Category: Economy
Beyond Recovery: Policy Priorities to Achieve Durable Growth in Sri Lanka
By Rashmi Anupama and Kalani Kiriveldeniya, Research Assistants, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) Sustaining Sri Lanka’s post-crisis macroeconomic stability requires productivity-enhancing reforms to achieve durable and inclusive growth. Against this backdrop, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) hosted a roundtable discussion on 14 October 2026 on its flagship publication, […]
Sri Lanka’s terror law could cost it a trade lifeline
A security Bill meant to please Brussels may end up angering it Sri Lanka has spent four decades trying to rid itself of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a law used so freely that even its authors, in the 1979 parliament, called it temporary. The Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTA), gazetted […]
Government Moves to Pass Public-Private Partnership Bill to Boost Investment Infrastructure
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to publish the Public-Private Partnership Bill in the Government Gazette and subsequently present it to Parliament for final legislative sanction. This decision, submitted as a proposal by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, was formally announced in the Cabinet media […]
Sri Lanka to open ports and power grid to private investors: President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told investors that the government has put three things in place: transparent governance, the laws needed to protect business, and the infrastructure to support it. “We will do our part. You must do yours,” he said. He was speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026, organised by […]
Government to Draft Revised State Assets Management Bill, Halting 2024 Draft
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to suspend further action on the previously published State Assets Management Bill and instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a revised draft incorporating recommendations from a technical expert committee. The initial bill had received Cabinet approval on July 22, 2024, to be published in the Government […]
Central Bank Releases Financial Stability Review for Year 2026
In terms of Section 70(1) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka released its annual Financial Stability Review (FSR) for 2026. This statutory report provides an assessment of the stability of the financial system, identifies and evaluates the associated risks and vulnerabilities, and outlines […]
Sri Lanka’s Economy Reaches Pre-Crisis Levels but Recovery Uneven, says World Bank Group
Sri Lanka’s economy reached a significant milestone, reaching pre-crisis levels. But the recovery remains incomplete and uneven, with household incomes and labor market outcomes still lagging the broader economic rebound, says the World Bank Group in its twice-yearly economic outlook. Released today, the latest Sri Lanka Development Update, From Recovery to Transformation, projects Sri Lanka’s […]
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Seventh Review under the Extended Fund Facility with Sri Lanka
Washington, DC: After constructive discussions, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Evan Papageorgiou issued the following statement: “IMF staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the Seventh Review under the 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement and concluded the 2026 Article IV Consultation discussions. The EFF arrangement was approved by the […]
Sri Lanka’s Inflation Target is set at 5% for the next three years: CBSL
The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the President of Sri Lanka, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe, signed a new Monetary Policy Framework Agreement (MPFA) in terms of Section 26 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 […]
Lead Agencies Convene to Accelerate Implementation of National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, convened a coordination meeting with the Lead Implementing Agencies of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 today, 29th September 2026, at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. The meeting brought together representatives of […]
Fitch Ratings’ decision to upgrade Sri Lanka shows recognition of progress in economic stabilisation: CCC
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see the tangible results of the commitment and sustained efforts towards restoring Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic stability, reflected in Fitch Ratings’ decision to upgrade the country’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating from ‘CCC+’ to ‘B-’, with a Stable Outlook. The upgrade is an important development in Sri Lanka’s economic […]
Sri Lanka’s Exports Surpass US$ 12 Bn in First Eight Months of 2026
Sri Lanka’s export sector has surpassed the US$ 12 Bn mark during the first eight months of 2026, with total exports reaching US$ 12.01 Bn, an increase of 4.26% compared with US$ 11.52 Bn recorded during the corresponding period of 2025. The growth reflects continued momentum in Sri Lanka’s export performance, with both merchandise and […]