Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, increased to 5.0 per cent in October 2016 from 4.7 per cent in September 2016, on year-on-year basis. Both Food and Non-food categories contributed towards the year-on-year inflation in October 2016.
The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis increased to 4.0 per cent in October 2016 from 3.8 per cent in September 2016.
Provincial Gross Domestic Product (PGDP) for 2016 has been computed by the Statistics Department of Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), by disaggregating the nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS). In the estimation of PGDP for the provinces, the value of each line item in GDP is apportioned using relevant indicators at provincial level.
As envisaged, the growth of credit extended to the private sector by commercial banks decelerated considerably during September 2016, in response to monetary policy measures adopted by the Central Bank since end 2015. Accordingly, the year-on-year growth of private sector credit by commercial banks was recorded at 25.6 per cent in the month of September 2016 compared to 27.3 per cent in the previous month. Despite the deceleration in credit extended to the private sector, broad money (M2b) growth accelerated to 18.4 per cent, year-on-year, in September 2016 in comparison to 17.3 per cent recorded in the previous month, as borrowings by the public sector from commercial banks expanded during the month. In the meantime, rupee liquidity conditions in the domestic money market have returned to a balanced level, which will help stabilise market interest rates at current levels.
The Microfinance Act, No. 6 of 2016 was enacted with the objective of providing a regulatory framework to cover microfinance institutions that are not regulated at present. The purpose of the Act is to improve the delivery of financial services to low income persons and micro enterprises, increase financial inclusion, strengthen the soundness and systems of microfinance institutions, facilitate microfinance institutions to access wider sources of funding, promote consumer protection and promote a safe and stable financial system.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka with a view to ensuring a stronger and dynamic banking sector has increased the minimum capital requirements for licensed commercial banks (LCBs) and licensed specialised banks (LSBs). The capital considered for this purpose is largely represented by high quality capital, which has higher loss absorbing capacity.
Enhancing minimum capital requirement will support the implementation of Basel III framework in Sri Lanka to strengthen the resilience of banks, and may lead to consolidation in the banking sector. Accordingly, with immediate effect, new banks to be established or incorporated in Sri Lanka are required to meet following capital requirements:
The external sector recorded a modest performance during August 2016 amidst the widening of the trade deficit while inflows from tourism and workers’ remittances grew at a healthy rate. Although exports recorded a considerable growth during August 2016, imports also grew resulting in a widening of the trade deficit. However, earnings from tourism and workers’ remittances grew, cushioning the impact of the trade deficit. Meanwhile, inflows to the financial account were supported by foreign investments to the government securities market and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and long-term loan inflows to the government in August 2016.
Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS), increased to 8.6 per cent in September 2017 from 7.9 per cent in August 2017, on year-on-year basis. Both Food and Nonfood categories contributed towards the year-on-year inflation in September 2017.
The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis increased from 6.5 per cent in August 2017 to 6.8 per cent in September 2017.
The 9th International Research Conference of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was held on 2 December 2016 at the John Exter International Conference Hall of the Central Bank. The conference, organised by the Economic Research Department of the Central Bank, aims to stimulate research on contemporary themes while providing a forum for researchers of central banks, monetary authorities, universities and other research institutions to present recent theoretical and empirical work on issues relating to central banking and macroeconomic management. Since its inception in 2008, the International Research Conference has attracted scholars from across the globe and featured keynote addresses by eminent central bankers, academics and policy makers.
The Manufacturing Sector PMI was 58.4 in November with an increase of 1.9 index points compared to October 2016 indicating that the manufacturing activities expanded in November compared to October. This was mainly due to the higher pace in which Employment and Production sub-indices expanded during the month. The New Orders sub-index also increased during the month. The Stock of Purchases sub-index decelerated in November indicating a usage of stocks for the upcoming season while Suppliers’ Delivery Time lengthened. Overall data points to an expansion where all the sub-indices are above the neutral 50.0 threshold. The expectations for activities indicated an improvement for the next three months.
Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, increased marginally to 4.2 per cent in December 2016 from 4.1 per cent in November 2016, on year-on-year basis. Both
Food and Non-food categories contributed towards the year-on-year inflation in December 2016. The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis remained unchanged from last month at 4.0 per cent in December 2016.
