SenFin Research – News Updates – 8 September 2026

27% of fuel sales bypass main suppliers
Around 27% of Sri Lanka’s petroleum product sales during FY2025, roughly 1.4 million MT, were sold outside the four licensed suppliers recognised by the Government (Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Lanka Indian Oil Corporation, Sinopec, and R M Parks) as a vast majority of it consisted of bunkering fuel utilised by the maritime sector, SenFin Finance’s recently released Fuel Imports and Consumption report said.Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/MvSIEOu2JSa4BXGu1lQV

Foreign Reserves Rise to USD 6,905 Million
The latest data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka shows that the country's official reserve assets increased by 4.6% to USD 6,905 million by the end of August 2026. At the end of the previous month, July 2026, this value was recorded at USD 6,600 million Source: (Ada Derana) https://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/foreign-reserves-rise-to-usd-6905-million/

Sri Lanka tourism outlook cut as Middle East conflict, energy shock cloud 2026
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is facing a more challenging 2026 than initially anticipated, with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) sharply revising down its arrival projections amid the Middle East conflict, higher energy costs, and growing uncertainty in international travel. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-tourism-outlook-cut-as-Middle-East-conflict-energy-shock-cloud-2026/44-796938

Reservoir levels fall near 50% amid dry spell
Water levels in reservoirs across Sri Lanka have dropped to around 47.3% of total capacity amid prevailing dry weather, the Irrigation Department said. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Reservoir-levels-fall-near-50-amid-dry-spell/44-796940

El Niño drought precautions: Farmers urged to think beyond paddy
The Agriculture Department has advised farmers to cultivate paddy only in the most productive areas and shift to field crops in other areas, as the country prepares for the predicted dry conditions associated with El Niño Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Dhog7Qm6dTnJewP56TDX

CSE starts week steady as indices edge higher amid balanced trading
The Colombo Stock Exchange opened the week on a relatively flat note on Monday, 7 September 2026, with both benchmark indices closing marginally higher following a volatile trading session.Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/CSE-starts-week-steady-as-indices-edge-higher-amid-balanced-trading/108-349671

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 328.25/30 to US dollar spot, bond yields up
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 328.25/30 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, while bond yields closed higher, dealers said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-328-25-30-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-up-282911/

Tourism authorities widen visitor map as super El Niño meets peak season
Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities are working with wildlife, irrigation and provincial agencies on a set of measures to hold the visitor experience steady through a super El Niño forecast to peak in the island’s busiest travel months, while remaining confident that arrivals will surpass 2.5 million this year, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Suranjith Wevita told Mirror Business. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Tourism-authorities-widen-visitor-map-as-super-El-Ni%C3%B1o-meets-peak-season/245-349600

Russian carriers stack up close to 50,000 winter seats into Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is set for its heaviest Russian winter since 2024/25, with charter and scheduled capacity from eight Russian cities converging on Mattala and Colombo between October and April. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Russian-carriers-stack-up-close-to-50-000-winter-seats-into-Sri-Lanka/273-349599

Central Bank’s dollar buying hits 29-month high in August at US$ 579mn
The Central Bank bought a net US$ 579 million from the domestic foreign exchange market in August, its largest monthly purchase in 29 months, taking net buying for the year to close to US$ 1.5 billion as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission arriving this week, as per Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Central-Banks-dollar-buying-hits-29-month-high-in-August-at-US-579mn/273-349598

SL targets 1 m cashew saplings as industry set for expansion
Sri Lanka is planning to expand its cashew industry by increasing annual sapling production to around 1 million from the current 300,000-400,000, under a 10-year plan aimed at expanding scientifically cultivated cashew acreage, by the Ministry of Science and Technology, under the chairmanship of the Minister Prof Crishantha Abeysena, according to the Department of Government information (DGI).Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/0xcQuigAXN5Darc13aYU

Oil prices rise amidst renewed fire in Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices have extended their gains as renewed strikes between the US and Iran on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz raise concerns of prolonged supply disruptions, according to Reuters. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/eSgi30GmVCoCkkgwdwAP

Japan’s reserves post record decline in Aug., after currency interventions
Japan’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $ 1.2 trillion at the end of August, falling by a record $ 79.6 billion, or 6.18%, over the month. Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Japan-s-reserves-post-record-decline-in-Aug-after-currency-interventions/44-796934

Tax charge trims Ceylon Guardian buyback as Carsons investment twins return Rs. 1bn
Ceylon Investment PLC and Ceylon Guardian Investment Trust PLC will return a combined Rs. 1.02 billion to shareholders through pro-rata share repurchases opening on 22 September, with Guardian disclosing that the size of its offer was fixed by the cash remaining after a Rs. 33.42 million tax charge, as per offer documents filed with the Colombo Stock Exchange. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Tax-charge-trims-Ceylon-Guardian-buyback-as-Carsons-investment-twins-return-Rs-1bn/273-349596