Colombo, Sri Lanka – 24 September 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released its “Daily Economic Indicators” report for September 23, 2026, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the nation’s financial and economic health. The data provides crucial insights into inflation, growth, exchange rates, money markets, and energy consumption, guiding investors, policymakers, and the public in navigating Sri Lanka’s dynamic economic landscape.
Macroeconomic Performance Overview
According to the latest figures, Sri Lanka’s economy recorded a Real GDP Growth of 4.2% for the second quarter of 2026. Inflation indicators show a continued moderation, with the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) Year-on-Year Change at 8.1% for August 2026. Similarly, the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) Year-on-Year Change stood at 8.0% for the same period, reflecting the ongoing efforts to stabilize price levels.
The CBSL’s monetary policy stance remains consistent, with the Policy Rate (Overnight Policy Rate – OPR) at 8.75% and the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) at 10.76%. The Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) was reported at 9.35% as of September 23, 2026.
Foreign Exchange Market Stability
The foreign exchange market showed indicative rates for major currencies. As of September 23, 2026, the Telegraphic Transfer (TT) buying and selling rates against the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) were:
- USD: Buying at Rs. 324.6439, Selling at Rs. 333.7029
- GBP: Buying at Rs. 431.1606, Selling at Rs. 445.6565
- EUR: Buying at Rs. 369.8188, Selling at Rs. 382.9323
- JPY: Buying at Rs. 2.0521, Selling at Rs. 2.1257
The indicative rate of the USD/LKR Spot Exchange Rate was recorded at Rs. 329.89, showcasing a largely stable currency environment.
Money Market Dynamics
Overnight Liquidity in the money market saw a notable increase, reaching Rs. 148.87 billion on September 23, 2026, up from Rs. 94.09 billion the previous day. This surge indicates improved liquidity within the banking system. The Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) was 8.98%, and the Average Weighted Repo Rate (AWRR) was 8.92%.
Treasury Bill Yields
Yield rates for Treasury Bills showed competitive figures across maturities on September 23, 2026:
- 91 Day T-Bills: Primary Market 9.20%, Secondary Market 9.20%
- 182 Day T-Bills: Primary Market 9.37%, Secondary Market 9.42%
- 364 Day T-Bills: Primary Market 9.93%, Secondary Market 9.90%
Colombo Stock Exchange Performance
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) demonstrated a mixed performance. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 21,085.15, while the S&P SL20 Index stood at 5,947.50. Daily turnover for September 23, 2026, amounted to Rs. 1,323.77 million, contributing to a total market capitalization of Rs. 7,647.58 billion. The Price-to-Earnings (PE) Ratio was 10.92.
Foreign participation in the market recorded purchases of Rs. 10.26 million and sales of Rs. 12.87 million, indicating a slight net outflow of foreign funds for the day.
Energy Sector Update
Total electricity generation on September 23, 2026, was 57.43 GWh, with a peak demand of 2,839.70 MW. The energy mix highlighted the nation’s reliance on diverse sources:
- Hydro: 47.8%
- Thermal Coal: 19.2%
- Thermal Oil: 8.3%
- Solar: 16.8%
- Wind: 7.2%
- Biomass: 0.6%
Global petroleum product prices (USD per Barrel, as of September 23, 2026) were: Brent at 102.43, WTI at 91.69, and OPEC at 109.19. Refined products showed Petrol at 137.80, Diesel at 179.59, and Kerosene at 172.42. Locally, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) prices (LKR per Litre) remained at Rs. 399.00 for Petrol (92 octane), Rs. 382.00 for Auto Diesel, and Rs. 285.00 for Kerosene.
Currency and Reserve Money
Currency in Circulation (CIC) stood at Rs. 1,652,123.23 million, while Reserve Money (RM) was recorded at Rs. 1,912,356.22 million on September 23, 2026. These figures are vital indicators of the monetary base and overall liquidity in the economy.
The CBSL’s daily economic indicators serve as a critical tool for understanding Sri Lanka’s dynamic economic landscape, providing transparency and supporting informed decision-making across all sectors. DailyFC will continue to monitor these developments closely.
Source: Read original document
