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Home Insights Financial & Economic Analysis — September 2026
Monthly Briefing

Financial & Economic Analysis — September 2026

Aaron Russell-Davison Editor · Managing Director, SRP International
Prepared by·SRP Research Designed by·SRP Studio Editor·Aaron Russell-Davison — Managing Director, SRP International Period·September 2026

Executive Summary

Equity Markets

The Colombo Stock Exchange declined in September 2026, with the ASPI falling by 2.46% MoM to 20,812.93 and the S&P SL20 declining by 1.92% MoM to 5,894.16, reversing August's modest gains. Investor sentiment weakened amid rising global oil prices and heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Inflation

Inflation remained stubbornly high in September, with CCPI headline inflation reported at 8.0% YoY. Food inflation edged up to 8.7% from 8.5% in August, while non-food inflation remained unchanged at 7.7%. These elevated price levels suggest continued pressure on household purchasing power and potential wage demands, complicating the balance between controlling inflation and supporting credit-led economic growth.

Exchange Rates

The Sri Lankan rupee weakened against the US dollar in September 2026, depreciating by approximately 0.86% MoM to close at LKR 330.83/USD, compared with LKR 328.01/USD at the end of August. The CBSL remained a net buyer of foreign currency, although purchases declined sharply to USD 64.2 million from USD 579 million in August.

Crude Oil Prices

Crude oil prices rose sharply month-on-month, with Brent crude increasing by approximately 8.4% to close at USD 98/bbl, compared with USD 90.45/bbl at the end of August. The increase reflected continued concerns over Middle Eastern supply disruptions and stalled US–Iran peace talks. Although regional crude exports recovered towards month-end, persistent fuel shortages and elevated shipping costs kept upward pressure on energy prices.

Tourist Arrivals

Sri Lanka recorded 158,557 tourist arrivals in September 2026, representing a marginal decline of approximately 0.26% YoY compared with 158,971 arrivals in September 2025. Cumulative tourist arrivals for January–September 2026 reached 1,693,679, compared with 1,725,494 during the same period last year, a decline of 1.8% YoY. Overall, September's performance was encouraging, coming close to last year's numbers despite regional disruption.

Market Statistics

Month EndingSeptember-2026August-2026Change (%)
All Share Price Index20,812.9321,338.69-2.46%
S&P 20 Index5,894.166,009.68-1.92%
Consumer Services (Hotels)486.45511.51-4.90%
Real Estates3,339.543,466.82-3.67%
Capital Goods (Industrial)2,202.372,282.23-3.50%
Food Bev & Tob (Plantations and Other)2,259.132,290.84-1.38%
Materials3,055.123,033.970.70%
Banks1,693.751,708.16-0.84%
Telecommunication Services3,566.743,658.59-2.51%
Market Capitalisation (SLRs. Bn)7,548.187,730.83-2.36%

International Markets

MarketSeptember-2026August-2026Change (%)
STI Index (Singapore)5,675.885,755.36-1.38%
DAX (Germany)25,199.1926,258.11-4.03%
Nikkei (Japan)66,753.7266,311.930.67%
FTSE 100 (UK)10,606.0010,824.26-2.02%
Dow Industrial (US)50,906.0553,185.90-4.29%

Exchange Rates

CurrencySeptember-2026August-2026Change (%)
Euro375.13380.23-1.34%
SNG$258.97257.630.52%
AUD230.42235.06-1.97%
GBP437.66444.30-1.49%
US$330.83328.010.86%

Quoted as LKR per unit of foreign currency; a higher figure indicates depreciation of the rupee.

Commodity Prices

CommoditySeptember-2026August-2026July-2026
Brent Crude $/bbl98.0090.4587.86
Gold $/Troy oz4,157.704,440.704,044.00
Tea $/Kg2.852.912.98
Rubber, TSR20 $/Kg2.412.242.14

Interest Rates

Rate typeSeptember-2026August-2026Change (%)
AWPR11.0410.950.82%
AWDR—7.52—
Treasury Bill Yield
3 Months9.159.150.00%
6 Months9.399.49-1.05%
12 Months9.899.850.41%
Treasury Bond Yield
5 Years11.3311.082.26%
10 Years12.0011.900.84%

AWDR = Commercial Bank Average Weighted Deposit Rate. AWPR = Commercial Bank Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate.

Inflation (Headline)

InflationSeptember-2026August-2026Change (%)
Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI)8.008.000.00%

Daily Indices

DayASPIS&P SL 20
Sep 1, 202621,318.315,986.45
Sep 2, 202621,325.645,983.50
Sep 3, 202621,395.115,995.25
Sep 4, 202621,620.446,058.92
Sep 7, 202621,635.036,066.55
Sep 8, 202621,542.236,054.52
Sep 9, 202621,466.006,033.87
Sep 10, 202621,372.456,003.92
Sep 11, 202621,398.536,002.46
Sep 14, 202621,310.475,994.33
Sep 15, 202621,262.135,976.67
Sep 16, 202621,133.415,947.29
Sep 17, 202621,033.115,924.96
Sep 18, 202621,062.475,928.89
Sep 21, 202620,980.555,909.45
Sep 22, 202621,116.295,928.86
Sep 23, 202621,097.465,947.50
Sep 24, 202621,066.895,942.78
Sep 25, 202621,064.445,940.72
Sep 28, 202620,955.565,920.72
Sep 29, 202620,847.265,896.40
Sep 30, 202620,812.935,894.16

Volume & Turnover

DayTurnoverVolume
Sep 1, 20262,321,714,204.9597,451,120.00
Sep 2, 20261,275,503,284.5550,864,148.00
Sep 3, 20262,446,471,907.55118,170,139.00
Sep 4, 20262,677,666,978.7079,019,334.00
Sep 7, 20262,133,612,564.5063,982,492.00
Sep 8, 20261,466,552,808.8068,141,131.00
Sep 9, 2026972,228,485.1543,107,601.00
Sep 10, 20261,450,893,734.9035,077,446.00
Sep 11, 20261,129,814,377.6057,726,999.00
Sep 14, 20261,545,986,568.3556,192,691.00
Sep 15, 20262,225,414,187.8555,813,840.00
Sep 16, 20261,628,895,670.9569,381,413.00
Sep 17, 20261,334,226,540.8055,395,433.00
Sep 18, 20261,335,587,633.3539,359,966.00
Sep 21, 2026750,331,888.4048,727,546.00
Sep 22, 20261,373,071,832.2058,432,105.00
Sep 23, 20261,323,769,359.4083,443,817.00
Sep 24, 20261,199,092,571.5037,816,299.00
Sep 25, 2026814,854,839.1526,455,802.00
Sep 28, 2026595,965,653.6532,117,063.00
Sep 29, 20261,010,194,783.2069,626,253.00
Sep 30, 20261,553,313,707.4058,840,967.00

Tea Auction Prices (USD)

Month20262025202420232022202120202019
Jan2.732.782.662.772.862.682.512.54
Feb2.702.692.712.702.792.562.362.38
Mar2.692.692.692.692.612.432.132.38
April2.832.913.032.963.242.672.362.65
May3.023.023.202.712.992.712.512.73
June2.972.993.222.692.962.702.842.56
July2.983.023.302.473.312.653.042.58
Aug2.913.043.222.833.372.723.152.63
Sep2.852.943.272.853.332.733.082.54
Oct3.013.152.763.152.783.002.58
Nov2.993.092.743.052.832.782.61
Dec2.882.962.712.952.822.652.57

Tourist Arrivals

Tourist Arrivals2026202520242023202220212020
January277,327252,761208,253102,54582,3271,682228,434
February279,328240,217218,350107,63996,5073,366207,507
March183,979229,298209,181125,495106,5004,58171,370
April135,643174,608148,867105,49862,9804,1680
May145,745132,919112,12883,30930,2071,4970
June124,551138,241113,470100,38832,8561,6140
July196,845200,244187,810143,03947,2932,4290
August191,704198,235164,609136,40537,7605,0400
September158,557158,971122,140111,93829,80213,5470
October165,193135,907109,19942,02622,7710
November212,906184,158151,49659,75944,2940
December258,928248,592210,35291,96189,506393

Cumulative arrivals for January–September 2026 reached 1,693,679, compared with 1,725,494 in the same period of 2025 — a decline of approximately 1.8% YoY.

Primary Deposit & Lending Rates

Period (Year Month)AWDRAWPR
Sep 2026—11.04
Aug 20267.5210.95
Jul 20267.3910.67
Jun 20267.2010.39
May 20266.959.90
Apr 20266.869.57
Mar 20266.839.28
Feb 20266.839.35
Jan 20266.818.88
Dec 20256.789.07
Nov 20256.778.64
Oct 20256.798.31

CCPI Year on Year (%)

Month (Year Month)HeadlineFoodNon Food
Sep 20268.008.707.70
Aug 20268.008.507.70
Jul 20267.306.307.80
Jun 20266.803.608.40
May 20265.500.907.80
Apr 20265.402.806.80
Mar 20262.200.702.90
Feb 20261.600.202.30
Jan 20262.303.301.80
Dec 20252.103.001.80
Nov 20252.103.001.70
Oct 20252.103.501.40
Sep 20251.502.900.70

External Sector

Values are in USD million.

Month (Year Month)Official ReservesWorkers' RemittancesEarnings from Tourism
Aug 20266,929.00748.60264.40
Jul 20266,600.00777.60285.50
Jun 20266,458.00695.00151.10
May 20266,881.00847.00155.70
Apr 20266,766.00767.90157.10
Mar 20267,026.00814.80223.70
Feb 20267,270.00729.00352.00
Jan 20266,832.00751.10378.30
Dec 20256,825.00879.10308.60
Nov 20256,034.00673.40251.60
Oct 20256,216.00712.00186.10
Sep 20256,244.00695.70182.90
Aug 20256,178.00680.80258.90
Month (Year Month)ExportsImportsFuel ImportsImport (Non Fuel)
Aug 20261,240.301,913.80450.601,463.20
Jul 20261,233.402,251.00453.101,797.90
Jun 20261,143.801,972.30464.701,507.60
May 20261,224.302,192.10536.001,656.10
Apr 20261,074.102,456.70886.201,570.50
Mar 20261,254.302,134.10630.101,504.00
Feb 20261,057.801,833.80398.001,435.80
Jan 20261,148.701,803.30253.501,549.80
Dec 20251,158.002,155.20390.101,765.10
Nov 20251,047.801,778.50333.301,445.20
Oct 20251,149.402,156.80357.801,799.00
Sep 20251,138.502,048.60440.701,607.90

This briefing is prepared by SRP Research for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. Figures are reproduced from the SRP International Financial & Economic Analysis for September 2026 (external-sector figures to August 2026) and are subject to revision.

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