COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 03 September 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has published its Daily Economic Indicators for 02 September 2026, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the nation’s economic health across key sectors. The update, released today, provides vital statistics on growth, inflation, monetary policy, market performance, and energy, crucial for investors, businesses, and policymakers.
Growth and Inflation Trends
Sri Lanka’s economic performance in the first quarter of 2026 showed a notable expansion, with Real GDP Growth recorded at 5.1%. This figure signals a steady recovery trajectory for the island nation.
On the inflation front, the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) change for July 2026 was 7.2%, which then slightly increased to 8.0% in August 2026. These figures highlight the ongoing need for vigilance in managing price stability.
Monetary Policy and Money Market Performance
The CBSL maintained a firm stance on monetary policy, with the Policy Rate (Operating Policy Rate – OPR) holding steady at 8.75%. The Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) also remained unchanged at 10.95%, reflecting continued efforts to manage liquidity and inflation.
The Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) was reported at 9.35% as of 02 September 2026. In the money market, overnight liquidity saw a decrease from Rs. 138.76 billion on 01 September to Rs. 122.05 billion on 02 September. The Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) stood at 8.91%, with the Average Weighted Repo Rate (AWRR) at 8.85% on the same day.
Treasury Bill yields on 02 September 2026 were as follows:
- 91-Day T-Bill: 8.96%
- 182-Day T-Bill: 8.98%
- 364-Day T-Bill: 9.00%
Currency in circulation registered Rs. 1,671,610.20 million, while Reserve Money stood at Rs. 1,939,726.78 million as of 02 September 2026.
Exchange Rates
The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) showed varied movements against major international currencies on 02 September 2026:
- USD: TT Buying Rs. 323.5351, TT Selling Rs. 332.5247
- GBP: TT Buying Rs. 435.8141, TT Selling Rs. 450.3130
- EUR: TT Buying Rs. 373.3835, TT Selling Rs. 386.4796
- JPY: TT Buying Rs. 2.0121, TT Selling Rs. 2.0846
Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Overview
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a mixed day on 02 September 2026. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 21,325.64, while the S&P SL20 Index stood at 5,983.50. Daily turnover reached Rs. 1,275.96 million. The total market capitalisation was recorded at Rs. 7,706.35 billion, with the Price-to-Earnings (PE) Ratio at 11.38.
Foreign investor activity saw purchases amounting to Rs. 22.41 million, offset by sales of Rs. 29.64 million, resulting in a net foreign outflow for the day.
Energy Sector Update
Global petroleum product prices on 02 September 2026 indicated Brent crude oil at USD 95.32 per barrel. Refined Petrol (Singapore Platts) was at USD 123.38 per barrel, and Refined Diesel (Singapore Platts) at USD 166.94 per barrel.
Locally, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) prices remained:
- Petrol (92 octane): LKR 399.00 per litre
- Auto Diesel: LKR 382.00 per litre
- Kerosene: LKR 285.00 per litre
Electricity generation on 02 September 2026 totalled 58.34 GWh, with a peak demand of 2,934.50 MW. The energy mix for the day was predominantly Hydro (35.1%), followed by Thermal Oil (23.7%), Solar (22.2%), Thermal Coal (11.8%), Wind (6.6%), and Biomass (0.6%).
These daily indicators provide essential data points for understanding Sri Lanka’s current economic landscape and will be closely watched as the nation navigates its path towards sustained stability and growth.
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