SenFin Research – News Updates – 8 April 2026

IMF staff-level agreement to be signed tomorrow: President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said Sri Lanka will receive the fifth and sixth review tranches totaling $ 700 million of the IMF Extended Fund Facility before end-May.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/IMF-staff-level-agreement-to-be-signed-tomorrow-President/44-790632

Aid to buffer potential forex crisis
Multilateral financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank is expected to buffer against the potential impact of dwindling foreign reserves as Sri Lanka’s tourism arrivals drop, and debt repayment obligations arise this month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in parliament yesterday (7).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/mEgM02DSOcQICSUZEgBx

Sri Lanka’s Official Reserves fall 3.5% in March – CBSL
Sri Lanka’s Official Reserve Assets have decreased by 3.5% to USD 7,019 million in March 2026, according to the latest data of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Source: (newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/04/08/sri-lankas-official-reserves-fall-3-5-in-march-cbsl/

Tea prices extend slide for third straight month in March
Sri Lanka’s national tea sales average declined for a third consecutive month in March 2026, extending a steady slide from the peak recorded in December 2025, according to Forbes & Walker Research.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tea-prices-extend-slide-for-third-straight-month-in-March/44-790626#

Tourist arrivals cross 750,000 mark
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector successfully crossed the three-quarter million milestone during the first week of April, with cumulative arrivals for the year reaching 767,434 by 5 April.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Tourist-arrivals-cross-750-000-mark/245-337423

Cabinet clears VAT, Finance Act amendments
As the government advances tax policy changes outlined in recent budgets, the Cabinet this week approved amendments to both the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act and the Finance Act, clearing the way for the proposed bills to be gazetted and presented to parliament.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Cabinet-clears-VAT-Finance-Act-amendments/273-337419

Global equity markets cautious while oil holds near $ 110
Global equity markets traded cautiously on Tuesday, while oil prices held near $110 a barrel as investors remained on edge over the risk of further escalation in the Middle East and an impending deadline for a potential agreement.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Global-equity-markets-cautious-while-oil-holds-near-110/42-790616

Govt. to subsidise fuel, expand welfare as Middle East tensions lift costs
The government will subsidise fuel, expand cash handouts and extend targeted support to key sectors, as the government moves to cushion the economic fallout from rising energy prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Govt-to-subsidise-fuel-expand-welfare-as-Middle-East-tensions-lift-costs/273-337422

Global turbulence and Sri Lankan capital market: Navigating risks and capturing “Neutrality Premium”
The global economic landscape is undergoing a period of structural realignment. What began as isolated geopolitical tensions has evolved into a broader reconfiguration of trade, capital flows, and economic alliances.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/columns/Global-turbulence-and-Sri-Lankan-capital-market-Navigating-risks-and-capturing-Neutrality-Premium/4-790611

How do we plug into India’s future?
In a volatile world, India is emerging as a stable destination for global capital, said Baker Tilly CEO Francesca Lagerberg, to the Times of India last week. Investors are seeking trusted and stable markets and with the correct positioning, India can exceed expectations, she noted.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/How-do-we-plug-into-Indias-future/273-337411

US crude slumps below $100 after Trump announces two-week ceasefire
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell by nearly $20 per barrel on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had ‌agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran that was subject to the immediate and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-crude-futures-fall-1204-10090bbl-after-trump-announces-two-week-ceasefire-2026-04-07/

Sri Lanka rupee closes flat, bond yields stead
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed flat at 315.40/50 to the US dollar in the spot market Tuesday, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-flat-bond-yields-steady-266582/

JXG IPO opens tomorrow
JXG, the parent company of the Janashakthi Group, an established financial conglomerate comprising of Janashakthi Insurance PLC, First Capital Holdings PLC and Janashakthi Finance PLC, will open its Initial Public Offering (IPO) tomorrow (9).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/JXG-IPO-opens-tomorrow/44-790624

NDB Board gets flack for ignoring high Rs. 12.3 b receivables arising from CEFT deals
The Board and senior management of Rs. 13.2 billion fraud-embattled NDB has come under flack for ignoring a sharp rise in receivables arising from CEFT transactions in 2025.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/NDB-Board-gets-flack-for-ignoring-high-Rs-12-3-b-receivables-arising-from-CEFT-deals/44-790631

Fraud-hit NDB share price falls 15% after trading halt lifted
Rs. 13.2 billion fraud-hit NDB Bank’s share price yesterday fell down 15.13% or Rs. 19.75 to close at Rs. 110.75 after the Colombo Stock Exchange lifted the trading suspension.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Fraud-hit-NDB-share-price-falls-15-after-trading-halt-lifted/44-790630

Dockyard gets major boost from DCI fleet services deal
In a major move to improve business volumes and deepen maritime integration with the subcontinent, Colombo Dockyard PLC and Dredging Corporation of India Ltd. (DCI) yesterday entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide comprehensive dry docking, repair, and upgrade facilities for DCI’s fleet of dredgers.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Dockyard-gets-major-boost-from-DCI-fleet-services-deal/44-790625

HSBC revives Australia retail exit plan
HSBC has revived a sale process linked to its Australian retail banking business, but the plan is now centred on offloading the loan portfolio rather than disposing of the entire operation at once, reported The Australian.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/HSBC-revives-Australia-retail-exit-plan/42-790615

Trump announces two-week ceasefire as Iran agrees to reopen Hormuz Strait
United States President Donald Trump has agreed to suspend his planned bombing of Iran for two weeks, following his threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran did not comply with his demands.
Source: (Aljazeera) https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/7/trump-suspends-iran-bombing-for-two-weeks-following-dire-threats

Trump Announces Two-Week Ceasefire With Iran, Cites Breakthrough Talks on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced a two-week suspension of U.S. bombing and attack operations against Iran, describing the decision as part of a “double sided CEASEFIRE” aimed at finalizing a long-term peace agreement and ensuring stability in the Middle East.
Source: (News1st) https://english.newsfirst.lk/2026/04/08/trump-announces-two-week-ceasefire-with-iran-cites-breakthrough-talks-on-strait-of-hormuz