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Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 330.65/80 to the US dollar, slightly firmer from 330.70/90; government bond yields fell across the curve. Example moves: the 01.08.2030 bond to 11.10-11.20% (from 11.25-11.35%) and the 15.10.2034 bond to 11.95-12.00% (from 12.05-12.10%).
Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said the government's Rs.41 billion diesel subsidy (on top of Rs.57 billion provided April-June) and a temporary 50% surcharge on new vehicle import duty helped curb inflation. The CB raised its policy rate by 100 basis points in May; inflation hit 8% in August, above the 7% upper band.
Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 330.68/75 to the US dollar (from 330.70/90) while bond yields were steady to lower-e.g. the 01.08.2030 bond at ~11.15-11.17% and the 01.11.2033 at ~11.88-11.95%-as an 80,000 million rupee T‑bill auction was ongoing.
The Central Bank maintained the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 8.75% after its Monetary Policy Board meeting, citing resilient growth and elevated inflation. Headline inflation rose to 8.0% (y/y), gross official reserves were USD 6.9bn, and the next policy review is on 20 November 2026.
Frontier Research forecasts the rupee will appreciate to about Rs.325/$ by end-2026 and Rs.315/$ by end-2027, with point-to-point inflation turning negative by mid-2027. It also expects 12-month T-bill yields to fall 50-100bp this year and about 100bp in 2027, and notes Brent crude movements will influence the path.
Secondary government bond yields rose across key maturities as selling interest pushed yields higher ahead of today's Monetary Policy Review; a Rs.80 billion T‑bill auction (91/182/364-day) is scheduled. The rupee appreciated marginally to about Rs.330.75/330.90 and money-market liquidity showed a net surplus of Rs.151 billion.
Foreign investors sold a net Rs 9,169 million (US$27.8m) of Sri Lanka rupee bonds in the week to Sept 25, the second straight week of net selling and taking the two-week net outflow to Rs 16.5 billion; foreign holdings fell to Rs 196.9 billion.
Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 330.70/90 to the US dollar in the spot market, marginally firmer than the previous day's 330.90/331.05. Government bond yields edged higher across several maturities (e.g. 01.08.2030 at 11.25/35%, 15.10.2030 at 11.30/40%).
The LMD-PepperCube Business Confidence Index rose 13 points to 162 in September (from 149). The report also notes official foreign reserves climbed to US$6.9bn and the Central Bank absorbed US$579m from the domestic FX market, while Brent crude neared US$110.
Sri Lanka's secondary government bond market turned bearish with yields rising across maturities, for example the 15.10.34 at 12.00% and the 15.06.35 at 12.15%, as selling intensified ahead of the central bank policy decision. Bloomberg expects the CBSL to hold the policy rate at 8.75% on Sept 30 amid rising inflation from higher food and fuel and mixed FX trends.
Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 330.90/331.10 to the US dollar on Tuesday, slightly weaker than the prior day, while government bond yields opened broadly steady with only small moves across maturities. An 80,000 million rupee Treasury bill auction is scheduled for Sept 30.
Sri Lanka rupee closed weaker at 330.90/331.05 to the US dollar on Monday, while government bond yields rose across maturities. For example, the 01.08.2030 note moved to about 11.25/11.30% from 11.13/11.20%, and the 15.12.2032 note to 11.75/11.85% from 11.65/11.75%.
Sri Lanka's government debt market was volatile but ended lower-to-steady across the curve, with T-Bill yields rising for a second week: 91-day 9.20%, 182-day 9.37% and 364-day 9.93% after the auction. Money-market liquidity stayed elevated at ~Rs.371bn, foreign holdings of rupee treasuries fell below Rs.200bn and the rupee appreciated to ~Rs.330.45.
Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 330.50/65 to the US dollar in the spot market, while government bond yields edged lower (e.g. the 01.08.2030 at 11.13/20% and the 15.10.2030 at 11.18/25%). The All Share Price Index was up 0.06% at 21,050.
Sri Lanka rupee was quoted at 330.15/30 to the US dollar on Friday, slightly firmer than 330.30/55 the previous day. Government bond yields were broadly steady, with the 15.10.2028 at about 10.45-10.60% and longer maturities around 10.80-12.05%.
Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's long-term IDR to B- from CCC+ (Stable) on 22 Sept; Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said stronger revenue collection (16.7% of GDP) and a 5.4% primary surplus in 2025, alongside external-sector resilience, drove the upgrade.
The Finance Ministry said talks held in Colombo from 10-23 Sept were a technical round ahead of the IMF's Seventh EFF Review, not the final negotiations for release of the seventh tranche. The statement said IMF, Finance Ministry and Central Bank officials took part and gave no date for a staff-level agreement.
Secondary bond yields rose across maturities-e.g., 15.12.29 at 10.75% and 15.10.34 around 11.90-11.97%-while activity remained healthy. Money-market net liquidity was Rs.111.06bn (CBS mopped up funds via repos at yields 8.74%-9.15%) and USD/LKR closed at 330.30/330.60 (rupee depreciated).
Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 330.30/55 to the US dollar on Thursday, from 329.50/75 the previous day. Local government bond yields were steady to slightly higher, with the 15.12.2027 issue at 10.00-10.20%, 15.10.2028 at 10.40-10.60% and modest rises in longer-dated yields.
Sri Lanka's rupee was quoted at 330.00/80 to the US dollar on Thursday, versus 329.50/75 the previous day, while government bond yields edged higher, e.g. the 15.09.2029 bond at 10.60-10.80%, 01.02.2031 at 11.10-11.20% and 15.10.2034 at 11.85-11.95%.
Ceylon Chamber welcomed Fitch's upgrade of Sri Lanka's long‑term foreign‑currency rating to B- (Stable) and urged trade‑facilitation, digital and labour reforms to build on the gain. It also called for sustained primary surpluses, revenue mobilisation, lower debt‑service ratios and stronger foreign‑exchange reserves to attract investment.
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.
IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou said fiscal support amid elevated commodity and fuel prices should be temporary, carefully costed and targeted to vulnerable groups. He also noted Sri Lanka's foreign exchange reserve accumulation continued in July-August and the Central Bank remains committed to agreed reserve targets.
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$6.9bn reserves, and urged revenue reforms, exchange-rate flexibility and monetary readiness.
Sri Lanka's tea exports fell about 5% year‑on‑year in the first eight months of 2026 to 166.3 Mnkg, with August shipments at 22.8 Mnkg. Rupee earnings held nearly steady at Rs.305.6bn, but US$ earnings slipped to about $948m amid higher freight and insurance costs and a lower average FOB.
IMF staff concluded its mission and cautioned that recently tabled amendments could weaken Sri Lanka's anti‑corruption framework and transparency. The IMF urged maintaining the 5% inflation target, stronger revenue administration, greater exchange‑rate flexibility, and energy cost‑recovery pricing.
Sri Lanka's rupee strengthened to 329.30/60 per US$ 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%).
Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's Long-Term IDR to 'B-' from 'CCC+' with a Stable outlook, citing implemented macro-stabilisation policies, improved fiscal and external balances and a modest rebuild in FX reserves that ease external financing risks.