The external sector of the Sri Lankan economy continued to strengthen in March 2025, with the highest monthly current account surplus recorded since the commencement of compiling monthly current account statistics in January 2023.
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External Sector Performance – March 2025
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CCPI in April 2025 signals a further easing of deflationary conditions
The easing of deflationary conditions that commenced in March 2025 continued into April 2025, in line with the Central Bank’s near-term projections. Accordingly, headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100), recorded a slower pace of deflation at 2.0% in April 2025 compared to the deflation of 2.6% recorded in March 2025.
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Sri Lanka PMI - Construction indicates an expansion in March 2025
Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Construction (PMI - Construction), as reflected by the Total Activity Index, recorded a value of 54.3 in March 2025. Most of the survey respondents reported a continued expansion in construction work during the month, mainly attributed to the conducive environment with stable prices and favourable weather conditions.
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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Releases the Publication on Financial Statements and Operations for the Year 2024
The publication on the Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka 2024, a requirement under Section 99(2) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No 16 of 2023, was presented to His Excellency the President and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, by Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, today, 29 April 2025.
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CBSL Governor and Secretary to the Treasury represent Sri Lanka at the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR)
Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), and Mr. K M M Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury, participated in the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR), which was held in Washington DC on 23 April 2025 on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG).
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IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Fourth Review under the Extended Fund Facility with Sri Lanka
IMF staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the Fourth Review of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility. Once the review is approved by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will have access to about US$344 million in financing.
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Purchasing Managers’ Indices indicate notable expansions in both Manufacturing and Services activities in March 2025
Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Manufacturing (PMI – Manufacturing) reached 63.9 in March 2025, recording its highest value in four years. All sub-indices posted month-on-month expansions, reflecting a notable improvement in manufacturing activities, driven by the strong seasonal demand.
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IMF Staff Team Concludes Visit to Sri Lanka
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team had very productive discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities on economic performance and policies underpinning the Fourth Review under the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement.
Global uncertainty remains elevated and is contributing to financial market volatility. The government remains committed to program objectives and implementation is strong and commendable, but more time is needed to assess the implications for Sri Lanka of the external shock.
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Findings of the Systemic Risk Survey (SRS) conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released key findings of the SRS conducted for the first half of 2025.
The SRS quantifies and tracks, market participants’ views on risks to, and their confidence in, the stability of the Sri Lankan financial system. The sampling frame of the survey includes licensed banks, licensed Finance Companies, a Specialised Leasing Company, insurance companies, unit-trust managing companies, margin providers & underwriters, stock-brokering companies, licensed microfinance companies and rating agencies.
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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Releases the Annual Economic Review for the Year 2024
The publication under Section 80 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023 (CBA), namely, the Annual Economic Review 2024, was presented to His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, by Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, today (7 April 2025).