• Measures to Encourage Offshore Borrowings by Private Sector

    The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), with a view of encouraging foreign currency inflows to the country, invites the private sector to pursue avenues to raise offshore funding leveraging on its strengths, with the consent of the Hon. Minister of Finance and in line with provisions of the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017 (FEA).

    In this regard, to hedge the foreign exchange risk of offshore borrowing, a zero cost swap facility would be made available by CBSL for the private sector borrowers of foreign currency for the duration of the said borrowing, which may be reviewed and renewed annually.

  • Concessionary Scheme for Businesses and Individuals Affected by the Third Wave of COVID-19

    Considering the difficulties faced by the borrowers of licensed banks due to the third wave of COVID- 19 pandemic, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has requested licensed commercial banks and licensed specialised banks (licensed banks) to provide concessions to affected borrowers as follows:

  • CCPI based Inflation increased to 4.5 per cent in May 2021

    Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2013=100), increased to 4.5 per cent in May 2021 from 3.9 per cent in April 2021. This was driven by monthly increases of prices of items in both Food and Non-food categories. Accordingly, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 9.9 per cent in May 2021 from 9.0 per cent in April 2021, while Non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 2.2 per cent in May 2021 from 1.8 per cent in April 2021.

    The CCPI, measured on an annual average basis, remained unchanged at 3.9 per cent in May 2021.

  • NCPI based Inflation increased in April 2021

    Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI, 2013=100), increased to 5.5 per cent in April 2021 from 5.1 per cent in March 2021. This was mainly due to the statistical effect of the low base prevailed in April 2020. Meanwhile, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 9.7 per cent in April 2021 from 8.8 per cent in March 2021 and Non-Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 2.2 per cent in April 2021 from 2.0 per cent in March 2021.

    The NCPI, measured on an annual average basis, remained unchanged at 5.3 per cent in April 2021.

  • Arrangements to Provide Services of Employees’ Provident Fund Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Remotely/ Regionally due to Travel Restrictions in the Country

    Arrangements have been made to provide the services of Employees' Provident Fund Department (EPF) by post, e-mail, internet or through the branches of commercial banks due to the travel restrictions imposed in the country without requiring the member to visit the head office in Colombo and regional offices of the Central Bank to obtain the respective services.

  • The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Continues its Accommodative Monetary Policy Stance to Support the Sustained Recovery of the Economy

    The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 19 May 2021, decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 4.50 per cent and 5.50 per cent, respectively. The Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering the macroeconomic conditions and expected developments on the domestic and global fronts. In the context of the prevailing low inflation environment and well anchored inflation expectations, and the renewed challenges posed by the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board remains committed to maintaining the current accommodative monetary policy stance to support the sustained revival of the economy.

  • Imposition of Penalties to Enforce Compliance on Financial Institutions during the First Quarter of 2021 by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

    By virtue of the powers vested under Section 19 (1) read together with section 19 (2) of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 06 of 2006 (FTRA), financial penalties are imposed on Institutions for non-compliance with the provisions of the FTRA. The penalty may be prescribed taking into consideration the nature and gravity of relevant non- compliance of the Financial Institution or the Designated Non-Finance Business.

    Accordingly, as the regulator for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in the country, the FIU imposed penalties, totaling to Rs. 4.0 million for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021 to enforce compliance on Financial Institutions.

  • External Sector Performance - March 2021

    Sri Lanka’s external sector showed a mixed performance in March 2021 with a widened trade deficit on the one hand, and a healthy growth in workers’ remittances and a slight pickup in the tourism sector on the other. The deficit in the trade account widened in March 2021, for the first time since April 2020. Both exports and imports were significantly higher in March 2021, compared to March 2020 as well as February 2021. However, workers’ remittances grew steadily, and the tourism sector continued the recovery process, albeit at a very slow pace. In the financial account, both foreign investment in the government securities market and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) continued to record marginal net outflows in March 2021 as well. The Sri Lankan rupee depreciated against the US dollar during the month, partly reflecting the seasonal demand for imports.

  • Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index - April 2021

    Purchasing Managers' Indices for both Manufacturing and Services activities contracted in April.

    Following the seasonal pattern, manufacturing PMI contracted to 44.3 in April 2021 with a decline of 22.7 index points from March 2021.

    Services PMI dropped to 48.9 in April 2021, reversing the growth momentum observed in the Services sector for four straight months.

  • Payment of Additional Compensation under the Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme to the depositors of Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFSP)

    The Central Bank of Sri Lanka wishes to inform the eligible depositors/relevant legal beneficiaries of eligible deposits of Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFSP) that the payment of additional compensation under the Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme will commence from 10.05.2021 onwards. Accordingly, the eligible depositors/relevant legal beneficiaries of eligible deposits can collect their claims from any People’s Bank branch commencing from 10.05.2021 by producing the relevant documents. The eligible depositors/beneficiaries are advised to avoid gathering in large numbers at the People’s Bank premises and to strictly comply with the health guidelines.

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