The external current account recorded a marginal surplus in March 2026, mainly supported by higher workers’ remittances and a lower primary income deficit, despite a widening of the trade deficit and a moderation in the services surplus compared to a year earlier. The cumulative current account surplus reached US$ 531 million during the first quarter of 2026.
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External Sector Performance - March 2026
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Sri Lanka PMI - Construction expanded in March 2026
The Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Construction (PMI – Construction), as reflected by the Total Activity Index, recorded a value of 57.1 in March 2026, indicating continued expansion in construction activities, albeit at a slower pace than the previous month. Many respondents reported a challenging operating environment, mainly due to limited availability of fuel and raw materials, rising costs, and logistical bottlenecks stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.
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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Releases the Publication on Financial Statements and Operations for the Year 2025
The publication on the Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka 2025, a requirement under Section 99(2) and 7 (1) (l) 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, 20 April 2026.
Note on the coverage:
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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Releases the Annual Economic Review for the Year 2025
The Annual Economic Review 2025, the publication in accordance with Section 80 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, 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 (20 April 2026).
Key highlights of the Annual Economic Review 2025 are given below:
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Update on National Development Bank PLC
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) continues to closely monitor on a day-to-day basis developments relating to National Development Bank PLC (NDB) following the disclosure of an internal fraud.
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SL Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – March 2026
Purchasing Managers’ Indices indicate expansions in both Manufacturing and Services activities in March 2026.
Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Manufacturing (PMI – Manufacturing) increased to 66.7 in March 2026, supported by heightened activity related to seasonal demand. However, many respondents reported a tight production environment, mainly attributed to raw material and fuel shortages, rising costs, and logistical constraints.
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National Development Bank PLC - Subsequent Update on Internal Fraud
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) wishes to inform the public that it has been closely monitoring developments relating to National Development Bank PLC (NDB) following the recent disclosure of an internal fraud.
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IMF Staff Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews under Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission team led by Mr. Evan Papageorgiou visited Sri Lanka from 26 March to 9 April 2026 for the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews under Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement.
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National Development Bank PLC - Internal Fraud
The National Development Bank PLC (NDB) has informed the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) that it has uncovered an internal fraud that could lead to a significant loss being incurred. CBSL has also been informed that no customer accounts or deposits have been affected by this fraud.
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External Sector Performance - February 2026
The external current account recorded a surplus in February 2026, extending the trend observed since November 2025, and recorded a cumulative surplus of US$ 487 million during January–February 2026.