SenFin Research – News Updates – 9 May 2026

National poverty line rises again in March
Sri Lanka’s national poverty line increased to Rs. 16,690 per person per month in March 2026, up from Rs. 16,571 in February, reversing the brief easing recorded earlier and pointing to renewed pressure on minimum household consumption costs.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/National-poverty-line-rises-again-in-March/44-791675

Sri Lanka’s elevated risk profile to trigger higher tariffs in future state energy tenders
Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector is warning of a severe long-term fallout from the ongoing financial crisis, cautioning that the government’s blatant disregard for the existing payment agreements will drastically drive up the cost of future clean energy projects.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Sri-Lankas-elevated-risk-profile-to-trigger-higher-tariffs-in-future-state-energy-tenders/245-339837

Preparedness uneven as Sri Lankan corporates face rising global shocks
The Sri Lankan corporates are better prepared for external shocks than they were during the 2022 crisis but significant gaps remain, particularly in scenario planning and deep risk analysis, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Chairman Chaaminda Kumarasiri said.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Preparedness-uneven-as-Sri-Lankan-corporates-face-rising-global-shocks/273-339836

Sri Lanka targets $ 1 b trade with Vietnam by 2030
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday outlined Sri Lanka’s ambition to deepen economic engagement with Vietnam, setting a bilateral trade target of $ 1 billion by 2030, while positioning the country as an export-driven and investment-friendly economy ready for its next phase of growth.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-targets-1-b-trade-with-Vietnam-by-2030/44-791678

Sri Lanka, Pakistan look to boost trade with private sector ties
Sri Lanka and Pakistan have discussed expanding bilateral trade through enhanced private sector collaboration, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-pakistan-look-to-boost-trade-with-private-sector-ties/-/270565/

Sri Lanka rupee closes weaker to dollar; bond yields flat
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 321.70/90 to the US dollar in the spot market on Friday, weaker from 321.70/85 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were steady.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-weaker-to-dollar-bond-yields-flat/-/267999/

Sri Lanka stocks close up after volatile session
Sri Lanka’s stock market closed up a marginal 0.29 percent on Friday after a volatile trading session which saw the benchmark index breach the 23,000 mark before dipping and gaining again.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-up-after-volatile-session/-/270712/

Sanasa Life suspension extended until July
Sanasa Life Insurance Company this week announced that the suspension of its registration had been extended for a further two months by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sanasa-Life-suspension-extended-until-July/44-791672

People’s Leasing & Finance Rs10bn debt issue rated BBB+ by Fitch
Sri Lanka-based People’s Leasing & Finance’s proposed subordinated listed 10 billion rupee debenture issue has been assigned an expected National Long-Term Rating of BBB+(lka)(EXP) by Fitch Ratings.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/peoples-leasing-finance-rs10bn-debt-issue-rated-bbb-by-fitch/-/270689/