‘Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka – 2021’, an annual publication of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, is now available for public access.

Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka restructured the layout of the publication last year, for ease of reference, while adding more statistics to enrich its content. Accordingly, the publication consists of statistical tables categorised under eight major areas, i.e. ‘National Accounts’, ‘Economic and Social Infrastructure’, ‘Prices, Wages and Employment’, ‘External Trade and Finance’, ‘Government Finance’, ‘Money and Capital Markets’, ‘Financial Sector’ and statistics of other countries.

The publication is available in both printed and electronic versions and will be a useful collection of information for those who are interested in socio-economic statistics.

The deficit in the trade account widened on a year-on-year basis for the third consecutive month in May 2021. Both exports and imports were significantly higher in May 2021 than in May 2020, mainly due to the statistical effect of pandemic related disruptions a year ago. Earnings from exports increased, while imports declined in May 2021 compared to the previous month. During the month, workers’ remittances continued to increase, while earnings from tourism remained at minimal levels. In the financial account, foreign investment in the government securities market and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded marginal net outflows in May 2021. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan rupee remained broadly stable throughout the month, and gross official reserves stood at US dollars 4.0 billion by end May 2021.