SenFin Research – News Updates – 5 August 2026

Local confectioners brace for bitter tariff squeeze
Sri Lanka’s tariff reforms could leave a bitter aftertaste for the local confectionery industry, with manufacturers warning that cheaper finished imports and heavily taxed production inputs are a recipe for an uneven playing field.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Local-confectioners-brace-for-bitter-tariff-squeeze/245-347407

Oil prices settle 5% lower after claims of progress in US-Iran talks
Oil prices fell more than 5% and settled at a three-week low on Tuesday after comments ‌by Qatari and U.S. officials raised hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the Iran war, which could improve oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-ticks-up-after-selloff-talks-end-us-iran-war-remain-uncertain-2026-08-04/

US States sue to block Trump tariffs
Twenty five States sued President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday over a wave of tariffs against dozens of countries.The US says the tariffs, which range between 10% and 12.5%, were imposed due to trading partners – including the UK, China and the European Union – failing to properly tackle forced labour.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/ToyK62W9ixehsVVQAZpG

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 335.70/75 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 335.70/75 to the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday, while bond yields were broadly steady across the majority of the yield curve dealers said.
(economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-335-70-75-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-279942/

Sri Lanka stocks close down, retailing leads turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange indices closed down on Tuesday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.19 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-retailing-leads-turnover-279904/