The US Federal Reserve has cut its interest rate by 50 basis points, bringing the target overnight rate to 4.75%-5.00%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that inflation and employment are now more balanced. “Inflation is much closer to our target, and we are increasingly confident that it is moving sustainably toward 2 percent,” Powell said
Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery program is showing positive results, according to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) spokesperson. The IMF’s next program review and discussions will take place after the formation of a new government following upcoming elections, spokesperson Julie Kozack stated. Kozack noted key economic improvements, including a revival in growth, declining inflation, better
Sri Lanka’s private sector credit expanded by Rs. 60 billion in July 2024, following a Rs. 74 billion rise in June, according to official data. Meanwhile, credit to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) decreased during the same period. In July, banks extended Rs. 82.7 billion in loans to the government, with much of this being interest roll-overs,
In a special session held on Tuesday, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), provided a comprehensive briefing to Members of Parliament on the measures taken to stabilise the country’s economy. This session, chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, was conducted in accordance with Section 80 (2) (a) of the
Sri Lanka’s headline inflation, measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100), dropped sharply to 0.5% in August 2024 from 2.4% in July 2024. This significant decline aligns with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) projections. Food inflation (Y-o-Y) decreased to 0.8% in August from 1.5% in July,
National consumer prices in Sri Lanka saw a slight increase in July, rising by 2.5% compared to the same month last year. This marks a modest uptick from the 2.4% increase observed in June, as the high base effects from the previous year began to dissipate. Despite this year-on-year rise, prices for many food and
Sri Lanka’s positive economic growth, seen in early 2024, is likely to continue, supported by low inflation and a stable exchange rate, according to Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe. In the first quarter of 2024, the country’s economy expanded by 5.3 percent, as estimated by the state statistics office. Speaking at an international forum organized
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
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
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