Sri Lanka’s balance of payments (BOP) remains in surplus in 2024, but it trails slightly behind the figures from 2023, according to official data. By June 2024, the country recorded a BOP surplus of $1.761 billion, compared to $1.957 billion in the same period the previous year. The surplus, reflecting an improvement in net international
Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves experienced a marginal decline, reaching $5.649 billion in July 2024, down from $5.654 billion in June, according to official data. In June, the central bank sold approximately $57 million in the interbank market following a surge in liquidity from strong dollar purchases and an increase in private credit. Data for
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) stringent focus on an arbitrarily set primary balance target in Sri Lanka’s budget is exacerbating the country’s debt situation, warns an economic analyst. IMF Staff Mission Chief Peter Breuer emphasized the importance of achieving a 2.3 percent primary balance target of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in his recent review statement.
Sri Lanka’s central bank has absorbed Rs. 546 billion of domestic money out of the Rs. 578.5 billion created from foreign exchange purchases in the six months leading up to June 2024, according to official data. The central bank generated Rs. 538.1 billion from forex purchases and an additional Rs. 40.4 billion net from buying
Sri Lanka is poised to achieve close to 4% economic growth by the end of 2024, continuing its positive momentum, according to Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. Speaking at an event organized by CMA Sri Lanka last week, Weerasinghe highlighted that all leading indicators suggest sustained positive growth in the second quarter and throughout
Sri Lanka’s consumer prices in the capital Colombo increased by 2.4% in the 12 months to July 2024. However, the central bank’s deflationary policy, which began impacting the balance of payments in September 2022, has only resulted in a 2.8% rise over the past 22 months. In July, the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell
The Central Bank has reduced its key policy rates by 25 basis points, bringing the Standing Lending and Deposit Facility rates to 9.25% and 8.25%, respectively. This adjustment, while largely symbolic, underscores the Bank’s commitment to an easing monetary policy. Since shifting to a more relaxed policy stance in June 2023, the Central Bank has
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has announced a reduction in both the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 25 basis points each. Effective July 22, 2024, the new rates are 8.25% for the SDFR and 9.25% for the SLFR. This decision follows
On Wednesday, the Colombo Stock Exchange experienced a slight uptick following the central bank’s policy rate cut earlier in the day. The All Share Index (ASPI) rose by 0.90%, or 104.45 points, to close at 11,701, while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index increased by 1.35%, or 45.40 points, ending at 3,414. Despite the positive
Sri Lanka’s credit to the private sector has expanded by Rs. 146 billion in the first half of 2024, with a notable increase of Rs. 74 billion in June alone, according to data from the Central Bank. This represents a 2% expansion in private credit for the first half of the year, which is lower