Category: Policy
Ceylon Chamber discussion puts energy security at the centre of Sri Lanka’s growth agenda
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce brought together policymakers, industry players, academics and other stakeholders last week for a discussion on Sri Lanka’s energy transition, framing the shift to cleaner power as much a matter of economic strategy as environmental necessity. The event, titled “Energy Transition in Sri Lanka: Strategic Insights from Global Markets,” comes as […]
Sri Lanka moves back into upper-middle income bracket, World Bank says
Sri Lanka has been reclassified as an upper-middle income economy by the World Bank, a milestone officials are calling hard-won but fragile because the country has been here before, and lost the status within a year. The change was confirmed in the World Bank Group’s Country Income Classifications for the fiscal year running from 1 […]
Sri Lanka’s inflation hits 6.8-pct in June
Sri Lanka’s inflation problem isn’t going away anytime soon. June’s headline number came in at 6.8% year-on-year, up from 5.5% in May, and the drivers are exactly what most people already feel when they fill up their tank or do their weekly grocery run. Energy costs remain the main villain here. The Middle East conflict […]
Sri Lanka, US reaffirm strong ties as talks focus on trade gap and tariffs
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Dr. Paul Kapur, at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (22). The two sides reflected on 77 years of Sri Lanka-US relations, noting how the partnership has grown to cover trade, defence, investment, tourism and people-to-people connections. Kapur […]
Central Bank increases Overnight Policy Rate to 8.75-pct
The Monetary Policy Board, at its meeting held yesterday, decided to increase the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 100 bps to 8.75%. Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR), which are linked to OPR with predetermined margins of ± 50 bps, are also increased to 8.25% and 9.25%, respectively. The Board […]
Central Bank keeps Overnight Policy Rate unchanged
The Monetary Policy Board, at its meeting held yesterday, decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75%. The Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering evolving developments and the outlook on both domestic and global fronts. The Board is of the view that the current monetary policy stance […]
ADB approves USD100 Mn to strengthen macroeconomic resilience, transparency in Sri Lanka
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million financing package to build on Sri Lanka’s progress toward macroeconomic stability and to help achieve sustainable growth following the economic crisis. This will be done by strengthening public expenditure management, improving revenue mobilization, and fostering private sector participation. “Sri Lanka has made commendable progress in […]
Central Bank of Sri Lanka keeps Overnight Policy Rate unchanged
The Monetary Policy Board decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75% at its meeting held yesterday. The Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering both domestic and global developments. The Board is of the view that the current monetary policy stance will support steering inflation towards the […]
The Once and Future Industrial Northern Province
By Jekhan Aruliah The Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlparnam, CCIY, was born in the short period of optimism in 1999. When the Sri Lankan Civil War, at that time already aflame for 16 years, seemed to be heading toward a settlement. Opposing sides were sitting at the same negotiating table. That optimism was […]
Central Bank of Sri Lanka keeps Overnight Policy Rate unchanged at 7.75-pct
The Monetary Policy Board decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75% at its meeting held yesterday. The Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering both domestic and global developments. The Board is of the view that the current monetary policy stance will help steer inflation towards the […]
Central Bank further reduces Overnight Policy Rate by 0.25-pct
The Monetary Policy Board decided to reduce the OPR by 25 bps to 7.75% at its meeting held yesterday, thereby easing monetary policy further. The Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering the developments both domestically and globally. The Board is of the view that this measured easing of monetary policy stance will support […]
CCPI in March 2025 signals easing of deflationary conditions
In line with the Central Bank’s near term projections, deflationary conditions commenced easing in March. Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on- year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100) 1 remained in the negative territory for the seventh consecutive month, yet recorded a slower deflation of 2.6% in March 2025 compared […]