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Monetary and Financial Sector Policies for 2023 and Beyond

Sri Lanka encountered the most challenging year in 2022 in the post-independence economy. Headwinds due to consecutive economic shocks in recent years, including the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, and its protracted impact on activity in the aftermath in 2021, the socioeconomic and political crisis in 2022 amidst catastrophic balance of payments (BOP) pressures, along with unprecedented policy tradeoffs, have severely affected economic activity, inflicting unimaginable hardships to individuals and businesses. Livelihoods were lost, while real incomes suffered the most. Structural economic impediments that existed across various spheres of the economy over decades were compounded by these economic shocks, along with ill-timed policy choices, thereby loosening the macroeconomic balance and resulting in a sudden and multipronged setback for the nation.

Sri Lanka Prosperity Index - 2021

Sri Lanka Prosperity Index(SLPI) , recorded an index value of 0.796 in 2021 with a slight increase compared to 0.764 recorded in 2020 where the economy was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The marginal increases of ‘Economy and Business Climate’, ‘Well-being of the People’ and ‘Socio-Economic Infrastructure’ sub-indices have contributed to this slight increment in SLPI.

Overall increase in the Economy and Business Climate sub-index in 2021 was driven by increases in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in nominal terms, employment, wages and industrial density compared to 2020. However, relatively high inflation in 2021 compared to the previous year had detrimental effects on the sub-index.

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CCPI based headline inflation eased further in December

Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2013=100) decreased to 57.2% in December 2022 from 61.0% in November 2022 recording the lowest reading in the second half of 2022. Following a similar trend, the Food inflation (Y-o-Y) decreased to 64.4% in December 2022 from 73.7% in November 2022. Meanwhile, the Non-Food inflation (Y-o-Y) decreased to 53.4% in December 2022 from 54.5% in November 2022. 

Kanrich Finance Limited – Settlement of Public Liabilities

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka as a measure to strengthen the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Sector under the ‘Masterplan for Consolidation’ decided to direct Kanrich Finance Limited (KFL) to settle its public liabilities in full within the period from 26.12.2022 to 28.02.2023 in terms of Section 25(1)(m) of the Finance Business Act, No. 42 of 2011 (FBA), due to continuous capital deficiencies faced by KFL. 

Provincial Gross Domestic Product (PGDP) - 2021

Western province, which is the epicentre to majority of the key activities of the Sri Lankan economy, continued to be the largest contributor to the national output representing 42.6 per cent of the nominal GDP (base year 2015) in 2021, with a marginal increase in its share on year-on-year basis.  North Western (11.1 per cent) and Central (10.1 per cent) provinces recorded second and third highest shares, respectively.

Contribution to nominal GDP from Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces increased in 2021 compared to 2020, while that of Southern, Northern and Uva provinces remained unchanged. However, contributions  from Central, Eastern and North Central provinces  decreased marginally in 2021.

Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC - Cancellation of the Licence

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decided to cancel the Finance Business Licence issued to Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFSP), in terms of Section 37(3) of the Finance Business Act, No. 42 of 2011 (FBA) with effect from 28th December 2022. Accordingly, SFSP is not permitted to engage in Finance Business under the FBA with effect from 28th December 2022. Further, the Director of the Department of Supervision of Non- Bank Financial Institutions of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to cancel the Certificate of Registration of SFSP as a Registered Finance Leasing Establishment under the provisions of the Finance Leasing Act, No. 56 of 2000.  

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