SenFin Research – News Updates – 9 October 2026

CBSL Systemic Risk Survey: Short and medium confidence in financial system up
Sri Lanka’s confidence in its financial system increased in both the short and medium terms in H2 of 2026, according to the perceptions of survey respondents to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s Key Findings of the Systemic Risk Survey (SRS) for H2 2026.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/zJIHFdCftszmcQNEhTbR

Sri Lanka’s official reserves decline to US$ 6.85 billion in September
Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets declined by 1.1% in September 2026, compared to the previous month, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Source: (Newswire) https://www.newswire.lk/2026/10/08/sri-lankas-official-reserves-decline-to-us-6-85-billion-in-september/

Over 211,000 Sri Lankan workers depart for foreign employment in first 9 months
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) states that 211,666 Sri Lankan migrant workers have departed for foreign employment during the first nine months of this year.
Source: (Ada Derana) https://adaderana.lk/news/cmuy0h59k000e356q1yny21fu

Night-time power shortage possible in early 2027
The Government expects El Niño to pose no major electricity supply risk during the daytime in the first three months of next year, but is preparing for possible night-time shortages by adding 540 megawatts (MW) of battery storage capacity to the national grid before April 2027, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/hFtmei7mJRlYqXwQVrEH


Consumer affairs: Essentials consume 58% of household income: study
Though household consumption in Sri Lanka has recovered, reaching Rs 9 trillion in 2025 and continuing to anchor 60% to 70% of real GDP, a newly released landmark study by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) reveals that approximately 0.4 million households have shifted down into lower-income classes (aspirers and strugglers) since 2020.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/QbEr0KvbXA3pACrLKjNU

Banks leaving large pool of consumer demand untapped: BCG
Sri Lanka’s banks are leaving a large pool of consumer demand untapped, with a new study finding credit concentrated among higher-income urban households and penetration low enough to leave substantial room for credit-led consumption growth.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Banks-leaving-large-pool-of-consumer-demand-untapped-BCG/44-798404

Middle class slips as 0.4 m households move down income ladder: BCG
Sri Lanka’s record recovery in consumption has come alongside a downward shift in household incomes, with a new study showing that about 0.4 million households have slipped out of the middle class since 2020 even as average incomes rose in nominal terms.
Source: (Daily Ft) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Middle-class-slips-as-0-4-m-households-move-down-income-ladder-BCG/44-798403

Foreign investors buy Sri Lanka rupee bonds after selling for two weeks
Foreign investors bought Sri Lanka rupee bonds for the first time in three weeks in the week ended on October 01, Central Bank data showed, amid a stable rupee.
Source: (economynext)https://economynext.com/foreign-investors-buy-sri-lanka-rupee-bonds-after-selling-for-two-weeks-286011/

Sri Lanka rupee closes at 330.95/331.00 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady
Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 330.95/331.00 to the US dollar in the spot market on Thursday, from 330.90/331.00 the previous day, while bond yields closed broadly steady, dealers said.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-closes-at-330-95-331-00-to-us-dollar-spot-bond-yields-steady-286004/

Sri Lanka stocks close down 1.38-pct; LMF crossing pushes turnover
Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Thursday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index falling 1.38 percent.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-close-down-1-38-pct-lmf-crossing-pushes-turnover-285990/

Seylan Bank crosses Rs.1tn in assets
Seylan Bank PLC yesterday announced its total assets surpassed Rs.1 trillion in September, making it the fourth private sector bank in Sri Lanka to reach that level.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Seylan-Bank-crosses-Rs-1tn-in-assets/273-352063

NDB Fraud: ‘Internal controls failed’: CBSL
The suspicious transactions which culminated in the Nation’s Development Bank (NDB) fraud of Rs 13.6 billion had not been detected as a concern among internal and external auditors and other higher-ups responsible for overseeing the bank’s governance, due to a lapse in internal controls, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said, speaking to the Committee on Public Finance.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/4odhbWlsCGiIPLFzd5HX

Ceylon Tea in decline as replanting slows, bushes age: World Bank
Sri Lanka’s most famous export is facing a long-term decline, with tea bush replanting running at just a fraction of the level required to keep estates productive, the World Bank said in its latest Sri Lanka Development Update October 2026, titled ‘From Recovery to Transformation’.
Source: (Daily Express) https://dailyexpress.lk/business/sri-lanka-business/36805/