SenFin Research – News Updates – 5 April 2026

IMF Mission signals positive review outcome for Sri Lanka
The ongoing IMF staff mission in Sri Lanka is expected to conclude the combined 5th and 6th reviews on Thursday April 9 with a positive assessment, paving the way for the disbursement of approximately US$ 700 million, two tranches of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260405/business-times/imf-mission-signals-positive-review-outcome-for-sri-lanka-637289.html

Sri Lanka eyes post-IMF path
Sri Lanka must explore all possible avenues to navigate the post-International Monetary Fund (IMF) era, economists and financial sector analysts told Sunday Observer Business.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/04/05/business/75342/sri-lanka-eyes-post-imf-path/

Exporters urge Govt. action to avert looming cash flow crisis
Exporters have called for urgent Government intervention to mitigate an impending cash flow crisis in Sri Lanka’s export sector, driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict and rising global economic uncertainty.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/pfh29wmD2wqx3pzf994k

Iranian tea-for-oil barter suspended
Sri Lanka’s tea-for-oil barter mechanism with Iran has been suspended in order to avoid exceeding the $ 250 million payment pledge by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) reveals.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/BHMgdsyXRIDzes0RF4Kv

Govt. intervention through price controls unnecessary?
No significant increase in the prices of essential goods in the market that would warrant Government intervention through price controls has been observed so far, according to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Co-operative Development.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/OgEcZBKX05ORhKIdGM54

Current developments an opportunity to localise production: CIDA Chairman Prof. Chandana Jayalath
Global geopolitical tensions and ongoing supply chain disruptions are reshaping economic conditions worldwide, affecting key sectors such as construction and infrastructure development.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/gzbsumkseknHkMOrv0ih

From airlines to electricity: The cost of ignoring markets
Last week offered two clear reminders of a lesson Sri Lanka keeps learning the hard way.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/y1EFGJSP0kg3yyzKh7O6

Gulf crisis impact spreads across agri-food system
Amidst the ongoing crisis in the Gulf region, disruptions caused by fuel shortages and input constraints are spreading across Sri Lanka’s agricultural value chain and affecting food security.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/bPSLrsfQQquSO5q5gQib

Tax shake-up triggers palm oil price drop, coconut oil up
The Government has introduced a new import tax structure for coconut oil and palm oil. It has replaced the earlier structure with a general tax structure that includes 20 per cent customs duty, 20 per cent, 10 per cent Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) and 18 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) per consignment. Under the new scheme, the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) has been removed.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260405/business-times/tax-shake-up-triggers-palm-oil-price-drop-coconut-oil-up-637263.html

Can Sri Lanka stand alone?
With back-to-back shocks from Cyclone Ditwah and the more recent Middle East (ME) crisis still unfolding, Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, initiated under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, is reaching its critical final stage.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/04/05/business/75380/can-sri-lanka-stand-alone/

US Dollar losing dominance – Russian Deputy FM
The power of the US dollar as a dominant currency is diminishing, as most global trade is now conducted in local currencies through bilateral arrangements, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko during a visit to Colombo last week.
Source: (Sunday Observer) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/04/05/business/75344/us-dollar-losing-dominance-russian-deputy-fm/

T-bill yields surge for 2nd consecutive week
Yields rose across all tenors for the second consecutive week at last week’s Treasury bill (T-bill) auction, as the market continued to price in a higher risk premium.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/M5twb23NKwVU7sjgLBqn

CSE, Port City Colombo reignite dollar board discussions
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and CHEC Port City Colombo have resumed discussions on setting up a Multi-Currency Board (MCB) in the Port City Colombo.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260405/business-times/cse-port-city-colombo-reignite-dollar-board-discussions-637237.html

Massive Rs.380 m fraud reported at NDB
A massive fraud of approximately Rs.380 million involving some employees was reported on Thursday by the National Development Bank (NDB). The bank said the final figure is expected to be substantially higher.
Source: (Sunday Times) https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260405/business-times/massive-rs-380-m-fraud-reported-at-ndb-637243.html