SenFin Research – News Updates – 11 May 2026

Sri Lanka records stronger liquidity, revenue growth amid stable external sector
Sri Lanka’s economic indicators issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reflected mixed but generally stable trends during the week ending May 8, 2026, with improvements in banking sector liquidity, government revenue performance, and private sector credit growth, according to the latest weekly economic highlights.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/11/business/992435/sri-lanka-records-stronger-liquidity-revenue-growth-amid-stable-external-sector/

Private sector borrowings accelerate by Rs. 258 b in March, up 27.1% YoY to Rs. 10.7 t in 1Q
Private sector borrowings from the banking system accelerated sharply in March, with total outstanding credit increasing by Rs. 258.4 billion month-on-month (M-o-M) to Rs. 10.7 trillion ahead of the festive season.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Private-sector-borrowings-accelerate-by-Rs-258-b-in-March-up-27-1-YoY-to-Rs-10-7-t-in-1Q/44-791702

Foreign reserves fall by US$ 295mn in April as war-driven oil shock pressures external sector
Sri Lanka’s foreign currency reserves fell by US$ 295 million in April, reflecting mounting pressure on the country’s external sector from higher oil import costs and slowing inflows from exports and tourism as the Iran war disrupted global trade and energy markets. Central Bank data showed foreign currency reserves declined to US$ 6.50 billion at end-April from US$ 6.80 billion a month earlier.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-main/Foreign-reserves-fall-by-US-295mn-in-April-as-war-driven-oil-shock-pressures-external-sector/245-339929

Remittances hold firm despite Iran war shock rippling through Mideast
Sri Lankan workers abroad continued to support the country’s fragile external sector in April, with remittance inflows remaining robust despite concerns that the escalating Iran war could disrupt labour markets across the Middle East, a key destination for Sri Lankan migrant workers.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Remittances-hold-firm-despite-Iran-war-shock-rippling-through-Mideast/273-339926

Climate finance: GSS+ bonds rally € 186 m since 2023: EU
Sri Lanka’s Green, Social, Sustainability, and Sustainability-Linked (GSS+) bond issuances have rallied € 186 million or Rs. 85 billion since 2023, in part with the financial support of the European Union (EU), the official website to the EU said on Thursday (7), in a statement on the EU-funded Green Recovery Facility.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/mBCLadE7nucXP0K5sxsM

Tourism: Arrivals surpass 900,000
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) reports that more than 900,000 tourists have visited Sri Lanka so far this year. According to the Authority, a total of 904,855 tourist arrivals were recorded between 1 January and 6 May.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/1JMLBsT8RgcvJ4PxJkYa

Fiscal position strengthens in Jan.-Feb. as Govt. records Rs. 545 b primary surplus
Sri Lanka’s fiscal position strengthened markedly in the first two months of 2026, with the Government recording a sharp expansion in the primary surplus and reversing the Budget deficit into a surplus position, according to latest data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Fiscal-position-strengthens-in-Jan-Feb-as-Govt-records-Rs-545-b-primary-surplus/44-791705

Sri Lanka’s CB becomes net US$ seller in April for first time in 22 months
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank became a net dollar seller for the first time in 22 months, the official data showed, after it had been buying the U.S. currency to build reserves to meet the targets the island nation agreed with the IMF.
Source: (economynext) https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-cb-becomes-net-us-seller-in-april-for-first-time-in-22-months-270769/

Bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam top US$ 324 Mn in 2025
Total bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam reached approximately US$324 million, representing growth of over 16%, and plans were in place to work towards achieving a bilateral trade target of US$1 billion by 2030 with a strong focus on diversifying the country’s products list, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya told the Sri Lanka–Viet Nam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum held in Colombo on Friday (8).
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/11/business/992423/bilateral-trade-between-sri-lanka-and-viet-nam-top-us-324-mn-in-2025/

Sri Lanka focuses on attracting high-quality tourism investments
Deputy Tourism Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said Sri Lanka is focusing on attracting high-quality tourism investments and internationally recognised hotel brands as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s hospitality sector and enhance long-term industry value.
Source: (Daily News) https://dailynews.lk/2026/05/11/business/992426/sri-lanka-focuses-on-attracting-high-quality-tourism-investments/

Indian dominance highlights early May tourist arrivals as focus shifts to Asia
Sri Lanka welcomed 28,578 tourists during the first six days of May 2026, with India leading the arrivals as the local tourism sector shifts its focus toward Asian markets to offset disruptions in European travel.
Source: (Daily Mirror) https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Indian-dominance-highlights-early-May-tourist-arrivals-as-focus-shifts-to-Asia/273-339928

ASPI surpasses 23,000 again
At the close of trading, the market indices reached the following levels: All Share Price Index (ASPI): Closed at 23,063.98, up 66.12 points (+0.29%); and S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index: Closed at 6,319.24, recording a gain of 26.98 points (+0.43%).
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/cv9xZ0ZyLSfVKRVZLem8

Cross-border payments: PayPal to be enabled from 15 May
In a major step forward for Sri Lanka’s digital economy and foreign exchange inflows, the Sri Lankan Government has decided to enable direct receipt of funds into Sri Lanka through PayPal, one of the world’s leading online payment platforms.
Source: (the morning) https://www.themorning.lk/articles/xEjjjRevwRjBjJC6qGaG

Colombo Port records 22% growth in container throughput in April
The Port of Colombo (POC) has recorded a significant increase in container handling volumes during the first four months of 2026.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Colombo-Port-records-22-growth-in-container-throughput-in-April/44-791703

Durga Infra raises Hatton Plantations stake to 12.5% with Rs. 262 m share purchase
Durga Infra Ltd., has increased its stake in Hatton Plantations PLC to 12.5% following the purchase of 10.25 million ordinary voting shares in the plantation company.
Source: (Daily FT) https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Durga-Infra-raises-Hatton-Plantations-stake-to-12-5-with-Rs-262-m-share-purchase/44-791699