SenFin Research – News Updates – 7 May 2026

Sri Lanka Customs revenue surges 30.5% above April target
Sri Lanka Customs has recorded a strong revenue performance in April, exceeding its monthly target by 30.5%, while cumulative collections for the first four months of the year rose sharply by nearly 50% year-on-year (YoY), official data showed.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/business/Sri-Lanka-Customs-revenue-surges-30-5-above-April-target/34-791557

Currency pressure returns as Sri Lankan rupee slips past Rs.324 against US dollar
The Sri Lankan rupee weakened beyond the Rs.324 mark against the US dollar yesterday for the first time in more than two years, raising fresh concerns over the country’s fragile external balance sheet and rising foreign debt pressures.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Currency-pressure-returns-as-Sri-Lankan-rupee-slips-past-Rs-324-against-US-dollar/273-339636

Gold price up
It has been reported that in line with the rapid increase in the price of gold in the international market, the price of gold in the local market has also increased significantly.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/07/business/990734/gold-price-up/

Manufacturers demand renewable power access as electricity costs surge
The export manufacturers yesterday warned that imposing another extraordinary electricity tariff hike on the industry, without activating the long-promised power wheeling reforms, would deepen the country’s competitive disadvantage against the regional rivals and risk disrupting the export contracts already under negotiation for late 2026.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Manufacturers-demand-renewable-power-access-as-electricity-costs-surge/245-339637

SL’s property sector sees opening as Investors seek safer ground
Sri Lanka has an opportunity to position itself as an emerging real estate investment destination, but industry stakeholders say the country must address policy inconsistency, weak promotion, regulatory delays and investor uncertainty if it is to convert interest into capital inflows.
Source: (economynext) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/WpJwsviwBi3AsfZRK8W0

Inadequate state backing for charter flights threatens tourism revenue amid Middle East crisis
The Sri Lankan tourism sector is grappling with missed economic opportunities, due to inadequate state backing for charter flight operations during the crucial transition into the off-season.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Inadequate-state-backing-for-charter-flights-threatens-tourism-revenue-amid-Middle-East-crisis/273-339634

The Future of European Chemical Industry: Innovation, sustainability and global competition
In early nineties Sri Lankan manufactures very convince with European raw materials which was always quality consistence and long regarded as a global leader in innovation, is now entering a transformative period. Faced with rising energy costs, stricter environmental regulations, and increasing global competition, the sector must evolve rapidly to remain competitive in the decades ahead.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/07/business/990593/the-future-of-european-chemical-industry-innovation-sustainability-and-global-competition/

East Asia currency volatility: To benefit SL rubber manufacturers
Global foreign exchange volatility in rubber products manufacturing countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and China, offers Sri Lanka’s rubber glove manufacturers a competitive edge, First Capital’s recently published (4) rubber sector report said.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/tSkPdcIgVhOiLRR55ENF

Nuclear power in base-case electricity plan
Sri Lanka has, for the first time, incorporated nuclear power into its base-case long-term electricity generation plan, signaling a significant policy shift as the country explores solutions to its growing energy demand and long-term climate commitments.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/07/business/990731/nuclear-power-in-base-case-electricity-plan/

SL, S. Korea sign $ 267 m debt restructuring agreements
Sri Lanka and South Korea have signed debt restructuring amendment agreements covering 18 concessional loans worth around $ 267 million, marking a further step in Colombo’s broader external debt restructuring process while reaffirming bilateral development cooperation between the two countries.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/SL-S-Korea-sign-267-m-debt-restructuring-agreements/44-791577

Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields flat, all bills sold
Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields were flat across maturities at Wednesday’s auction, data from the Public Debt Management Office showed, with all offered 100 billion rupees bills sold.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-treasury-bill-yields-flat-all-bills-sold/-/270290/

Currency: LKR-USD selling rate crosses Rs. 324
Sri Lanka’s rupee continued to depreciate against the US dollar, with the selling rate climbing above Rs. 324 for the first time in over two years, while the buying rate of the US dollar stood at Rs. 316.40, while the selling rate rose to Rs. 324.03 yesterday.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/b3XdG71lqoRuLyJ4zOBX

Sri Lanka rupee closes weaker to dollar; bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 321.00/30 to the US dollar in the spot market on Wednesday, significantly weaker from 319.90/320.40 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields broadly steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-weaker-to-dollar-bond-yields-steady/-/270322/

Sri Lanka stocks close up, JKH and HNB lead gains
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Wednesday, CSE data showed, with the All Share Price Index gaining 0.69 percent, or 155.47 points, at 22,739.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-jkh-and-hnb-lead-gains/-/270307/

LCB Finance marks decade of growth; targets Rs. 20 b asset base by 2027
LCB Finance PLC recently 10 years, reflecting on a decade of steady growth, key milestones, and expanding customer reach, while outlining ambitious plans for the future.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/LCB-Finance-marks-decade-of-growth-targets-Rs-20-b-asset-base-by-2027/42-791565

Poultry sector revival lifts Three Acre Farms’ earnings in 1Q
Sri Lanka’s poultry sector is showing early signs of recovery, with the small and medium-scale farmers returning to production, amid the improving chicken demand and firmer festive season pricing, helping the listed poultry producer Three Acre Farms PLC post stronger first-quarter (1Q) earnings.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Poultry-sector-revival-lifts-Three-Acre-Farms-earnings-in-1Q/273-339633

Colombo Dockyard reports loss of 428.1 million in March 2026 quarter amid restructure
Colombo Dockyard PLC reported a loss of 428.1 million rupees for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, narrowing from a loss of 634.4 million rupees in the corresponding period last year.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/colombo-dockyard-reports-loss-of-428-1-million-in-march-2026-quarter-amid-restructure/-/270048/

Dhammika invests Rs. 4.6 b more in Hayleys via historic Rights Issue
Dhammika Perera has invested a further Rs. 4.6 billion in Hayleys PLC, reinforcing his confidence in the most diversified conglomerate in the country.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Dhammika-invests-Rs-4-6-b-more-in-Hayleys-via-historic-Rights-Issue/44-791580