SenFin Research – News Updates – 6 April 2026

Inflation edges up as credit growth expands; external pressures
Sri Lanka’s weekly economic indicators presented by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) a mixed outlook during the week ending April 2, 2026, with a slight uptick in inflation, continued expansion in private sector credit, and persistent external sector pressures, according to the latest “Highlights of the Week” report.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/06/business/977885/inflation-edges-up-as-credit-growth-expands-external-pressures-persist/

New private sector borrowing sees sharp Feb. recovery
Private sector credit showed a sharp rebound in February, with fresh borrowings rising 74.7% month-on-month to Rs. 144.3 billion from a nine-month low in January, even as overall lending momentum remained below late-2025 peaks amid lingering post-Cyclone Ditwah disruptions and before the outbreak of the Middle East war.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/New-private-sector-borrowing-sees-sharp-Feb-recovery/44-790535

Litro, LAUGFS raise LPG prices as global costs surge; firms assure supply stability
The two main domestic gas suppliers, Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., and LAUGFS Gas PLC, have raised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices with effect from yesterday (5) midnight, citing sharp increases in global energy costs and mounting logistical pressures linked to geopolitical tensions.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Litro-LAUGFS-raise-LPG-prices-as-global-costs-surge-firms-assure-supply-stability/44-790528

Tourist arrivals plunge 20% in March as Middle East crisis disrupts global transit routes
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector suffered a sharp reversal of fortunes in March, with international arrivals plunging 19.7 percent year-on-year to 183,979 as the escalating conflict in the Middle East severely disrupted global aviation networks.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Tourist-arrivals-plunge-20-in-March-as-Middle-East-crisis-disrupts-global-transit-routes/245-337214

Central Bank dollar sales hit 31-month high amidst currency pressure
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka intervened in the domestic foreign exchange market by selling 71.5 million US dollars in March 2026, marking the highest level of monthly dollar sales since August 2023.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Central-Bank-dollar-sales-hit-31-month-high-amidst-currency-pressure/273-337213

Govt. takes stock of governance reform
Sri Lanka has completed several key governance reforms under its 2025 action plan, including asset recovery legislation and beneficial ownership disclosures, but major structural reforms such as the Public Procurement Law and the State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) framework have been delayed into 2026, according to a progress report.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-takes-stock-of-governance-reforms/44-790529

All sectors of the world affected with fuel shortage
One month into the war in Iran, a growing shortage of crude oil is threatening to morph into something worse: a shortage of nearly everything.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/06/business/977906/all-sectors-of-the-world-affected-with-fuel-shortage/

Sri Lanka to fix fuel allowances amid energy crisis
The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has announced measures to manage public expenditure in response to the ongoing energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, aiming to ease pressure on the national economy while maintaining essential public services.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/06/business/977866/sri-lanka-to-fix-fuel-allowances-amid-energy-crisis/

Sigh of relief for taxpayers
In a significant and welcome development, the Government last week decided to revise the much-debated Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2026 following strong objections and a Supreme Court challenge.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Sigh-of-relief-for-taxpayers/26-790536

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector gains competitive edge under UK’s DCTS scheme
The United Kingdom’s revised Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), effective from January 2026, presents a clear opportunity for Sri Lanka’s apparel sector.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/06/business/977894/sri-lankas-apparel-sector-gains-competitive-edge-under-uks-dcts-scheme/

Foreign tourist spending in Sri Lanka declines, survey finds
The average expenditure of foreign tourists visiting Sri Lanka has declined significantly in recent years, according to a survey conducted by the Department of Economics and Statistics at the University of Peradeniya.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/06/business/977888/foreign-tourist-spending-in-sri-lanka-declines-survey-finds/

HIP expands capacity as Middle East crisis drives surge in shipping volumes
Hambantota International Port (HIP) has significantly expanded its operational capacity in response to a sharp surge in global shipping volumes triggered by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, reinforcing its position as a key alternative hub along the East-West shipping corridor.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/HIP-expands-capacity-as-Middle-East-crisis-drives-surge-in-shipping-volumes/44-790531

Oil prices open higher as US-Israeli war with Iran continues to disrupt supply
Oil prices opened higher on Monday after the Easter ‌holiday weekend as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran continues to disrupt global oil supply.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-prices-open-higher-us-israeli-war-with-iran-continues-disrupt-supply-2026-04-05/

Vallibel Finance sets course for expansion with Rs. 2.12 b capital raise
In a decisive step to reinforce its financial foundation and fuel its next wave of expansion, Vallibel Finance has unveiled plans to raise approximately Rs. 2.12 billion via a Rights Issue.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Vallibel-Finance-sets-course-for-expansion-with-Rs-2-12-b-capital-raise/42-790513

NDB Bank detects internal fraud with preliminary impact of Rs. 380mn
National Development Bank PLC has uncovered a fraudulent act committed by certain employees operating in connivance with external parties.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/NDB-Bank-detects-internal-fraud-with-preliminary-impact-of-Rs-380mn/273-337210