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Condominium Market Survey - Fourth Quarter 2021

The Condominium Property Volume Index has increased significantly during Q4, 2021 with a notable increase of 49.0 per cent compared to Q4, 2020 and with a growth of 48.4 per cent compared to Q3, 2021. In the backdrop of inflationary pressures and the relatively low levels of return earned on traditional investment avenues, investors are moving toward non-traditional investment avenues, among which investment on apartments is becoming increasingly popular. Further, an observable shift is seen in the price categories of transactions. While 77 per cent of transactions were priced below Rs.25 million a year ago, it has reduced to 49 per cent in Q4, 2021. Moreover, the Single Condominium projects in the Colombo district remain to be the most preferred category in Q4, 2021.

Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index - February 2022

Purchasing Managers' Indices for both Manufacturing and Services activities expanded in February 2022 as well.

Manufacturing PMI remained expanded recording an index value of 52.5 in February 2022.

Services sector PMI recorded an index value of 51.8 in February 2022 indicating a marginal growth across the services sector.

Policy Package to Support Greater Macroeconomic Stability : Allowing Flexibility in the Exchange Rate

Considering the severity of the external shocks and recent developments in the domestic front, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced a comprehensive policy package on 04 March 2022 with the view to counter such economic headwinds. The Central Bank also indicated that it will continue to closely monitor the emerging macroeconomic and financial market developments, both globally and domestically, and will stand ready to take further measures as appropriate, with the aim of achieving stability in the fronts of inflation, the external sector, the financial sector, and real economic activity.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Further Tightens the Monetary Policy Stance

Considering the severity of the external shocks and continued disruptions to domestic economic activity, the Monetary Board was of the view that a comprehensive policy package containing both traditional and non-traditional measures, along with other initiatives that have an impact on the overall economy, is essential to counter such economic headwinds.

Accordingly, after carefully considering the current and expected macroeconomic developments both globally and domestically, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 03 March 2022, decided to reinforce its stance adopted in January 2022, and decided to:

Central Bank Requests the Public to Provide Information on Unauthorized Foreign Currency Dealings

Permission to buy, sell and exchange foreign currency in Sri Lanka is granted ONLY to authorized dealers (i.e. licensed banks) and money changers appointed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Therefore, foreign currency, shall be purchased, sold or exchanged only through an authorized dealer or an authorized money changer.

SL Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – January 2022

Manufacturing PMI improved in January 2022 recording an index value of 58.7 with an increase of 0.6 index points compared to December 2021. This was mainly attributable to the improvements recorded in New Orders, Production together with the recovery in Employment during the month. Further, Stock of Purchases increased while Suppliers’ Delivery Time lengthened on a month-on-month basis. 

The expansion in New Orders, Production and Stock of Purchases, particularly in the manufacture of textile & wearing apparel and food & beverage sectors, have mainly contributed to the improvement in the PMI. Although Employment sub-index recovered to positive territory in January 2022, employment sub-index with respect to the manufacture of textile & wearing apparel sector continued to decline, reflecting the difficulty in attracting employees to the sector. Meanwhile, the Stock of Purchases increased in line with the expansion in New Orders and Production.

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