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Monetary Policy Review - January 2016

Broad money supply (M2b) continued to expand at a high rate with a year-on-year growth of 17.2 per cent in November 2015, following the growth of 17.0 per cent in the previous month. In November 2015, the net foreign assets (NFA) of the banking sector improved with the receipt of the proceeds of the International Sovereign Bond (ISB) of US dollars 1.5 billion issued on 27 October 2015. The issuance of the ISB also facilitated a reduction of net credit obtained by the government (NCG) from the banking sector during the month of November, while credit obtained by public corporations also declined. Meanwhile, credit extended to the private sector by commercial banks remained the key driver of broad money growth, recording an increase of 27.0 per cent (year-on-year) in November 2015, compared to the growth of 26.3 per cent in October. In absolute terms, the monthly increase in private sector credit was Rs. 91.2 billion, leading to a cumulative expansion in private sector credit of Rs. 647.7 billion during the first eleven months of 2015.

Inflation in December 2015

Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, decreased to 4.2 per cent in December 2015 from 4.8 per cent in November 2015, on an year-on-year basis. Inflation on an annual average basis in December 2015 was 3.8 per cent.

Central Bank opens its Regional Office in Nuwara Eliya

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka will commence operations at its Regional Office in Nuwara Eliya on 17 January 2016 to further expand its regional presence to promote financial inclusion and to facilitate economic activities in the region. The Nuwara Eliya Regional Office is to be declared open by Mr. Arjuna Mahendran, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with the participation of the senior management of the Central Bank and senior officials of commercial banks and government institutions.

External Sector Performance - October 2015

Sri Lanka’s external sector reflected a modest performance in the month of October 2015 with lower trade deficit, continued growth in tourist earnings and a moderate increase in workers’ remittances. Despite the slowdown in imports during the recent months, the cumulative trade deficit as at end October 2015 increased by 2.5 per cent mainly due to the subdued export performance as a result of depressed global demand. As at end October 2015, gross official reserves stood at US dollars 6.5 billion, and increased to US dollars 7.3 billion in November 2015 with the receipt of the proceeds of the 9th international sovereign bond issuance and other currency inflows.

Monetary Policy Review - December 2015

The year-on-year growth of broad money (M2b) continued to expand at a high rate of 17.0 per cent in October 2015 compared to 16.0 per cent recorded in the previous month, driven by the expansion of credit extended to both private and public sectors by the banking system. Amongst contributory factors, credit granted to the private sector by commercial banks increased by 26.3 per cent, year-on-year, compared to 22.2 per cent in the previous month. Tentative data for November 2015 also shows that credit flows to the private sector continue to expand at a high rate. Meanwhile, excess liquidity in the domestic money market continues to remain high, fuelling monetary expansion.

A Commemorative Coin to Mark the 150th Anniversary of Colombo Municipal Council

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued a special silver uncirculated commemorative coin with a face value of Rs.500 to mark the 150th Anniversary of Colombo Municipal Council in recognition of its service to the country.

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