SenFin Research – News Updates – 9 November 2026

Official reserves top $ 7 b in Oct., CBSL ups dollar buying with $ 191 m
Official reserve assets topped the $ 7 billion mark at end-October, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data showed, as the monetary authority increased US dollar purchases from the domestic foreign exchange market.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Official-reserves-top-7-b-in-Oct-CBSL-ups-dollar-buying-with-191-m/44-799829

Record workers’ remittances in Oct., first 10 months
Workers’ remittances surged to a record high in October, driving one of the strongest 10-month performances in the country’s history, despite heightened economic uncertainty from the ongoing Middle East conflict, a region that hosts a large share of Sri Lankan migrant workers.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Record-workers-remittances-in-Oct-first-10-months/44-799827

Private credit rebounds in Sept., but growth slows a third month
Private sector borrowing from Sri Lanka’s banking system rebounded in September from August’s four-month low, though annual growth slowed for a third consecutive month.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Private-credit-rebounds-in-Sept-but-growth-slows-a-third-month/44-799826

JAAF welcomes Govt.’s stance on securing long-term access to EU market
The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) yesterday said it appreciates the Government’s commitment to submitting a fresh application for the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) scheme under the new 10-year trade framework.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/JAAF-welcomes-Govt-s-stance-on-securing-long-term-access-to-EU-market/44-799828

Sri Lanka secures USD 100 Mn ADB loan to transform skills development system
The Government of Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed a loan agreement for USD 100 million to implement the Skills Development System Transformation Programme, financed under the result-based modality. The agreement was signed at the General Treasury in Colombo by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on behalf of the Government, and Shannon Cowlin, Country Director of the ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission, on behalf of the Bank.Sri Lanka travel.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/11/09/business/1049362/sri-lanka-secures-usd-100-mn-adb-loan-to-transform-skills-development-system/

Sri Lanka’s stocks rally as lending rates ease
ri Lanka’s stock market surged this week, with the All-Share Price Index climbing 5.45 per cent to 21,239.65 points and the S&P SL20 rising 5.20 per cent to 6,045.38, the Central Bank’s latest weekly indicators show.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/11/09/business/1049369/sri-lankas-stocks-rally-as-lending-rates-ease/

AI-driven growth: Central banks should watch slowdown: IMF
Central bankers around the world would need to consider any slowdown in AI-driven growth as they assess steps in their fight against inflation, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday (6).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/JkjKAhyBj0hWRFBiaPtN

Middle East conflict: HIP emerges as alternative gateway
Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Al-Futtaim Logistics have discussed opportunities to expand their existing business relationship, against a backdrop of Middle East shipping disruption that has highlighted Hambantota’s role as an alternative transhipment gateway for vehicles destined for Gulf markets.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/siA2QTWnHAXUvBggOPbg

Construction: Cement price up Rs 100 per 50kg bag
Sri Lanka’s cement companies have increased the price of a 50-kilogram (kg) bag of cement by Rs 100, due to rising production costs.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/eFodGpDJ9GgiyvNBEApz

Foreign investors exit Sri Lanka rupee bonds for third straight week
Foreign investors sold Sri Lanka rupee bonds and exited for a third straight week in the week ended on November 5, Central Bank data showed, despite slight appreciation in the rupee currency.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/foreign-investors-exit-sri-lanka-rupee-bonds-for-third-straight-week-289278/

Developing countries’ external debt surges to $ 9.4 t
External debt of developing countries jumped 5.5% to a record $ 9.4 trillion in 2025, the fastest pace since 2021 and about four times the 2022–24 average, according to the World Bank Group’s International Debt Report 2026. Access to international finance has improved, but the price of finance has not, and high debt burdens in the poorest countries threaten to crowd out essential investments in people.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/QN0IerZYz8BAocpib21J

Global oil prices record sharp weekly decline amid hopes of easing Middle East tensions
Global oil prices have recorded one of their sharpest weekly declines in years, as investors anticipate a possible easing of the conflict involving Iran and a recovery in Middle Eastern oil supplies.
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/11/08/global-oil-prices-record-sharp-weekly-decline-amid-hopes-of-easing-middle-east-tensions/