Sri Lanka’s rupee is expected to remain stable on a ‘very comfortable terrain’ in the coming years, with gross foreign exchange reserves forecast to exceed US $12 billion before capital repayments to creditors begin in 2029, according to the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) Chief and Standard Chartered Sri Lanka CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri. Despite potential
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns about the elevated uncertainty surrounding the global economic outlook, citing the potential impact of elections and policy changes. In its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, titled “Policy Pivot, Rising Threats,” the IMF noted that nearly half of the world’s population is either going to the polls
Fitch Ratings announced that Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery, combined with moderating inflation and lower interest rates, is set to drive the growth of finance and leasing companies (FLCs) in the financial year ending March 2025 (FY25). The positive outlook is also supported by the potential relaxation of vehicle import restrictions, which have been in
Since Sri Lanka’s selective default in April 2022, the country’s banking system, including the central bank and commercial banks, has repaid or built reserves amounting to 7.39 billion US dollars. This period marked a pivotal shift in policy as interest rates were hiked to end the inflationary policies that had previously kept rates artificially low.
Foreign investment in Sri Lanka’s government securities surged last week, with Central Bank data revealing a 15.7 percent increase in foreign holdings. The rise, amounting to 6.9 billion rupees ($23.4 million at an exchange rate of 1 US dollar = 295 LKR), brought the total foreign holding in Sri Lanka’s Treasury bills and bonds to
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stirred political discussions around dedollarization in Sri Lanka through a report on liquidity operations and monetary policy. Despite no public demand to undermine foreign currency deposits, the IMF has recommended introducing statutory reserve requirements (SRR) for foreign exchange liabilities as part of a broader agenda to promote Sri Lanka’s
Sri Lanka’s gross foreign exchange inflows exceeded imports by $757 million in August 2024, according to data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The total inflows for August stood at $2.411 billion, while imports were recorded at $1.654 billion. These inflows included $1.224 billion from merchandise exports, the highest since August 2022, $577.5
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) anticipates that deflationary trends will continue in the coming months before inflation gradually aligns with the medium-term target of 5.0 percent. Administratively determined price cuts and improved supply conditions are expected to keep consumer prices under downward pressure. In September, Sri Lanka experienced its first dip in consumer
Sri Lanka’s central bank announced that it would maintain policy interest rates between 8.25% and 9.25%, citing the likelihood of deflation in the near term due to easing supply conditions and adjustments to administratively controlled prices. “The Board observed that inflation is likely to remain well below the 5% target over the next few quarters,
In August 2024, Sri Lanka’s national consumer prices eased to 1.1% year-on-year, down from 2.5% in July. This significant deceleration was driven primarily by declining food prices and reduced electricity tariffs, offering financial relief to consumers. On a month-to-month basis, consumer prices fell by 1.4% in August, accelerating from the 0.6% decline recorded in July.