Business
Sri Lanka foreign currency debt obligations due between now and 2026 amount to about US$ 29bn
External liquidity pressures have eased somewhat in recent months
Planned IMF SDR allocation would also add US$780 million to reserves
Authorities have yet to specify foreign-currency debt-servicing plans for the medium term
Sri Lanka’s ‘CCC’ rating reflects a challenging foreign-currency sovereign external debt repayment burden over the medium term, low foreign-exchange reserves and high and rising government debt that give rise to sustainability risks, Fitch Ratings said on Monday.
External liquidity pressures have eased somewhat in recent months following bilateral loan disbursements, and our expectation of a forthcoming IMF special drawing rights (SDR) allocation. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka’s medium-term debt service challenges are substantial and pose risks to the sovereign’s debt repayment capacity, in Fitch’s view. A total of about USD 29 billion in foreign-currency debt obligations are due between now and 2026, against foreign-exchange reserves of USD4.5 billion as of end-April 2021, Fitch said.
The report further said: The authorities have recently secured project financing through various multilateral and bilateral channels, including the Asian Development Bank (AAA/Stable), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AAA/Stable), China Development Bank (A+/Stable) and The Export-Import Bank of Korea (AA-/Stable), as well as swap facilities under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) currency framework and the People’s Bank of China, equivalent to USD400 million and USD1.5 billion, respectively. The planned IMF SDR allocation would also add USD780 million to reserves. These resources should enable Sri Lanka to meet its remaining debt maturities through the rest of this year, including a USD1 billion International Sovereign Bond maturing in July. However, the authorities have yet to specify their plans for meeting the country’s foreign-currency debt-servicing needs for 2022 and the medium term. They have consistently indicated that they do not plan to seek programme financing from the IMF.
We project foreign-exchange reserves to remain at about USD 4.5 billion by end-2021 before declining to USD3.9 billion by end-2022. Under our baseline, the current account deficit is likely to widen to 2.8% in 2021 and narrow to 2.1% of GDP in 2022. Our forecasts assume remittances will remain resilient in 2021-2022 and tourism is likely to recover only from 2022.
Sri Lanka’s economy contracted by 3.6% in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. We project growth of 3.8% in 2021, down from an earlier forecast of 4.9%, in light of a recent surge in virus cases. We expect the economy to grow by 3.9% in 2022. There remains a high degree of uncertainty associated with our forecasts in light of the evolution of new Covid-19 cases in the country. The authorities plan to inoculate 60% of the population by end-2021, but this target could be hampered by vaccine supply shortages.
Travel and tourism, an important driver of the economy, have been hit hard and the outlook for recovery remains uncertain, particularly given the recent surge in virus cases. The direct contribution of tourism to pre-pandemic GDP was about 4%, but the indirect contribution was much higher. Tourist arrivals in the first five months of 2021 were 97% lower than the same period last year.
The general government deficit widened to 11.1% of GDP in 2020, from 9.6% in 2019, as the economic contraction led to a sharp fall in fiscal revenue. We expect the deficit to remain elevated in 2021 and 2022 at 11.1% and 10.4%, respectively. Our deficit projections are wider than those presented by the government under its growth-oriented strategy of 9.4% and 7.5%, respectively. Under our forecasts, the revenue-to-GDP ratio in 2021 would rise to 10.9% in 2021 and 11.1% in 2022, compared with the authorities’ projections of 11.9% and 13.0%, respectively.
The government’s fiscal consolidation strategy is based on a planned acceleration in GDP growth, underpinned by tax cuts, as opposed to direct revenue-raising or expenditure measures, albeit supported by planned improvements in tax administration. The interest-to-revenue ratio remains high, at around 71% as of 2020, well above the ‘CCC’ median of 13%. The government expects to achieve primary surpluses from 2023, supported by annual GDP growth of 6%, which appear optimistic in our view as we anticipate growth that is closer to 4%, still above the pace in the immediate pre-pandemic period.
General government debt reached 101% of GDP by end-2020, broadly in line with our forecast at our last review in November. Our baseline forecasts suggest this ratio will rise further to 108% by 2022. Fitch does not think the government will meet its 2025 targets of reducing government debt to 70% of GDP and narrowing the fiscal deficit to 4% of GDP.
Business
Janashakthi Life delivers 36% revenue growth, ‘outperforming the industry’
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)
Business
Hunas Holdings and CCH enter strategic collaborative partnership
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.
Business
Prime Minister to headline Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit session
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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