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CCPI Based Headline Inflation is Back in Single Digit Levels in July 2023 after Nineteen Months

Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100) decreased to 6.3% in July 2023 from 12.0% in June 2023. The decline in the headline inflation is broadly in line with the disinflation path envisaged by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in July 2023.

The Food category, nearly after four years, recorded a deflation (Y-o-Y) of 1.4% in July 2023 compared to the inflation of 4.1% observed in June 2023. Meanwhile, the Non-Food inflation (Y-o-Y) decreased further to 10.5% in July 2023 from 16.2% in June 2023. Monthly change of CCPI recorded at -1.12% in July 2023 due to the combined effect of price decreases of -1.13% observed in the items of Non-Food category and the marginal price increases of 0.01% recorded in the items of Food category. The core inflation (Y-o-Y), which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy, decreased to 6.1% in July 2023 from 9.8% in June 2023.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Publishes its Inaugural Monetary Policy Report (July 2023)

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka published its inaugural Monetary Policy Report (MPR) today (31.07.2023).

The publication of the Monetary Policy Report marks an important step towards improving the transparency of monetary policy and is expected to promote engagement with all stakeholders of the economy through the  dissemination of information that was considered by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in the formulation of monetary policy decisions.

The MPR presents the Central Bank’s assessment of the future trajectory of inflation and other key macroeconomic variables based on the analysis of the current macroeconomic developments on the domestic and global fronts, and their outlook. The MPR also aims to provide an assessment of the balance of risks to the projections on inflation and economic growth considering the ongoing and expected developments. Such assessment would help provide greater clarity to all stakeholders on the thinking of the Monetary Board when arriving at monetary policy decisions.

External Sector Performance - June 2023

Export earnings remained above US dollars 1.0 billion for the second consecutive month in June 2023, while import expenditure declined compared to the previous month.

Workers’ remittances and earnings from tourism continued to improve notably in June 2023, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Foreign investment in the government securities market recorded a notable net inflow during June 2023.

The receipt of around US dollars 250 million from the World Bank for the budgetary support, elevated the gross official reserve level (GOR) to around US dollars 3.7 billion by end June, compared to US dollars 3.5 billion as at end May 2023.

The Sri Lanka rupee recorded some degree of volatility against the US dollar in June 2023, reflecting the determination of the exchange rate by market forces.

Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index (Construction) - June 2023

The Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) commenced PMI survey for Construction activities in June 2017 with a view to timely capture the developments in the construction industry. The department continued the survey for six years delivering key industry insights to the CBSL, assisting the policy formulation process. Currently, the bank disseminates the other two PMI surveys, Manufacturing and Services, on monthly basis to the bank’s website. Hence, the CBSL decided to release the Construction PMI survey results as well for the information of the public starting from the June 2023 survey round.

The report on the Construction PMI survey results for the June 2023 is given below. The survey results will be published on a monthly basis via a press release and uploaded to CBSL website under the Statistics section at the end of the following month hereafter.

Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka/The Chairman of the National Coordinating Committee, Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, Attends the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering Annual Plenary, during 11th to 14th July 2023 in Vancouver, Canada

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) on Anti Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), represented the Sri Lankan delegation to the 2023 Annual Plenary of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) and the ensuing Technical Assistance and Training (TA&T) Forum held in Vancouver, Canada from 11 – 14 July 2023. The Sri Lankan delegation consisted of the expert assessors participating in the respective Mutual Evaluations of the Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Lao (Lao PDR), Nepal and Brunei. The annual Plenary brought together over 300 delegates from the 42 APG member countries, observer institutions and jurisdictions, and private sector stakeholders to discuss issues concerning countering serious financial crime, including money laundering (ML), terrorist financing (TF), and proliferation financing relating to weapons of mass destruction (PF).

New Order Issued Relaxing Certain Limitations/Suspensions Imposed on Outward Remittances of Foreign Exchange

With a view to assist and maintain the financial system stability by minimizing the pressure on the exchange rate and preserving the foreign currency reserve position of the country, the Hon. Minister of Finance has issued Orders under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 (FEA) since 02.04.2020, to temporarily suspend/limit certain outward remittances.

Considering the current and expected developments in the domestic foreign exchange market and with a view to further facilitate international transactions, the Hon. Minister of Finance, with the recommendation of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers, has issued a new Order under Section 22 of the FEA. This Order has relaxed certain limitations on outward remittances for capital transactions and removed the restrictions on current transfers of emigrants, while continuing the other suspensions/limitations which were imposed under the previous Order. The new Order is effective for six (06) months from 28.06.2023. The summary of the suspensions/limitations so relaxed are indicated in Table below.

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