Colombo, Sri Lanka – September 09, 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released its daily economic indicators for September 8, 2026, providing a crucial update on the nation’s financial health and key market movements. These daily snapshots are vital for policymakers, businesses, and investors to gauge the trajectory of Sri Lanka’s economy. DailyFC brings you a detailed breakdown of the latest figures.
Inflation and Growth Trajectories
The latest indicators reveal shifts in inflation and highlight recent growth figures. The National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) year-on-year change for July 2026 stood at 7.2%, climbing to 8.0% in August 2026, indicating a slight upward trend in general price levels. On the growth front, Sri Lanka’s Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the first quarter of 2026 (2026 Q1) was recorded at a robust 5.1%, signaling a positive start to the year for the economy.
In terms of monetary policy, the Policy Rate (Official Policy Rate – OPR) remains at 8.75%, while the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) is maintained at 10.92%. The Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) for the period ending September 8, 2026, was 9.35%.
Yield rates for Treasury Bills saw minor adjustments. The 91-day T-Bill yield for September 8, 2026, moved slightly to 9.00%, up from 8.96% on September 2, 2026.
Money Market Stability and Exchange Rate Dynamics
The money market on September 8, 2026, showed an increase in overnight liquidity, rising from Rs. 93.64 billion on September 7 to Rs. 119.80 billion. The Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) was 8.95%, and the Average Weighted Repo Rate (AWRR) was 8.87%.
Currency in circulation experienced a slight decrease, moving from Rs. 1,659,365.85 million on September 7 to Rs. 1,655,307.77 million on September 8. Reserve money, conversely, saw a marginal increase from Rs. 1,915,783.30 million to Rs. 1,917,178.24 million during the same period.
The foreign exchange market recorded the following Telegraphic Transfer (TT) buying and selling rates against the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) on September 8, 2026:
- USD: Buying Rs. 323.7744 / Selling Rs. 332.8146
- GBP: Buying Rs. 437.1681 / Selling Rs. 451.7633
- EUR: Buying Rs. 375.0750 / Selling Rs. 388.3457
- JPY: Buying Rs. 2.1070 / Selling Rs. 2.1821
The indicative rate for the USD/LKR spot exchange rate was observed at Rs. 328.21 on September 8, 2026.
Colombo Stock Exchange Performance
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) demonstrated moderate activity on September 8, 2026. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 21,542.23, while the S&P SL20 Index stood at 6,054.52. Daily turnover amounted to Rs. 1,466.55 million, with the total market capitalization reaching Rs. 7,814.22 billion. The Price-to-Earnings (PE) Ratio was 11.44.
Foreign participation saw a net inflow, with foreign purchases recorded at Rs. 43.79 million and foreign sales at Rs. 30.23 million for the day.
Energy Sector Insights
Global petroleum product prices on September 8, 2026, showed Brent crude at USD 99.35 per barrel, WTI at USD 94.38 per barrel, and OPEC crude at USD 101.12 per barrel. Refined products in Singapore Platts were priced at USD 127.50 for Petrol, USD 171.26 for Diesel, and USD 164.10 for Kerosene per barrel.
Sri Lanka’s electricity generation on September 8, 2026, totaled 59.67 GWh, with a peak demand of 3,056.90 MW. The energy mix for generation comprised:
- Thermal Coal: 20.4%
- Thermal Oil: 24.6%
- Hydro: 27.9%
- Wind: 5.6%
- Solar: 20.7%
- Biomass: 0.8%
Local fuel prices at Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) pumps remained stable:
- Petrol (92 octane): Rs. 399.00 per litre
- Auto Diesel: Rs. 382.00 per litre
- Kerosene: Rs. 285.00 per litre
Conclusion
The CBSL’s daily economic indicators for September 8, 2026, offer a comprehensive view of Sri Lanka’s economic performance across various sectors. While inflation shows a slight increase, the positive GDP growth in Q1 2026 provides a degree of optimism. Market stability, moderate stock market activity with net foreign inflows, and a diverse energy mix characterize the current economic landscape. DailyFC will continue to monitor and report on these vital indicators, keeping our readers informed of the evolving economic environment.
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