SenFin Research – News Updates – 6 August 2026

Tourist arrivals stabilise in July despite 1.7% dip as India cushions Western slowdown
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry showed signs of stabilising in July, with international arrivals slipping by just 1.7% year-on-year (YoY), as robust growth from India helped cushion the lingering impact of aviation disruptions that have weighed on long-haul travel since the Middle East conflict escalated earlier this year.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tourist-arrivals-stabilise-in-July-despite-1-7-dip-as-India-cushions-Western-slowdown/44-795654

July tea sale average climbs to Rs.1,176 per kg
The national tea sale average rose in July, supported by firmer Low Grown prices, although the industry’s performance in US dollar terms continued to trail last year, amid the currency movements.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/July-tea-sale-average-climbs-to-Rs-1-176-per-kg/273-347510

Oil prices slip as Iran-Oman talks fuel hopes for US-Iran peace deal
Oil prices slipped on Thursday as investors assessed whether progress in Iran-Oman talks could pave the way for a U.S.-Iran peace deal to end the five-month war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-prices-slip-iran-oman-talks-fuel-hopes-us-iran-peace-deal-2026-08-06/

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 335.55/60 to US dollar spot, bond yields down
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 335.55/60 to the US dollar in the spot market on Wednesday from 335.70/75 the previous day, while bond yields closed lower dealers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-335-55-60-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-down-280034/

Sri Lanka stocks close up on institutional and high-net-worth interest
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as market sentiment continued to improve brokers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-on-institutional-and-high-net-worth-interest-280010/

Asia Asset Finance PBT surges 198% in FY2026/27
Asia Asset Finance PLC (AAF) has delivered an exceptional opening quarter for FY2026/27, recording strong growth across profitability, income, assets and shareholder returns for the three months ended 30 June 2026.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/08/06/business/1032067/asia-asset-finance-pbt-surges-198-in-fy2026-27/

Vallibel Finance surpasses Rs.200bn in total assets
Vallibel Finance PLC yesterday disclosed its total asset base has exceeded Rs.200 billion, marking a key milestone for the listed finance company as it continues to expand its balance sheet. In a disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange, the company said its total assets had surpassed the Rs.200 billion mark as at July 31, 2026, based on the unaudited management accounts. The company did not provide a breakdown of the asset growth or indicate the factors that contributed to the increase.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Vallibel-Finance-surpasses-Rs-200bn-in-total-assets/273-347509

Harischandra Mills delivers strong first-quarter earnings on revenue surge
Harischandra Mills PLC reported a sharp rise in first-quarter earnings, with profit after tax surging 147 percent year-on-year to Rs.91.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, supported by a double-digit revenue growth and stronger operating profitability across its core businesses. Revenue rose 31 percent to Rs.1.93 billion, from Rs.1.47 billion a year earlier, while gross profit increased 35 percent to Rs.347.5 million, lifting the gross profit margin to 18 percent, from 17 percent in the corresponding period. Other income more than tripled to Rs.22.6 million, further boosting earnings.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Harischandra-Mills-delivers-strong-first-quarter-earnings-on-revenue-surge/273-347511