Category: Economy and Markets
Macrofinancial Strength Drives Credit Surge in 2025, But Risks Loom: CBSL
Sri Lanka’s macrofinancial conditions strengthened throughout 2025, fueling a major expansion in credit despite persistent external vulnerabilities. According to recent year-end data, the financial sector has shifted its focus heavily toward the private sector, supported by a broad-based recovery and accommodative monetary policy. The banking sector saw credit growth accelerate to 21.4% year-on-year by the […]
Ceylon Chamber Urges Measures to Safeguard Economic Stability Amid Global Uncertainty
The evolving global situation and the escalating conflict in the Middle East requires coordinated measures to safeguard economic stability. The Ceylon Chamber remains ready to work with the Government in addressing potential economic risks and has outlined detailed policy recommendations. The Chamber, in its submission of 11 March 2026, recommended a number of policy measures […]
Sri Lanka’s national Terrorist Financing risk assessed as medium-high: National Risk Assessment 2024/25
Sri Lanka has successfully completed the National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2024/25 on Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and Proliferation Financing (PF), in collaboration with a total of 86 governmental organizations, regulatory bodies and private sector institutions. Accordingly, the country’s national Terrorist Financing (TF) risk, a combination of TF threat and vulnerability, was assessed as […]
CSE Provides Capital Market Access to Kegalle with New Branch
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) officially opened its Kegalle Branch to the public, further strengthening its countrywide presence. The branch was inaugurated by Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Senior Professor D.B.P.H Dissabandara, Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Mr. Kosala Gamage and Chief Executive Officer of CSE Mr. […]
Sri Lanka Exporters Invited to Apply for Sri Lanka Expo 2026 International Trade Exhibition
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has made an announcement to the Sri Lankan export community that the ‘Sri Lanka Expo 2026’, an international trade exhibition, will be organised with the primary objective of connecting local businesses with international buyers and investors. This major exhibition is scheduled to be held over four days from […]
CDS Accounts on the Increase. Crosses One Million Accounts
Central Depository Systems (Pvt) Ltd (CDS), a subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), has reached a milestone as total registered accounts surpassed the 1 million mark. This achievement coincides with the approach of the organization’s 35th anniversary in September 2026, marking three and a half decades of providing depository infrastructure for the Sri Lankan […]
OPINION – Northern Investment Summit, Jaffna January 2026
By Jekhan Aruliah When the topic of the Northern economy comes up, Jaffna is often criticized for living on remittances. Small transfers, perhaps a hundred US dollars a month, sent by hard working people overseas to their families in Jaffna and the Northern Province. These gifts are said to be ruining Jaffna youth and the […]
IMF Staff Concludes Sri Lanka Visit; Policy Talks for Next EFF Review Set to Resume ASAP
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Evan Papageorgiou, concluded a visit to Colombo conducted from January 22 to 28 to assess the economic impact of Cyclone Ditwah. During the mission, the team engaged with authorities and stakeholders to understand the social and economic damage caused by the storm, specifically regarding infrastructure and livelihoods. […]
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank keeps the overnight policy rate (OPR) unchanged
At its meeting held yesterday, the Monetary Policy Board decided to keep the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 7.75%, citing an assessment of recent domestic economic developments, the outlook ahead, and continuing global uncertainty. The Board is of the view that the current monetary policy stance will support steering inflation towards the target of […]
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports grow 5.4-pct in Dec 2025; full-year exports top USD5Bn
Sri Lanka’s exports of apparel and made-up textile articles (HS Chapters 61, 62 and 63) rose to US$447.21 million in December 2025, up 5.43% from US$424.18 million in December 2024, according to industry export statistics. Growth was recorded across the three main destination markets. Exports to the USA increased 6.49% year-on-year to US$178.29 million (from […]
Rising climate risks and poverty in focus at CEPA policy panel today, Open University
The Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development of the Open University of Sri Lanka, will host a high-level policy panel titled “Facing the Future: Environmental Disastersand Poverty in Sri Lanka”on 26 January 2026, from 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., at the Auditorium of the Faculty […]
IFC Invests USD 166 Mn to Support Sri Lankan Businesses & Drive Economic Growth
Reinforcing its longstanding commitment to Sri Lanka’s private sector, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, today announced a high-impact investment program of $166 million to support Sri Lankan businesses and accelerate the country’s transition from economic stabilization to sustainable growth. This comprehensive country-level financing package aims to expand financial […]