Colombo, Sri Lanka – 16 September 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has published its “Daily Economic Indicators” report for 15 September 2026, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the nation’s financial health and key market movements. The data provides crucial insights into economic growth, inflation trends, monetary policy, and market performance, which are vital for investors, businesses, and policymakers alike.
Macroeconomic Performance: Growth and Inflation in Focus
According to the latest figures, Sri Lanka’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded a growth of 4.2% in the second quarter of 2026. This indicates a steady, albeit moderate, expansion in economic activity.
Inflation figures reveal an upward trend for August. The National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) year-on-year change registered 8.0% for August 2026, a slight increase from 7.2% reported in July 2026. The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) year-on-year change was not explicitly stated in the provided summary but NCPI often serves as a primary indicator for nationwide inflation trends.
Monetary Policy and Money Market Dynamics
The money market on 15 September 2026 saw overnight liquidity standing at Rs. 92.55 billion, a decrease from Rs. 131.40 billion the previous day. Key overnight money market rates included the Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) at 8.95% and the Average Weighted Repo Rate (AWRR) at 8.89%. The Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) and Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) were not separately listed but are typically reflected in these market rates. The Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) remained at 2.00%, while the Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) was recorded at 10.73%.
Government Securities Market: Shifting Yields for Treasury Bills
Yield rates for Treasury Bills showed mixed movements on 15 September 2026 compared to 09 September 2026:
- 91-Day T-Bills: Decreased to 8.50% from 9.03%.
- 182-Day T-Bills: Increased to 9.35% from 9.24%.
- 364-Day T-Bills: Slightly decreased to 9.75% from 9.77%.
These shifts indicate varying investor appetite and market expectations across different short-term maturities for government debt.
Exchange Rate Developments: LKR Against Major Currencies
The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) continued to trade against major international currencies. On 15 September 2026, the indicative USD/LKR spot exchange rate was 329.04. Telegraphic Transfer (TT) selling rates by selected licensed banks were as follows:
- USD: Rs. 333.8455
- GBP: Rs. 451.5947
- EUR: Rs. 386.6796
- JPY: Rs. 2.1676
Colombo Stock Exchange: Steady Performance
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) demonstrated a positive close on 15 September 2026. The All-Share Price Index (ASPI) stood at 21,262.13, while the S&P SL20 Index closed at 5,976.67. Daily turnover reached Rs. 2,225.45 million, with the total market capitalization at Rs. 7,704.49 billion. The Price-to-Earnings (PE) Ratio was recorded at 11.03.
Foreign investor activity showed a net outflow, with foreign sales amounting to Rs. 112.44 million against foreign purchases of Rs. 49.39 million.
Energy Sector Update: Generation and Fuel Prices
Total electricity generation on 15 September 2026 was 55.16 GWh, with peak demand recorded at 2,815.90 MW. The energy mix continues to be dominated by thermal sources, with significant contributions from hydro, wind, and solar.
Global petroleum product prices (USD per Barrel) as of 15 September 2026 were:
- Brent Crude: 104.82
- WTI Crude: 123.11
- OPEC Basket: 144.85
- Petrol (Singapore Platts): 192.84
- Diesel (Singapore Platts): 180.95
Locally, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) prices per litre remained stable:
- Petrol (92 Octane): Rs. 399.00
- Auto Diesel: Rs. 382.00
- Kerosene: Rs. 285.00
The daily economic indicators provide an essential benchmark for understanding Sri Lanka’s economic trajectory amidst ongoing global and local developments. DailyFC will continue to monitor these releases to keep our readers informed.
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