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29/09/2026

Sri Lanka Daily Economic & Business Brief – 29 Sep 2026

Markets may have closed softer, but the larger story this morning is where money and policy support are flowing. Sri Lanka’s latest signals span household credit, fuel costs, port capacity and the next investment pipeline.

Gold-backed lending moves to the centre of credit growth

CBSL data reported by Daily FT show licensed commercial-bank pawning loans rose Rs. 211.9 billion, or 23.6%, in the first half of 2026 to Rs. 1.11 trillion. Gold-backed loans absorbed 18.6% of the Rs. 1.14 trillion in new private-sector credit and lifted their share of total bank lending to 9.9%, from 8.9% at end-2025. Personal lending plus credit to financial and business services accounted for 58% of new credit, against 39% for non-financial businesses—a useful signal for banks, treasury teams and investors assessing the breadth of the recovery.

Fuel subsidy plan tests the fiscal buffer

The Government’s proposed Rs. 41 billion fuel subsidy for the next three months is designed to limit pass-through from higher global oil prices. It is smaller than the roughly Rs. 57 billion spent from April to June, when the State absorbed Rs. 100 per litre for diesel and Rs. 20 for petrol. The Energy Minister said authorities are trying to keep diesel prices steady at the next revision expected Wednesday, making the outcome immediately relevant to transport, manufacturing and consumer-price planning.

Five to six global shipping lines eye an ECT partnership

Sri Lanka is exploring a shipping-line partnership for the state-owned East Container Terminal, with five to six major international operators reported to have expressed interest. Subject to Cabinet approval, an expression-of-interest process could support a transaction in the first half of 2027. The US$500–600 million terminal project is designed for 2.4–3 million TEUs of annual capacity, potentially lifting the Port of Colombo beyond 7 million TEUs and strengthening a hub where transshipment represents roughly 75%–80% of cargo.

Rupee and equities absorb a risk-off session

The rupee closed Monday at 330.90/331.05 to the US dollar as government-bond yields moved higher. On equities, the ASPI fell 0.39% to 20,955.56 and the S&P SL20 eased 0.29% to 5,923.44, while turnover was a modest Rs. 595.97 million. Brokers linked the subdued session to wider global disruptions; for finance teams and investors, the combination keeps currency exposure, funding costs and liquidity conditions in focus.

Malaysia outreach widens the investment pipeline

Sri Lanka presented Malaysian businesses with ready-to-invest projects spanning energy, tourism, manufacturing, real estate, shipping and logistics, agriculture and IT at a Kuala Lumpur networking event attended by more than 75 executives. The package included project locations, incentives, revenue models and NPV and IRR calculations, while Malaysian firms were invited to Sri Lanka Expo 2027 in Colombo from 14–17 January. The initiative broadens the pipeline for cross-border partnerships, though individual projects will still turn on due diligence and ex*****on.

Central Bank upgrades its information and cyber toolkit

CBSL has released the 49th edition of its annual socio-economic data folder, covering 14 areas from national accounts and prices to trade, public finance, money and banking. Separately, the Bank is recruiting a three-year Red Team Specialist to simulate real-world attacks, track ransomware and phishing activity, and strengthen proactive threat intelligence. For finance professionals, the two moves improve access to reference data while underscoring the growing operational importance of cyber resilience.

Finc Academy & Consultants helps professionals turn fast-moving economic information into sharper financial and business decisions. Follow us for the next briefing, and contact our team for practical training, advisory and finance-focused learning.

Photograph Credit: Port of Colombo from Lotus Tower — Mohamed Ansaf / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

25/09/2026

Sri Lanka Daily Economic & Business Brief – 25 Sep 2026

Sri Lanka closes the business week with a clearer energy-investment timetable, fiscal backing for electricity relief and fresh evidence of where export value can be built. The latest updates also signal near-term pressure on industrial margins and a cautious finish across currency, debt and equity markets.

Offshore licensing gets a defined timetable

Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament that bidding for four Mannar Basin blocks covering nearly 34,000 square kilometres will remain open until February or March 2027. Evaluation and negotiations are expected to continue through 2027, with licences targeted from October and the process due to conclude by year-end. Commercial production is targeted for 2032, but remains dependent on seismic work and drilling confirming recoverable resources. For prospective investors, the timetable improves visibility while underlining that any supply and revenue gains are still exploration-dependent.

Parliament backs Rs. 17.2 billion in electricity relief

Parliament has approved Supplementary Estimate No. 05 of 2026 under the Ministry of Energy, allocating Rs. 17.213 billion to provide electricity-related relief to the public. The approval establishes the fiscal provision for the measure; the eventual benefit for households and businesses will depend on how the relief is implemented and reflected in electricity costs.

Agribusiness offers a higher-value export route

An Institute of Policy Studies study estimates that primary agriculture accounts for 8.3% of GDP, while the wider agrifood sector contributes 24.5% of GDP and 42% of employment. Its input-output analysis finds that every US$1 of final demand in food and beverage manufacturing generates US$1.85 in total output, compared with US$1.20 in primary agriculture. Cinnamon, other spices, coconut products, processed fruit and vegetables, seafood and tea were identified as high-potential clusters. The findings strengthen the commercial case for processing, product development and export standards, while also highlighting policy uncertainty, complex tariffs and weak research investment as constraints.

Retail and healthcare prepare for 2D barcodes

GS1 Lanka is working with retailers and healthcare businesses ahead of the global Sunrise 2027 initiative, which aims for checkout systems to read QR and Data Matrix codes alongside traditional barcodes by the end of 2027. More than 5,500 member companies are registered on GS1 platforms, with over 20,000 product records uploaded. This is a practical readiness issue for brands: packaging, point-of-sale systems and product-data governance will need to support richer traceability, verification and consumer information.

CEAT Kelani holds its rating as costs test margins

Fitch Ratings affirmed CEAT Kelani Holdings at AA+(lka) with a Stable Outlook, citing market leadership, low leverage and sound liquidity. Fitch nevertheless expects the company’s gross margin to fall below 20% in FY27 from 24% in FY26, with the EBITDA margin projected at 9.5%, as energy, material and conversion costs rise amid import competition. Planned growth capital expenditure of Rs. 2.5 billion in FY27 and Rs. 1.5 billion in FY28 shows that investment is continuing despite the tougher near-term operating environment.

Markets end Thursday on a cautious footing

The rupee closed at Rs. 330.30/55 to the US dollar, weaker than Rs. 329.50/75 a day earlier, while several government-bond yields ended steady to higher. The ASPI slipped 0.09% to 21,066.89 on turnover of Rs. 1.31 billion. Separately, the debt office sold an additional Rs. 6 billion in Treasury bills on tap—at 9.37% for six months and 9.93% for twelve months—taking the week’s total bill issuance to Rs. 66 billion. Together, the moves reflect a measured, selective close across foreign exchange, equities and short-term government funding.

For practical insight on Sri Lanka’s economic, financial and business developments, follow Finc Academy & Consultants and join the conversation.

Photograph Credit: Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka publication cover, via EconomyNext (24 Sep 2026)

24/09/2026

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24/09/2026

Sri Lanka Daily Economic & Business Brief – 24 Sep 2026

Sri Lanka’s economic agenda is moving from crisis repair towards the harder work of sustaining confidence, attracting capital and broadening export growth. This morning’s signals combine a still-unfinished IMF review with a steadier funding outlook, firm monetary-policy guidance and stronger external-sector numbers.

IMF review remains open despite eleven quarters of growth

The IMF mission that ran from 10–23 September concluded without a staff-level agreement on Sri Lanka’s Seventh Review, although discussions are continuing with a near-term agreement in view. The Fund noted 4.2% growth in the second quarter and eleven consecutive quarters of expansion, reserves of US$6.9 billion at end-August, a well-capitalized and profitable banking system, and a strong first-half fiscal outturn. It also flagged the Middle East conflict, shifts in global trade policy and El Niño as downside risks. For businesses, the key policy tests remain a credible medium-term revenue strategy, cost-recovery energy pricing and exchange-rate flexibility.

Five per cent inflation target remains the preferred anchor

The IMF has recommended retaining Sri Lanka’s 5% inflation target and its current accountability band during the first statutory review of the framework. The existing target allows room to absorb food and energy volatility, while a lower target could be considered at a later review after the Central Bank builds a longer track record. The Governor has cautioned that moving immediately to 2% would require sharply tighter monetary policy and higher interest rates—an important consideration for credit conditions, investment and growth.

FDI reform must reach the permit desk

The IMF says Sri Lanka can raise foreign direct investment by simplifying business regulation, shortening licensing and permit processes, and addressing bottlenecks in infrastructure, labour rules and access to finance. A genuine one-stop approval mechanism would reduce project delays, while tax concessions should be narrowly targeted, transparent and rules-based rather than broadly distributed. The practical prize is a more predictable operating environment and a lower cost of entry for new investment.

A 2027 return to global capital markets stays in view

The IMF says its core assumption that Sri Lanka can regain international capital-market access around 2027 remains intact. That path depends on maintaining policy credibility, strengthening foreign-exchange buffers and diversifying funding beyond the domestic market; the current Extended Fund Facility runs through 20 March 2027. A successful return would matter not only for sovereign funding but also for the country risk benchmark faced by banks and larger corporates.

Exports clear US$12 billion as services widen the base

Sri Lanka’s total exports exceeded US$12 billion during January–August 2026, rising 4.26% from a year earlier. Merchandise exports increased 3.63% to US$9.41 billion, while services grew faster—up 6.59% to US$2.6 billion. In August alone, total exports reached US$1.601 billion, with services up 13.97% even as merchandise exports slipped 1%. The services performance, led by activities including ICT/BPM, construction, finance, transport and logistics, is steadily broadening the country’s foreign-exchange earnings base.

Markets hold a positive tone, but short bills reprice higher

The All Share Price Index added 0.15% to 21,085.15 on Wednesday and the S&P SL20 gained 0.49% to 5,957.90, though turnover was a modest Rs.1.32 billion. The rupee closed slightly weaker at 329.50/75 per US dollar while secondary-market bond yields generally eased. At the Treasury-bill auction, however, yields rose to 9.20% for three months, 9.37% for six months and 9.93% for twelve months, with the full Rs.60 billion offering sold. The combination points to improved post-rating sentiment alongside a modest increase in near-term government funding costs.

For practical interpretation of Sri Lanka’s policy, markets and business environment, follow Finc Academy & Consultants and join the conversation.

Photograph Credit: IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou at the 23 September media briefing | Upul Abayasekara/Daily FT

23/09/2026

Sri Lanka Daily Economic & Business Brief – 23 Sep 2026

Sri Lanka’s credit story moved forward as Fitch upgraded the sovereign rating, and markets responded within hours. Alongside that macro signal, fresh developments in cross-border investment, aviation infrastructure, electricity transmission and financial regulation carry practical implications for business leaders and investors.

Fitch lifts Sri Lanka to B− with a Stable Outlook

Fitch Ratings upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings to B− from CCC+ and assigned a Stable Outlook, citing macro-stabilization, structural reforms, sharper fiscal and external balances and modest reserve rebuilding. Fitch forecasts a 2.6% of GDP primary surplus in 2026, government debt easing to 92.9% of GDP from 96.7% in 2025, and reserves reaching US$7.7 billion by year-end. The upgrade improves the country’s risk signal, but Fitch still flags high debt-service burdens, thin external buffers and rising repayments after 2028.

Markets respond quickly to the sovereign upgrade

Tuesday’s ASPI reversed an early decline to close 0.36% higher at 21,054.01, while the S&P SL20 gained 0.70% to 5,950.53; turnover was Rs.1.37 billion. The rupee strengthened to 329.30/60 per US dollar from 330.75/90 and government-bond yields declined across several maturities. The same-day reaction shows how sovereign-credit news can move funding expectations, valuations and foreign-exchange sentiment even before it changes the real economy.

India–Sri Lanka investment desks aim to turn interest into transactions

Ambeon Capital has signed an MOU with India’s Sincere Syndication and Avyukthi Consulting to establish investment desks in Colombo and Chennai. The partners plan to support listed equities, private equity and credit, real estate, fixed income, M&A and business partnerships, while also developing a dedicated Sri Lanka fund linked to the Bharat Transformation Fund. No fund size has been announced, but the structure could create a more organized route for Indian institutional, family-office and high-net-worth capital into Sri Lankan companies.

US$40.84 million jet-fuel pipeline targets a critical airport bottleneck

Cabinet has approved a contract for China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company to build a 92,000-cubic-metre aviation-fuel storage complex at Muthurajawela and a dedicated pipeline to BIA’s refuelling terminal. The project is valued at US$40.84 million plus Rs.8.55 billion, inclusive of taxes. Replacing much of the present road-and-rail movement of jet fuel should improve supply security, reduce logistics costs and support higher flight frequencies at the country’s main international gateway.

Vidullanka–Skipper consortium leads Rs.5 billion grid tender

A consortium of Vidullanka and India’s Skipper has emerged as the lowest-cost bidder for a JICA-funded Rs.5 billion project to construct, install, test and commission 132 kV transmission lines for the CEB. The final award remains subject to technical evaluation and a formal Letter of Award, with an estimated 18-month implementation period. If secured, the contract would extend Vidullanka beyond power generation into high-voltage grid infrastructure, an area increasingly important as renewable capacity expands.

Court-backed asset freezes underline the cost of unlicensed finance

The Colombo High Court has confirmed and extended CBSL freezing orders covering six companies and their directors, preventing the disposal or transfer of assets while investigations continue. The Central Bank says two firms are being investigated under section 44 of the Finance Business Act and that four others carried on finance business and/or accepted deposits contrary to section 2. For depositors and businesses, the action reinforces the need to verify licensing and regulatory status before committing funds.

For clear, practical interpretation of Sri Lanka’s economic and business developments, follow Finc Academy & Consultants and join the conversation.

Photograph Credit: Ambeon Capital and Indian partners formalize cross-border investment cooperation | Credit: Daily FT (reproduced with due courtesy), 23 Sep 2026.

22/09/2026

Sri Lanka Daily Economic & Business Brief – 22 Sep 2026

Tuesday’s business picture is split between accelerating inflation and more selective capital flows, even as fresh initiatives target exports, clean energy and factory digitisation. These are the developments most relevant to Sri Lankan business owners, finance professionals and investors.

Inflation climbs to 8.1% as food pressure returns

Sri Lanka’s National Consumer Price Index rose 8.1% year on year in August, up from 7.2% in July. The index increased 0.2% month on month to 223.9; food inflation accelerated to 6.6% from 4.9%, while non-food inflation edged up to 9.3% from 9.2%. The broadening price pressure is relevant to wage planning, household demand and business costs, particularly after the recent period of fuel-price volatility.

Foreign bond selling breaks a 13-week buying run

Offshore investors sold a net Rs. 7.302 billion, or about US$22.5 million, of rupee government bonds in the week ended 18 September—the first net outflow in 14 weeks—after buying Rs. 92 billion across the preceding 13 weeks. Foreign holdings fell to Rs. 206.1 billion, although year-to-date inflows remained about Rs. 64.8 billion. With the rupee down 6.7% through 18 September, the reversal puts currency risk and the durability of foreign demand back in focus.

Softlogic Finance plans a Rs. 1 billion capital raise

Softlogic Finance plans to raise Rs. 1.002 billion through a rights issue of five new ordinary voting shares for every 12 held. The company proposes issuing 401,072,162 shares at Rs. 2.50 each to strengthen Tier 1 capital and expand lending, particularly vehicle finance. The transaction remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, making it a notable test of capital formation in the non-bank financial sector.

Ports and logistics move to the centre of the export plan

The Export Development Board and the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry have begun coordinating implementation of the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030, which targets exports of US$36 billion by 2030. Priorities include port and logistics infrastructure, trade facilitation, cargo connectivity and faster movement of exports. For exporters and freight-dependent businesses, ex*****on across agencies will be the measure of whether the strategy lowers friction and improves Sri Lanka’s competitiveness as a regional hub.

Food exporters gain a first national platform in Australia

Sri Lanka’s first national pavilion at Fine Food Australia brought 12 food-and-beverage companies—including established exporters and emerging SMEs—into a 90-square-metre showcase in Melbourne. The pavilion covered tea, cinnamon and spices, coconut products, processed foods, seafood, bakery and frozen products, and other value-added categories, while facilitating buyer and distributor meetings. The initiative gives smaller producers a practical route to test demand and build partnerships in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific market.

Resus adds 2 MW of solar capacity in Ampara

Resus Energy has commissioned a 2 MW solar plant in Damana, Ampara, with commercial operations beginning on 18 September. Developed by wholly owned Resus Eastern Solar, the facility is expected to supply about 3.5 GWh of clean electricity to the national grid each year. The project is modest in scale but adds another operating asset to Sri Lanka’s renewable-energy pipeline at a time when grid flexibility and new generation capacity remain central investment themes.

A new industrial-technology bet connects factories to AI

Surge has acquired a majority stake in IoT and embedded-systems company IDEA8 to launch Surge Robotics. The venture combines Surge’s software, cloud and AI capabilities with IDEA8’s sensor, edge-computing and industrial-IoT expertise, supported by a team of more than 40 professionals. Its initial focus—manufacturing, apparel, warehousing and logistics—covers predictive maintenance, production analytics, computer vision, asset tracking and factory automation, signalling fresh private-sector investment in productivity technology.

For practical analysis of Sri Lanka’s economy, finance and business environment, follow Finc Academy & Consultants and join the conversation.

Photograph Credit: Colombo Port, Sri Lanka | A.Savin, Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons (Free Art Licence).

21/09/2026

Sri Lanka Daily Economic & Business Brief – 21 Sep 2026

Sri Lanka begins the week with an economy that is expanding but has yet to fully recover its pre-pandemic output, while tourism, energy and capital markets send more mixed signals. Here are the developments most relevant to business owners, finance professionals and investors.

Recovery continues, but output has not fully reclaimed 2019 ground

Real GDP grew 4.2% year on year in the second quarter of 2026 to Rs. 3.03 trillion at constant 2015 prices. That was still about 1.2%, or Rs. 37 billion, below the Rs. 3.07 trillion recorded in the same quarter of 2019. The apparent 17.1% fall from the first quarter largely reflects Sri Lanka’s recurring seasonal pattern—the comparable drop in 2025 was 16.3%—so the year-on-year reading remains the more useful measure of momentum. The figures point to a continuing recovery, but also show how little real output has advanced across seven turbulent years.

Tourism revenue turns upward—one month does not erase the gap

Tourism earnings rose 2.1% year on year in August to US$264.4 million, the first increase in ten months, even as monthly arrivals fell 3.3%. For January–August, however, earnings were down 10% at US$2.06 billion and arrivals were about 2% lower; August revenue also remained roughly 30% below the same month in 2018. The rebound is encouraging for hotels, travel operators and foreign-exchange inflows, but the gap between visitor volumes and earnings keeps attention on yield, source-market mix and the revised spending methodology.

October fuel-price pressure brings a subsidy decision into view

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said global prices and the existing formula point to a possible fuel-price increase from 1 October, while the Government is considering a subsidy to soften the burden. No revised pump prices or subsidy design were announced. The eventual decision will matter directly to transport, distribution and energy-intensive businesses, while any fiscal support will need to be weighed against budget discipline and the transparency of the pricing formula.

Battery storage becomes a live grid asset

Sri Lanka has connected its first grid-scale standalone battery energy storage system: a 10 MW/40 MWh facility in Anuradhapura developed by WindForce and Vidullanka through StoreX. It is the first of 13 facilities that will together provide 130 MW/520 MWh. A 5 MW floating solar plant was also commissioned, with expected annual output of about 9 GWh—equivalent to the electricity use of around 10,000 households. The Government’s wider battery-storage pipeline approaches 960 MW by the end of 2027, aimed at shifting surplus daytime solar generation to the evening peak and reducing costly fossil-fuel generation.

Spices sector sets a US$1 billion ambition around value addition

The Spices and Allied Products Producers’ and Traders’ Association wants the industry to reach US$1 billion in export revenue, but says commodity trading alone cannot deliver it. Its priorities include stronger traceability and testing, branded products, modern processing and financing suited to agricultural trade; IFC separately highlighted AI applications in demand forecasting, logistics, crop monitoring and regulatory documentation. The opportunity is especially relevant to SMEs: higher value per kilogram and better compliance can widen market access without relying only on larger harvest volumes.

India extends support for the northern passenger-ferry link

India has committed another Rs. 300 million in viability-gap funding for the Nagapattinam–Kankesanthurai passenger ferry, the third consecutive year of support since services resumed in August 2024. Around 52,000 passengers have used the route, while future plans include rehabilitating Kankesanthurai Harbour under US$65 million in Indian grant assistance and exploring additional services. Sustained northern maritime connectivity could deepen tourism, small-business trade and regional links, provided passenger demand and port infrastructure support long-term commercial viability.

Corporate debt demand stays firm as equities finish a mixed week

The CSE has approved in principle People’s Leasing & Finance’s debenture issue of up to Rs. 10 billion. The five-year subordinated instrument carries a 13.75% annual fixed rate and is intended to strengthen Tier 2 capital; subscriptions are scheduled to open on Wednesday. Separately, Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings received Rs. 5.65 billion of applications for its Rs. 5 billion maximum issue, an oversubscription of about 13%. In equities, the ASPI edged up 0.16% on Friday to 21,056.26 but ended the week 326.48 points lower, while turnover was Rs. 1.34 billion. Together, the signals show selective demand for fixed-income instruments alongside a cautious equity market.

Follow Finc Academy & Consultants for clear, practical updates on Sri Lanka’s economy, finance, investment and business environment.

Photograph Credit: Nagapattinam–Kankesanthurai passenger ferry | Credit: EconomyNext, 18 Sep 2026.

18/09/2026

Sri Lanka Daily Economic & Business Brief – 18 Sep 2026

Sri Lanka closes the week with the IMF testing the balance between macroeconomic stability and social protection, while businesses face a near-term compliance deadline and a mixed set of sector signals. Here are the developments most relevant to business owners, finance professionals and investors.

IMF review puts welfare delivery alongside fiscal stability

An IMF delegation led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou is in Colombo from 10–23 September for the seventh review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility and the 2026 Article IV consultation. In its meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Fund reviewed progress on social-welfare schemes—a key program deliverable—while commending recent fiscal discipline, higher revenue and foreign investment. The President cited second-quarter growth of 4.2%, and both sides discussed the burden of higher energy costs. For businesses and finance teams, the review will be an important test of how the Government sustains reform credibility while protecting household demand.

Compliance pressure sharpens ahead of the FATF evaluation

The UN has cautioned that blanket anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing restrictions on non-profits could work against the risk-based approach expected by FATF. A 2025 survey cited in the Sri Lanka Civil Society FATF Shadow Report found that 69% of 102 non-profits had difficulty receiving foreign funds, nearly half struggled to open bank accounts and only 17% reported no issues. Separately, the Registrar General has given companies until 30 September to submit beneficial-ownership information under the Companies (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2025; non-compliance can lead to administrative penalties and, upon conviction, a fine of up to Rs. 1 million, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both. Directors, company secretaries and financial institutions therefore have an immediate documentation task, alongside the wider need for proportionate, evidence-based controls.

Services accelerate as factory momentum eases

The Central Bank’s Services PMI rose to 65.6 in August from 61.4 in July, driven by transportation, wholesale and retail trade, and professional services; employment also increased. Manufacturing remained in expansion territory but slowed to 53.0 from 55.0, with production falling below the neutral threshold at 48.4 and new orders holding at 50.0. Manufacturing employment improved to 54.8, while businesses continued to build inventories ahead of year-end seasonal production. The split suggests stronger near-term momentum in services than in factory output, an important distinction for sales forecasts, staffing and working-capital planning.

Four Mannar Basin blocks move to international licensing

Sri Lanka’s Ministerial Consultative Committee on Energy Affairs has endorsed the 2026 petroleum-exploration licensing round for four offshore blocks covering nearly 34,000 square kilometres in the Mannar Basin. The acreage was opened internationally on 25 August under the Petroleum Resources Act, with bids due in early 2027 and commercial production targeted for 2032 if viable reserves are confirmed. The initiative reopens a long-standing investment opportunity, but its eventual value will depend on exploration results, deep-water economics, regulatory ex*****on and the development of supporting gas infrastructure.

LB Finance establishes its first overseas subsidiary

LB Finance PLC has completed the incorporation of LB Finance Philippines Inc., its first overseas subsidiary. The company said it received the Certificate of Incorporation and authority to operate as a finance company on 17 September; both documents are dated 1 September 2026. The move takes a Sri Lankan non-bank financial institution into a new regional market and will place ex*****on, governance and regulatory integration at the centre of its next phase of growth.

Rupee firms modestly as equities end lower

The rupee closed at Rs. 331.50/90 to the US dollar in the spot market on Thursday, firmer than its opening level of Rs. 332.00/40, while several government-bond yields eased. At the Colombo Stock Exchange, the All Share Price Index fell 0.47% to 21,033.11 and the S&P SL20 declined 0.30% to 5,929.45. Turnover was Rs. 1.33 billion, led by capital goods, with food, beverage and to***co and banks following. The closing mix reflects a steadier currency and bond market alongside cautious equity positioning at the end of the week.

Follow Finc Academy & Consultants for clear, practical updates on Sri Lanka’s economy, finance, investment and business environment.

Photograph Credit: IMF representatives meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake | Credit: Daily FT (reproduced with due courtesy), 18 Sep 2026.

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