Sri Lanka’s external sector showed a mixed performance in the month of December 2015 with a widened trade deficit, continued high growth in tourist earnings and moderate workers’ remittances. On a cumulative basis, the trade deficit widened marginally during 2015, while earnings from tourism increased significantly. Meanwhile, workers’ remittances recorded a marginal decline in 2015. The major source of inflows to the financial account of the BOP during 2015 were the issuance of two international sovereign bonds and swap arrangement of the Reserve Bank of India.

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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka held its 11th International Research Conference on 07 December 2018 at the John Exter International Conference Hall. This conference is held annually, with the objective of promoting theoretical and empirical research in fields related to contemporary macroeconomic policy, providing an opportunity for researchers from diverse backgrounds to share their findings and experiences. This year’s conference was held under the theme of “Inflation Targeting and Central Bank Independence, Accountability and Transparency”.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka hosted the 54th SEACEN Governors’ Conference / High-Level Seminar and the 38th Meeting of the SEACEN Board of Governors in Colombo from 29 November to 02 December 2018. These events were attended by Governors and delegates of SEACEN member Central Banks and Monetary Authorities. The Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa, attended the Conference as the Keynote Speaker.

The SEACEN Centre plays a leading role in promoting greater understanding in financial, monetary and banking matters in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1982, The SEACEN Centre serves central banks and monetary authorities in Asia-Pacific through learning programmes, research work, and networking.

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 1.7 per cent in February 2016 from -0.7 per cent in January 2016, on year-on-year basis. The main contributor towards the increase in year-on-year inflation was the Non-food category, with substantial increases observed in Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco; Clothing and Footwear; Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance; Heath; Transport and Miscellaneous Goods and Services sub categories, which surpassed the overall price decline observed in the food category in the NCPI.

The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis decreased to 2.6 per cent in February 2016 from 2.9 per cent recorded in January 2016.