional FY2026 earnings with PAT up by 67% YoY to Rs. 2.06 Bn
Prime Lands Residencies PLC (CSE: PLR.N) has reported an outstanding financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026. Substantially exceeding market expectations, the Company reinforced its position as Sri Lanka’s undisputed real estate leader, propelled by massive operational scale, strategic project launches, and historic margin expansion.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/04/business/1005382/prime-lands-residencies-reports-exceptional-fy2026-earnings-with-pat-up-by-67-yoy-to-rs-2-06-bn/

Janashakthi Finance delivers strong Q4 growth
Janashakthi Finance PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group), delivered a strong performance for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, reflecting disciplined execution,continued business expansion and sustained momentum across its core lending and deposit businesses.The Company’s performance was further supported by improving economic activity, strengthening lending demand and continued focus on operational discipline and prudent portfolio management.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/04/business/1005385/janashakthi-finance-delivers-strong-q4-growth/

Exterminators reports 275% growth in net profit for FY 2025–26
Exterminators PLC has reported a strong financial turnaround for FY 2025–26, driven by accelerated digitalisation, artificial intelligence integration, and operational efficiency improvements across its pest management operations.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/04/business/1005364/exterminators-reports-275-growth-in-net-profit-for-fy-2025-26/

Aitken Spence ends FY26 on a strong note, ups PBT by 18% to Rs. 12.8 b
Aitken Spence PLC, a leading conglomerate with a diverse regional presence, has recorded a strong Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 12.8 billion for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Aitken-Spence-ends-FY26-on-a-strong-note-ups-PBT-by-18-to-Rs-12-8-b/44-792852

JAT posts record revenue in FY25/26, PBT up 5% despite external shocks
JAT Holdings PLC yesterday said that it posted its highest-ever annual revenue in FY25/26, with performance reflecting the continued strength of its core coatings business, disciplined manufacturing strategy, and investments in emerging growth platforms despite a challenging external environment.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/business/JAT-posts-record-revenue-in-FY25-26-PBT-up-5-despite-external-shocks/34-792857

Sri Lanka’s Maharaja Foods expands retail with SPAR partnership
Maharaja Foods PLC has opened its newest retail outlet under the name Maharaja Super – SPAR Savemore in Kotahena this week in partnership with SPAR Sri Lanka Pvt Ltd.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-maharaja-foods-expands-retail-with-spar-partnership-274327/