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Friday October 16th, 2026

GuarantCo to back more rupee debt issuance in Sri Lanka

ECONOMYNEXT – GuarantCo Limited, a firm backed by Australia and European governments to support infrastructure and domestic currency financing in frontier markets, is eyeing more business in Sri Lanka, an official has said.

The firm could help Sri Lankan firms tap up to $150 million in long-term financing, Chief Investment Officer Lasitha Perera was quoted as saying at a business forum in Colombo organized by Sri Lanka-based First Capital investment banking group and several development financing agencies.

The firm was was looking at a waste-to-energy project, a cement plant and a sewage unit for a local authority in Sri Lanka.

GuarantCo guaranteed its first Rs1.4 billion (about $10 million) corporate debenture for Soflogic Finance, enhancing the credit of its corporate debt to AAA and reducing borrowing costs in a deal structured by First Capital, a statement said.

GuarantCo was looking to help private firms sell rupee debt up to 10 years, and make domestic debt more attractive to foreign buyers.

It could also help with forex swaps.

Perera said the firm could do business of up to $150 million in Sri Lanka. (Colombo/Aug05/2016)

 

Sri Lanka rupee at 331.15/25 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted flat at 331.15/25 to the US dollar in the spot market on Friday, while bond yields were steady, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2028 was quoted flat at 10.60/70 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2029 was quoted at 10.95/11.05 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 was quoted at 11.41/45 percent, up from 11.40/45 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.12.2031 was quoted at 11.65/73 percent, up from 11.65/70 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted at 11.75/90 percent, up from 11.75/85 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.01.2033 was quoted at 11.85/95 percent, up from 11.95/12.00 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2034 was quoted flat at 12.20/30 percent.

The telegraphic transfer rate for the dollar was 326.70 buying, 335.70 selling; the euro was 363.6850 buying, 377.4658 selling; pound was 432.5942 buying, 446.7026 selling.

On the Colombo Stock Exchange the All Share Price Index was up 0.56 percent, or 111.97 points, at 20,083; while the S&P SL20 was up 0.63 percent, 35.68 points, at 5,734. (Colombo/Oct16/2026)

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Sri Lanka services expands at slower rate in September 2026: PMI

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s services sector expanded at a slower rate in September 2026, according to a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank, which registered an index value of 60.5, compared to 65.6 the previous month.

“Business Activity increased in September 2026, reflecting improvements across several sub-sectors, led by financial services, with notable contributions from education and professional services,” CBSL said.

New businesses increased in September 2026, registering 60.9 from August’s 60.0, due to the expansion in the financial services, with positive contributions from the insurance, education, professional, and other personal services sub-sectors.

Employment increased in September, “as firms across several sectors increased recruitment to meet operational needs and support business expansion”.

Backlogs of Work declined in the month, although at a slower rate compared to the previous month.

Broader global economic uncertainties continued to pose downside risks to the outlook, CBSL said. (Colombo/Oct15/2026)

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Sri Lanka manufacturing PMI steady at 53.0 in September, growth continues

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s manufacturing sector expanded at a steady rate in September 2026, registering a value of 53.0 on a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank, same as the previous month.

“This indicates that manufacturing activities continued to expand at a similar pace during the month,” CBSL said, noting the outlook remains positive, driven largely by optimism on year-end seasonal demand.

The New Orders sub-index expanded in the month, registering 51.0, attributed to positive developments in both the food and beverages and textiles and wearing apparel manufacturing sectors.

The Production sub-index also registered 51.0, for the same reason.

The Employment sub-index expanded at a slower pace, registering 52.6, from the previous 54.8.

The Stock of Purchases sub-index moderated towards the neutral threshold, “indicating broadly unchanged inventory levels during the month,” CBSL said.

Suppliers’ Delivery Times sub-index remained lengthened in September. (Colombo/Oct15/2026)

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Sri Lanka rupee closes at 331.15/25 to US dollar spot, bond yields steady

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed flat at 331.15/25 to the US dollar in the spot market on Thursday, while bond yields closed steady, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 closed flat at 11.35/40 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 closed at 11.40/45 percent, up from 11.37/43 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.02.2031 closed flat at 11.45/50 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed flat at 11.75/85 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.10.2034 closed at 12.20/30 percent, up from 12.12/20 percent. (Colombo/Oct15/2026)

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Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank to raise Rs10bn in debenture sale

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank plans to raise 10 billion rupees through the issuance of Basel III-compliant debentures, it said in a market filing.

Up to 100 million listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable 5-year (2026/ 2031) and 7-year (2026/ 2033) instruments will be offered at 100 rupees each.

The proposed instruments will carry a non-viability conversion feature, the company said.

Initially 70 million debentures will be issued, and another 30 million in the event of an oversubscription of the initial issue.

Fitch rates Sri Lanka Sampath Bank’s Rs10bn debenture issue A(lka)

The issue has received CSE approval.

The subscriptions list opens on October 20. (Colombo/Oct15/2026)

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Sri Lanka sells extra Rs7.2bn Treasury bills after auction

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has sold 7,206 million rupees of treasury bills offered on tap at average rates of 9.30 percent, 9.44 percent and 9.95 percent, the public debt management office said, bringing the total of bills sold in the week to 73.332 billion rupees.

Total market subscription was 7,206 million rupees.

The debt office sold a 3-month bill at 9.30 percent.

The debt office sold a 6-month bill at 9.44 percent.

The debt office sold a 12-month bill at 9.95 percent.

On Wednesday (14) the debt office raised 66.12 billion rupees of 3, 6 and 12 month bills after offering 90 billion.

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Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields rise on shorter term, less bills sold

The settlement date is October 16. (Colombo/Oct15/2026)

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