COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 28 August 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released its “Daily Economic Indicators” for August 25, 2026, providing a comprehensive overview of the nation’s key economic metrics. The report, crucial for policymakers, investors, and the public, details performance across macroeconomic fundamentals, money markets, exchange rates, the stock market, and the energy sector.
Macroeconomic Overview: Growth and Inflation Trends
Sri Lanka continues to monitor its economic growth trajectory and inflation figures closely. As per the latest indicators:
- Real GDP Growth: The first quarter of 2026 (2026Q1) recorded a robust 5.1%.
- Inflation (Year-on-Year):
- National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) Y-o-Y Change: 7.2% for July 2026.
- Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) Y-o-Y Change: 7.3% for July 2026.
- Policy Interest Rates:
- Policy Rate (Official Policy Rate – OPR): Maintained at 8.75%.
- Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR): 7.75%
- Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR): 9.75%
- Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR): Remains at 10.86%.
- Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR): Stood at 9.40% on August 25, 2026, a slight decrease from 9.44% on August 24, 2026, reflecting evolving market liquidity conditions.
Money Market Dynamics and Treasury Bill Yields
The money market saw a notable shift in overnight liquidity, alongside a stabilization in Treasury Bill yields.
- Overnight Liquidity: Increased significantly to Rs. 182.87 billion on August 25, 2026, up from Rs. 123.21 billion the previous day.
- Currency and Reserve Money:
- Currency in Circulation: Rs. 1,663,144.69 million on August 25, 2026.
- Reserve Money: Rs. 1,912,628.41 million on August 25, 2026.
- Yield Rates of Treasury Bills (per cent):
- 91 Day T-Bills: 9.06% (unchanged from August 24, 2026)
- 182 Day T-Bills: 9.43% (down from 9.44% on August 24, 2026)
- 364 Day T-Bills: 9.67% (down from 9.89% on August 24, 2026)
Exchange Rate Performance
The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) showed minor fluctuations against major international currencies. On August 25, 2026, the indicative rate of the USD/LKR spot exchange rate was Rs. 329.00.
Telegraphic Transfer (TT) Buying and Selling Rates (Rs. Per Unit) on August 25, 2026:
- USD: Buying 324.0793, Selling 333.1728
- GBP: Buying 440.5688, Selling 455.3573
- EUR: Buying 376.6408, Selling 389.9487
- JPY: Buying 2.0273, Selling 2.1012
Colombo Stock Exchange Insights
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) demonstrated mixed activity on August 25, 2026:
- All Share Price Index (ASPI): Closed at 21,279.65.
- S&P SL20 Index: Concluded at 5,994.81.
- Daily Turnover: Recorded Rs. 796.92 million.
- Market Capitalization: Stood at Rs. 7,703.79 billion.
- Price-to-Earnings (PE) Ratio: 11.20.
- Foreign Purchases: Rs. 55.99 million.
- Foreign Sales: Rs. 60.14 million.
Energy Sector Update
Global petroleum product prices and local energy consumption figures were also provided:
- Global Crude Oil Prices (USD per Barrel, August 25, 2026):
- Brent Crude: $89.30 (as of August 24, 2026)
- WTI Crude: $83.16 (as of August 24, 2026)
- OPEC Basket: $86.39 (as of August 24, 2026)
- Local Fuel Prices (LKR per Litre):
- Petrol (92 octane): 414.00
- Auto Diesel: 382.00
- Kerosene: 285.00
- Electricity Generation (August 27, 2026):
- Total Energy: 55.88 GWh (down from 56.13 GWh on August 26, 2026)
- Peak Demand: 2,763.00 MW (down from 2,892.70 MW on August 26, 2026)
- Energy Mix: Thermal Oil (34.4%), Hydro (21.8%), Solar (18.2%), Thermal Coal (18.2%), Wind (6.7%), Biomass (0.7%)
These indicators collectively offer a comprehensive view of Sri Lanka’s economic health, signaling key areas of stability and ongoing vigilance for future policy interventions and market decisions.
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