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Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 329.50/75 to the US dollar (from 329.30/60), while government bond yields fell across maturities, e.g. the 15.12.2028 bond dipped to 10.45-10.55% from 10.50-10.65% and several longer-dated yields also eased.
Treasury bill yields rose across maturities at Wednesday's auction, with all Rs60bn offered sold: 3-month 9.20% (+2bp), Rs30.12bn; 6-month 9.37% (+1bp), Rs19.52bn; 12-month 9.93% (+5bp), Rs10.35bn. 6- and 12-month bills available on tap.
IMF completed its seventh EFF review and 2026 Article IV consultations, saying Sri Lanka's economy has shown resilience but downside risks remain. The IMF noted 11 consecutive quarters of growth, rising reserves and strong fiscal outturn, while urging revenue reforms, cost‑recovery energy pricing and greater exchange‑rate flexibility.
Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 329.05/20 to the US dollar on Wednesday, firming from 329.30/60 the previous day, while government bond yields fell sharply (e.g. the 01.08.2030 bond at 10.90/95% from 11.05/15%).
IMF said its staff will continue discussions with Sri Lankan authorities to reach a staff-level agreement to conclude the Seventh Review of the EFF and the 2026 Article IV consultation. The mission noted 4.2% GDP growth in 2026Q2, 8% y/y inflation in August and US$6.9bn reserves, and urged revenue reforms, exchange-rate flexibility and monetary readiness.
IMF staff concluded its mission and cautioned that recently tabled amendments could weaken Sri Lanka's anti‑corruption framework and transparency. The IMF urged maintaining the 5% inflation target, stronger revenue administration, greater exchange‑rate flexibility, and energy cost‑recovery pricing.
Fitch says global growth remains resilient and has raised its 2026 GDP forecast to 2.6%, but real policy interest rates are rising as central banks tighten; Fitch expects the Fed to raise rates in December and hold them at 4.25% next year, while energy price shocks are influencing the outlook.
Sri Lanka's rupee strengthened to 329.30/60 per US$ from 330.75/90, while government bond yields fell across maturities, e.g. 15.12.2029 closed at 10.70/85% (from 10.85/95%) and 01.08.2030 at 11.05/15% (from 11.15/20%).
Frontier Research said rising global bond yields and major central-bank tightening are making it harder for Sri Lanka to attract capital, with the US 10-year at 5.04%, UK 10-year at 5.378% and Japan 10-year at 3%. Domestically, inflation hit 8% in August, the current account is in deficit and the CBSL's next policy decision is due at month-end after a May hike to 8.75%.
Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 330.80/90 to the US dollar, slightly weaker than 330.75/90 the previous day, while government bond yields edged up across the curve (e.g. the 15.12.2029 note quoted around 11.00-11.10%).
Secondary government bond yields fell across the curve-15.10.28 at 10.60%, 15.12.28 at 10.66% and 15.09.29 at 10.85%, with 2030-31 tenors trading around 11.15%-11.35% as block trades supported the decline. Money market liquidity showed a Rs.145.72bn surplus (Rs.56.72bn at SDFR) and the CB absorbed Rs.89bn via repo; USD/LKR closed at 330.75/330.90 with $77.5m traded.
Global equities rose (MSCI All-World +1.03%) as technology shares climbed on surging AI infrastructure demand while oil futures eased (US crude down 4.8% to $95.49/bbl); bond yields fell modestly even as markets price further central bank rate hikes.
Technology stocks lifted Asian markets (MSCI Asia‑Pacific ex‑Japan rose over 1%), Brent crude steadied at $100.22/bbl and the dollar firmed as investors priced in further US interest‑rate hikes.
Foreign investors sold a net 7,302 million rupees of Sri Lanka rupee bonds in the week to Sept 18, the first weekly net outflow in 14 weeks, amid rupee depreciation. The outflows cut foreign holdings in government securities to 206.1 billion rupees; the rupee is down 6.7% YTD and the Central Bank raised policy rates by 100bps in May.
Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 330.75/90 to the US dollar on Monday, slightly firmer than the prior day's 330.75/331.25. Government bond yields were largely flat, with selected maturities quoted between 9.85% and 12.00%.
Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 331.00/25 to the US dollar on Monday (from 330.75/331.25 on Friday); government bond yields eased, with the 01.08.2030 at ~11.15-11.20% and the 15.10.2034 at ~11.90-12.00%, amid softer oil prices.
Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC's debenture issue drew applications of Rs.5,654 million against a maximum Rs.5,000 million (about 13% oversubscribed). Five- and seven-year debentures were offered with effective yields of 13% and 13.15% respectively, with the Type A five-year drawing Rs.5,021m.
Secondary Sri Lankan government bond yields initially rose then recovered by week's end; at the weekly T‑Bill auction the PDMO raised the full Rs.70 billion offered as 91/182/364‑day yields rose to 9.18%, 9.36% and 9.88% respectively. Money market liquidity stayed elevated at Rs.359.79bn, foreign holdings fell by Rs.7.3bn and the rupee weakened to about Rs.331.
The ASPI fell 1.52% over the week but closed Friday up 0.16% at 21,056.26, with the weekly sell-off linked to rising global oil prices and an uptick in government treasury yields; turnover was over Rs.1.3bn and foreign investors were net sellers of about Rs.5.9m.
Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 330.75/331.25 to the US dollar on Friday, firming from 331.50/90 the previous day. Local government bond yields fell across maturities (e.g. 15.09.2027 at 9.85/10.00%), with modest declines reported on several longer-dated issues.
People's Leasing & Finance (PLC.N0000) plans to list Rs 10 billion of five-year subordinated debentures carrying a fixed 13.75% p.a. interest. The issue is 100 million units at Rs100 each (AER 13.75%), CSE has approved listing in principle and subscription opens Sept 23.
Sri Lanka's rupee strengthened to 330.90/331.25 per US dollar on Friday from 331.50/90 the previous day, while government bond yields broadly recovered as rates fell amid buying interest (e.g. the 15.09.2029 issue quoted at 10.85-10.90%). The All Share Price Index rose 0.18% to 21,060 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.16% to 5,934.
The US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 4%, the first hike in more than three years. The Fed cited elevated inflation-partly driven by soaring fuel prices amid the US‑Iran war-and said the move will support a return to its 2% inflation target.
Secondary bond-market yields fell across several tenors on renewed buying interest (e.g. 15.10.28 10.85%-10.75%; 01.02.31 rallied to ~11.45%), with a money-market liquidity surplus of Rs.107.84bn. USD/LKR closed near 331.50/331.90 as the rupee marginally appreciated.
The ASPI fell 0.52% (109.98 pts) to 21,023.43, hitting a 23-week low as selling driven by concerns over rising interest rates and sustained crude above $100 pressured the market. Top drags included Melstacorp, Dialog, Hayleys, Ceylon Beverage and RIL while foreigners were net sellers of ~Rs.213m; turnover ~Rs.1.3bn.
Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 331.50/90 to the US dollar, firmer from 332.00/40 at the open. Government bond yields recovered/edged down across the curve, e.g. the 15.09.2027 bond at 9.90/10.05% and the 15.09.2029 at 10.90/11.00%.
Sri Lanka sold Rs10,000 million of treasury bills on tap at an average rate of 9.18%, including a 3‑month bill at 9.24%, bringing total bills sold this week to Rs70.01 billion; total market subscription was Rs10,000 million.
Colombo market slipped 0.61% to a six-week low as the ASPI closed at 21,133.41 amid rising oil prices and fears of an interest-rate hike; 172 counters fell, turnover was over Rs.1.6bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.8m.
The Public Debt Management Office raised the full Rs.70 billion offer as Treasury Bill weighted-average yields rose for the first time in 11 weeks, 91-day 9.18% (+15bp), 182-day 9.36% (+12bp) and 364-day 9.88% (+11bp). Secondary bond yields and money-market rates climbed and the USD/LKR closed around Rs.332.
Global markets traded mixed as the Fed is widely expected to lift rates by 25 basis points; the US 10-year yield rose to 5.04%. Brent crude fell to $108.1/barrel and gold dipped to $4,321/oz, while the US dollar eased slightly.