SenFin Research – News Updates – 9 June 2026

May tourist arrivals hit record high, industry questions earnings
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry achieved a historic milestone in May, recording its highest-ever tourist arrivals for the month with 145,745 visitors, surpassing the previous May record of 132,919 arrivals in 2025 and registering a 9.65% year-on-year (YoY) increase. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/top-story/May-tourist-arrivals-hit-record-high-industry-questions-earnings/26-793046

January – May: Worker remittance sees 26% y-o-y growth
Sri Lanka’s worker remittances grew by 26% in year-on-year terms between the months of January to May, compared to the same time last year, reaching $ 3.9 billion in the first five months of the year, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data shows. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/abF7KnzeAB4kvl3G31CG

Finance Bill clears key tax reforms as telecom tower incentives win approval
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved a series of tax and fiscal policy reforms, including a five-year tax exemption for newly constructed telecommunications towers, while rejecting a proposal that would have allowed telecom operators to claim tax relief on unpaid customer bills. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Finance-Bill-clears-key-tax-reforms-as-telecom-tower-incentives-win-approval/44-793042

Vehicle import surcharge yet to dent demand: Customs
Sri Lanka Customs said vehicle imports have remained resilient despite the temporary surcharge imposed on imports earlier this year, with revenue from the sector continuing to account for around one-third of total Customs collections. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Vehicle-import-surcharge-yet-to-dent-demand-Customs/44-793045

France committed helping Sri Lanka return to sustainable financial path – ambassador
Sri Lanka today is emerging from several crises which have challenged its modern history. The economic crisis, Ditwah and international challenges in the Strait of Hormuz. On all these issues, France has been alongside the Government of Sri Lanka, and stay, remain committed to the Government of Sri Lanka, Rémi Lambert, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka told the AFD Group 20th Anniversary Celebrations held in Sri Lanka. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/09/business/1007746/france-committed-helping-sri-lanka-return-to-sustainable-financial-path-ambassador/

Sri Lanka Economic Summit to focus on pressing national priorities
The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit will provide a platform for dialogue on the country’s economic future with a focus on a range of pressing national priorities, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-economic-summit-to-focus-on-pressing-national-priorities-274720/


OPR: Credit card interest to rise from 1 July
Sri Lanka's credit card interest rates are to increase from 1 July. Following the recent decision by the Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to raise the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 100 basis points, a corresponding increase in market interest rates has been reported. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/MXpY3r6LqDt3FFzPqwQA

Banking credit-to-deposit ratio breaches 70% as rapid lending sparks systemic risk warnings
Sri Lanka’s banking sector witnessed its credit-to-deposit ratio surge to 71.2 percent by the end of the first quarter of 2026. This marks a significant milestone, with financial intermediation improving as the ratio surpassed 70 percent for the first time in the last three years, indicating a continued recovery in lending. Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Banking-credit-to-deposit-ratio-breaches-70-as-rapid-lending-sparks-systemic-risk-warnings/245-342242

Sri Lanka’s new active credit cards in April slows from previous month
The expansion in new active credit cards in Sri Lanka in April slowed compared to a month ago, Central Bank data showed, amid rising uncertainty following the escalation in the Middle East and fuel rationing. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-new-active-credit-cards-in-april-slows-from-previous-month-274746/

National Export Development Plan 2026-2030 to be launched on June 16
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has successfully formulated the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2026-2030, aimed at accelerating the country’s export-led economic growth. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/09/business/1007772/national-export-development-plan-2026-2030-to-be-launched-on-june-16/

Oil shock: SL likely to face ‘severe’ structural risk: IATA
With the ongoing energy-crisis brought on by the war in the Middle-East, Sri Lanka, along with Bangladesh and Pakistan have been categorised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as nations which run structural risks with severe levels of expected downgrades in growth this year, due to balance of payments risks and currency pressures. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/FGIGeudWAlQMp8iLpkn8

Forecasts revised down: Oil crisis hits world growth outlook
World growth prospects have been hurt by the oil crisis prompted by the US-Iran war, Fitch Ratings said in its latest Global Economic Outlook (GEO). This has led to Fitch lowering its 2026 forecast for global growth by 0.2pp to 2.4%. Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/FbLNaqUxp4skUQO5O6Ms

Secondary Bond market starts off steady
Rates were seen holding broadly steady from the previous week’s closing. Activity was observed at subdued levels as market participants adopted a wait-and-see approach amidst the prevailing uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict and an action-packed week with back-to-back Treasury Bill and Bond auctions. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Secondary-Bond-market-starts-off-steady/42-793073

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 337.00/30 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 337.00/30 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday, from 335.50/336.25 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields closed flat. Source: (economynext)
https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-337-00-30-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-274730/

Sri Lanka stocks down in midday trading, ASPI sheds 386.34 points
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange was trending down in Monday trading, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 1.68 percent. Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-down-in-midday-trading-aspi-sheds-386-34-points-274699/

First capital takes lead in sustainability across capital market industry
First Capital Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group) and a key player in Sri Lanka’s capital markets landscape, secured several global and local sustainability affiliations during FY 2025/26 while deepening its commitment towards responsible finance, climate accountability, financial inclusion and long-term stakeholder value creation. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/09/business/1007555/first-capital-takes-lead-in-sustainability-across-capital-market-industry/

LB Finance surpasses Rs. 25 b pre-tax profit on exponential loan portfolio growth, pays Rs. 13.7 b taxes to Govt.
LB Finance PLC reported a landmark financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, becoming one of the few non-bank financial institutions in Sri Lanka to surpass the Rs. 25 billion Pre-Tax Profit milestone, while remitting Rs. 13.72 billion in direct and indirect taxes to the Government during the year. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/LB-Finance-surpasses-Rs-25-b-pre-tax-profit-on-exponential-loan-portfolio-growth-pays-Rs-13-7-b-taxes-to-Govt/44-793044

Jat Holdings records highest-ever revenue in fy25/26 and PBT increases despite external shocks
JAT Holdings PLC recorded its highest-ever annual revenue in FY25/26, with performance reflecting the continued strength of its core coatings business, disciplined manufacturing strategy, and investments in emerging growth platforms despite a challenging external environment. Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/09/business/1007769/jat-holdings-records-highest-ever-revenue-in-fy25-26-and-pbt-increases-despite-external-shocks/

Realty Management Services brings facility management expertise to Dialog Axiata
Dialog Axiata PLC has signed a milestone agreement with Realty Management Services Ltd., (RMS) to manage soft services at its head office and other key locations across the Colombo Metropolitan area. This marks the first time Dialog has outsourced its facility management services to a third-party service provider. Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/business/Realty-Management-Services-brings-facility-management-expertise-to-Dialog-Axiata/34-793067