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Foreign debt restructuring: A breather for Sri Lanka to repair its low reserve buffers

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By Sanath Nanayakkare

Sri Lanka is currently negotiating with foreign creditors to reduce the country’s high share of foreign currency debt liabilities because it would give Sri Lanka a breather and space to rebuild its reserve buffers, a press conference at the Central Bank revealed.

In this exercise, Sri Lanka is looking to build USD 10 billion worth of foreign reserves while keeping to a maximum forex debt service target of 4.5% of GDP in 2027-2032, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said on August 24, 2023.

“We are negotiating to restructure our foreign debt because our forex reserves are not sufficient repay those loans as they are. The whole purpose of foreign debt restructuring is to avoid ending up in another economic crisis; otherwise there would have been no need for foreign debt restructuring,” the Governor explained.

He made these remarks during the Q&A session at the press conference held to enlighten on the newest monetary policy review of the Bank.

When our sister paper Divaina asked if the country could fall back into a crisis again by September- October 2023 when Sri Lanka begins to repay its suspended foreign loans, the Governor said that it is less likely to happen.

“Our core target post-foreign debt restructuring is to increase the foreign reserves. We are negotiating to restructure our foreign debt because our capacity and foreign exchange reserves are insufficient to make the debt repayments as they occur. Otherwise, there would have been no need for foreign debt restructuring,” he emphasized.

The Governor went on to say that a loan extension agreement with foreign creditors would help Sri Lanka to re-commence payments of the suspended foreign loans at a feasible level while accumulating foreign reserves.

“We hope to negotiate a maximum forex debt service target of 4.5% of GDP in 2027-2032 as the Finance Ministry has envisaged in its report ‘Debt service payments as a percentage of GDP’. Currently, this ratio is 9.4%. So we are asking to reduce it by a half. Thus if we can bring down foreign loan repayments of USD 6 billion down to USD 3 billion per annum, repaying that USD 3 billion won’t be unfeasible. Discussions are in progress to achieve this,” he said.

The Governor pointed out that Sri Lanka has consistently honoured repayment of loans obtained from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, and as foreign reserves position is getting better the country has started repaying loans taken from Bangladesh as well.

“Amid these positive developments, we are negotiating to extend the period of foreign debt in a manner the repayments are able to be sustained. That is why we are discussing a grace period, reduction of interest costs or a haircut in this regard. Once our foreign debt is restructured, new loans would flow in from the World Bank and the ADB, in addition to the assistance from the IMF. Further, Japan will start its projects and those loans will come in too. Receipts from Tourism and Exports with which we have managed so far are also there. So, in my view, re-commencing to pay foreign debt won’t have a big impact on the foreign reserves level as some have feared,” he said.

“This issue feared in some quarters is either without awareness or for some other reason would arise only if foreign reserves begin to dip after we have begun to repay foreign debt. The programme in 2027-2032 to manage our foreign currency debt liabilities at 4.5% of GDP should help us build our foreign reserves to 10 USD billion from its 3 billion. So, foreign debt restructuring will bring us two-fold relief. One is reducing the burden of foreign loan repayments and at the same time being able to accumulate our foreign reserves to make the economy stronger,” the Governor elucidated.

Restoring public debt sustainability is one of the key objectives of Sri Lanka’s IMF Program which requires policy actions and comprehensive debt treatment. There are several key pillars of Sri Lanka’s USD 3 bn IMF programme approved on 20 March 2023. They are namely: revenue-based fiscal consolidation, fiscal structural reforms, protect the poor and vulnerable, restore price stability and rebuild external buffers, safeguard financial system stability, growth-enhancing reforms, and last but not least, reducing corruption vulnerabilities.



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Janashakthi Life delivers 36% revenue growth, ‘outperforming the industry’

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Janashakthi Life, the flagship company of JXG (Janashakthi Group), delivered a strong first-half performance in 2026, with Gross Written Premiums (GWP) increasing by 36% year-on-year to Rs. 5.11 billion. The Company’s growth significantly outpaced the industry’s 20.8% growth during the period, reflecting continued demand for its life insurance solutions and progress in expanding its customer base and strengthening its market presence.

The Company’s balance sheet also continued to expand, with total assets increasing to Rs. 41.14 billion as at Q2 2026, compared to Rs. 40.37 billion at the end of 2025. The growth reflects the continued scale of the business and provides a stronger platform to serve an expanding policyholder base while investing in the capabilities required to support its next phase of growth.

During the first half, Janashakthi Life paid Rs. 2.24 billion in claims and benefits, reaffirming its commitment to supporting policyholders when it matters most. These payments provide essential financial support at critical moments in the lives of individuals and families, highlighting the vital role of life insurance in protecting their financial wellbeing and long-term security.

The Company remained profitable during the period, recording Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 271 million, excluding the surplus transfer for the period. With the declaration of the surplus transfer, profitability is expected to be substantially higher. Janashakthi Life remains focused on strengthening earnings quality, managing costs effectively, and translating business growth into sustained improvements in overall performance.

Annika Senanayake, Chairperson of Janashakthi Insurance PLC, said, “The performance in the first half reflects the strength of Janashakthi Life’s business and the opportunities that exist to further develop the life insurance market in Sri Lanka. We remain focused on building a business that combines sustainable growth with sound fundamentals, while making insurance more accessible to a wider segment of the population. As part of JXG, Janashakthi Life is well positioned to leverage the Group’s financial services ecosystem and continue strengthening its position in the market.”

Ravi Liyanage, Director/CEO of Janashakthi Insurance PLC, said, “The first half delivered strong growth across key areas of the business, with GWP increasing 36% to Rs. 5.11 billion. In all key segments, namely regular business, group life business and single premium business, the Company has outperformed the industry significantly, demonstrating its market challenger behaviour. The Company is strengthening its stability, crossing LKR 41 billion in assets under management. Our focus now is on building on this momentum through stronger distribution, improved productivity and disciplined cost management, while continuing to enhance the customer experience by providing an unmatched service throughout the lifespan of the service contract.”

The first-half performance provides a strong platform for Janashakthi Life to build on its growth plans for the remainder of the year. The Company will continue to focus on expanding access to life insurance, strengthening customer relationships and developing solutions that respond to changing financial priorities.

With GWP growth significantly ahead of the industry, a growing asset base and increased claims and benefits delivered to policyholders, Janashakthi Life continues to build scale across its core operations. The Company remains focused on disciplined growth, stronger execution and improving the quality of its performance, with the objective of creating sustainable value for policyholders, shareholders and the wider business.

Further reinforcing its strong market standing, Janashakthi Life was recognised among Sri Lanka’s 50 Best Workplaces™ for 2026 by Great Place To Work® Sri Lanka and was also named among Brand Finance’s Sri Lanka 100 Most Valuable Brands. These recognitions reflect the Company’s continued focus on building a strong brand, delivering value to customers and creating a high-performing organisation. (JXG)

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Hunas Holdings and CCH enter strategic collaborative partnership

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(L-R): Dhanuka Samarasinghe (Chairman - Hunas Holdings PLC) Yoshihiko Tanabe, Director CCH

Major Japanese business group sees long-term potential in Hunas Holdings as the two organisations explore new opportunities for growth in Sri Lanka

Hunas Holdings PLC is entering a new phase of growth through a collaborative partnership with CCH Co., Ltd. (CCH INC.), a major Tokyo-based business group with experience across business process outsourcing (BPO), in-house services, investment, mergers and acquisitions, and business development.

The partnership follows a period in which Hunas Holdings maintained a measured approach to new investments amid volatile market conditions, focusing on identifying the right opportunities and international relationships capable of creating sustainable long-term value.

Founded in Japan in 2008, CCH has grown into a significant and diversified business group with interests across multiple industries. Its approach combines investment with M&A, business development and operational expertise, enabling the company to play an active role in the businesses and markets it enters.

For CCH, the partnership represents an opportunity to bring this experience to Sri Lanka through Hunas Holdings, an established local group with a strong platform and long-term growth ambitions.

Yoshihiko Tanabe, Director of CCH Co., Ltd., said: “Through our discussions with Hunas Holdings, we see a company with strong foundations, local expertise and a clear ambition for growth. We believe there is meaningful potential in bringing the strengths of CCH and Hunas Holdings together. I am excited about this partnership, and particularly about some of the projects and opportunities we are already exploring together. There is much to look forward to soon”

For Hunas Holdings, the collaboration marks a renewed chapter of investment and international partnership, while for CCH, it reflects confidence in Hunas Holdings and the opportunities presented by the Sri Lankan market.

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Prime Minister to headline Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit session

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Dr Harini Amarasuriya

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will deliver the keynote address at a special session on day 2 of the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, titled “Nation Building in the Digital Age”, on 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The session will examine how Sri Lanka can use artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation and education to accelerate economic growth, improve productivity and build a knowledge-driven economy. As technology reshapes industries and the nature of work, the discussion will focus on how Sri Lanka can develop the capabilities needed to remain competitive and create opportunities for future generations.

The Prime Minister will be joined by Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy; Prof. Roshan Ragel, Senior Lecturer in Computer Engineering, University of Peradeniya; and Sanjay Shah, Founder and CEO, Elevante AI, who together will add perspectives from government, academia, and industry. Vinod Hirdaramani, Chairman of Hirdaramani Group and Deputy Vice Chairperson of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will moderate the session.

The discussion will look at the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation, and their potential to transform industries and create new areas of economic activity. It will also consider the role of digitalisation in improving public services and supporting entrepreneurship.

Education and skills development will be another important part of the conversation, particularly as the demand for new capabilities grows alongside technological change. The panel will consider how Sri Lanka can prepare its workforce for future jobs while developing an environment that supports innovation and technology-led businesses.

The session will also look beyond technology itself to the wider conditions needed for a digital economy to grow. Policy, investment, infrastructure, education and collaboration between government, industry and academia will all have a role in determining how effectively Sri Lanka can turn technological change into economic opportunity.

Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will offer perspectives from senior policymakers, business leaders, investors and international experts over two days of discussions on Sri Lanka’s economic direction, investment opportunities and the reforms needed to support future growth.

Registrations are now open at https://sleis.chamber.lk/. For more information, contact Alikie on 011 558 8805 (alikie@chamber.lk) or Shanuka on 0701082541 (events.division@chamber.lk).

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