SenFin Research – News Updates – 7 April 2026

National poverty line eases in Feb.
Sri Lanka’s national poverty line increased to Rs. 16,730 per person per month in January, up from Rs. 16,334 a year earlier, before easing to Rs. 16,571 in February, according to official district-level estimates released by the Department of Census and Statistics.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/National-poverty-line-eases-in-Feb/44-790558

Oil prices reach higher after Donald Trump’s statement
Oil prices pushed higher yesterday (06) after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian energy facilities if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/07/business/978565/oil-prices-reach-higher-after-donald-trumps-statement/

Capital market access: First UCITS fund targets SL friction
Sri Lanka’s capital market continues to be a lesser-known frontier market among foreign investors due to its long-running complex process of navigating local market access infrastructure, ACP Asset Management Chief Investment Officer Asanth Sebastian said, speaking to Ambeon Insights recently (5).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/TEaOc3LaIqgHB1RPKzTE

Govt. fast-tracks BESS push to manage renewables surge
The Government has accelerated plans to deploy large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), as it moves to address growing imbalances in the power system driven by the rapid expansion of renewable energy.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-fast-tracks-BESS-push-to-manage-renewables-surge/44-790560

99% of transactions in SL still made in cash
Around 99% of transactions in Sri Lanka are still made in cash, as Rs. 6.3 trillion cash-based transactions were made in the fourth quarter of 2025, while QR-based transactions remained below Rs. 400,000, said Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne speaking at the National Payment Adoption Launch Programme yesterday (6) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/tQKOLrzzcOtpR9TgQaVy

CBSL to push bank consolidation if industry moves too slow
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has signalled a clear push towards consolidation in Sri Lanka’s banking sector, with Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe warning that weaker institutions will be compelled to merge if they fail to strengthen their balance sheets within the next few years.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/CBSL-to-push-bank-consolidation-if-industry-moves-too-slow/44-790565

Digitalisation: ATM alternative should be pursued: CBSL
The provision of cash transaction services through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) adds a significant cost to Sri Lanka’s banking sector, and making the transition into alternatives a much more economical option, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said this during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the heads of banks and financial institutions, yesterday (6)
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/buDBDKm7eDYucVF5AGLt

VAT on digital services delayed again
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has postponed the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital services supplied through electronic platforms by non-resident providers to 1 July 2026, subject to amendments to the VAT Act.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/VAT-on-digital-services-delayed-again/44-790561

Wednesday Special Holiday Cancelled from April 8
The special holiday granted on Wednesdays for government institutions, schools and universities will be cancelled with effect from April 8, the Commissioner General of Essential Services announced.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/06/wednesday-special-holiday-cancelled-from-april-8/

Sri Lanka rupee closes weaker, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 315.40/50 to the US dollar in the spot market Monday, from 315.30/40 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-weaker-bond-yields-steady-266431/

Sri Lanka stocks close up, selling pressure in banks
The Colombo Stock Exchange All Shares Price Index closed up 0.04 percent on Monday, after experiencing a dip during midday trading, CSE data showed.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-selling-pressure-in-banks-266418/

Fitch publishes ‘A(lka)’ rating on WindForce’s proposed debentures
Fitch Ratings has published the National Long-Term Rating of ‘A(lka)’ on WindForce PLC’s proposed senior unsecured redeemable debentures of up to Rs.4 billion.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Fitch-publishes-Alka-rating-on-WindForces-proposed-debentures/273-337305

NDB addresses fraud incident, reinforces financial strength and stability
National Development Bank PLC issuing a statement on a previously disclosed fraud incident, with a clear assurance to customers and all stakeholders.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/04/07/business/978547/ndb-addresses-fraud-incident-reinforces-financial-strength-and-stability/

Vallibel Finance sets course for expansion with Rs. 2.12bn 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. The capital-raising initiative comes amid a gradually stabilizing economic landscape in Sri Lanka, where financial institutions are increasingly prioritizing resilience, capital adequacy, and forward-looking growth strategies.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Vallibel-Finance-sets-course-for-expansion-with-Rs-2-12bn-capital-raise/273-337302

Sri Lanka’s NDB says loss from internal fraud Rs13.2bn, trading halted
Sri Lanka’s National Development Bank PLC said it has established that a fraud committed by employees has led to a loss of approximately 13.2 billion rupees.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-ndb-says-loss-from-internal-fraud-rs13-2bn-trading-halted-266346/