Sri Lanka

CBSL Releases 2025 Financial Statements and Operations Publication

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka released its 2025 Financial Statements and Operations publication on 20 April 2026, as required under Section 99(2) and 7(1)(l) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023. The publication, presented by Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe to the President and Minister of Finance, covers the Bank's institutional performance during 2025 and includes IFRS-compliant financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025. This is an informational release presenting the Central Bank's own financial accountability; it does not impose new regulatory obligations on external parties.

Sri Lanka Annual Economic Review 2025 Released

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka released its Annual Economic Review 2025, a statutory publication under Section 80 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023. The review documents Sri Lanka's economic performance including estimated 5% real GDP growth, a third consecutive year of current account surplus, a primary balance surplus, and improved financial sector profitability and asset quality. The report covers monetary policy, financial system development initiatives, and macroprudential measures implemented during 2025.

Open Market Operations Data - April 20 2026

CBSL publishes overnight money market transaction data for April 20, 2026. Standing Lending Facility rate maintained at 7.75% with minimum rate of 7.55%. Standing Deposit Facility at 7.70% with Rs. 138,438 million in use. CBSL Treasury Bill/Bond holdings total Rs. 2,508,920.63 million face value (Rs. 1,585,747.04 million book value).

APG Delegation Briefs Sri Lanka on March 2026 AML/CFT Mutual Evaluation

The Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), a FATF regional body, conducted a high-level delegation visit to Sri Lanka in March 2025 to assist with preparation for Sri Lanka's 3rd Mutual Evaluation (ME) on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), scheduled to commence in March 2026. The delegation met with the Central Bank Governor (Chairman of the National Coordinating Committee on AML/CFT), Cabinet Ministers, and senior officials to discuss progress, challenges, and strategic priorities. The FIU serves as the national focal point for AML/CFT efforts involving 24 public stakeholders, financial institutions, and designated non-financial businesses and professions.

Administrative Penalties Rs. 3M on Indian Bank and Amana Takaful Life, Nov-Dec 2024

The Sri Lanka Financial Intelligence Unit imposed administrative penalties totaling LKR 3 million on two reporting institutions for violations of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act. Indian Bank was penalized LKR 2 million for failure to report EFT transactions exceeding LKR 1 million and failure to maintain updated designated persons lists. Amana Takaful Life PLC was penalized LKR 1 million for failure to maintain updated UN sanctions lists and failure to verify customers against updated designated lists under CDD Rules.

OMO Money Market Data - April 17, 2026

CBSL published daily money market data for April 17, 2026, showing overnight transactions, standing facility usage, and Treasury Bill/Bond holdings. Call Money Market totaled Rs. 70,020 million with weighted average rates between 7.55-7.75%. Standing Deposit Facility reached Rs. 131,817 million while Standing Lending Facility stood at Rs. 25,500 million. Total CBSL Treasury holdings were Rs. 2,508,920.63 million in face value.

Update on National Development Bank PLC Internal Fraud and Forensic Audit

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued an update on National Development Bank PLC following disclosure of internal fraud. CBSL is monitoring the situation daily and has directed NDB to engage an international forensic audit firm to investigate the fraud and assess compliance failures. NDB has also been required to commission an independent third-party review of its internal controls and governance processes.

Overnight Money Market Data: Standing Deposit Rs129,183M, Repo 7.66%

CBSL releases daily money market statistics for April 16, 2026. Standing Deposit Facility stands at Rs 129,183M while Standing Lending Facility reaches Rs 21,804M. Weighted average repo rate at 7.66% and gross Treasury holdings total Rs 2,508,920.63M.

Sri Lanka Manufacturing PMI Rises to 66.7 in March 2026

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka released March 2026 Purchasing Managers' Index data, with Manufacturing PMI rising to 66.7 and Services PMI reaching 59.4, both indicating expansion above the 50 threshold. Respondents cited heightened seasonal demand alongside challenges including raw material shortages, fuel cost pressures, and logistical constraints. Employment expanded at a slower pace in manufacturing while new business growth drove services expansion, particularly in financial services. Near-term outlook remains positive but moderated by Middle East conflict-related uncertainties.

Sri Lanka OMO Data - Standing Facilities and Treasury Holdings

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka published daily Open Market Operations data for April 15, 2026. Standing Deposit Facility totaled Rs. 131,528 million while Standing Lending Facility reached Rs. 26,100 million. Treasury Bill/Bond holdings showed a book value of Rs. 1,586,329.46 million with gross amount of Rs. 2,508,920.63 million.

Overnight Money Market Data - April 10, 2026

CBSL published overnight money market data for April 10, 2026. Standing Deposit Facility totaled Rs. 163,759 million while Standing Lending Facility reached Rs. 49,160 million. Call Money Market weighted average rate was 7.65% with Repo Market at 7.50%.

NDB Capital Safe After Internal Fraud Disclosure

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued a public notice confirming it is closely monitoring National Development Bank PLC (NDB) following disclosure of an internal fraud. CBSL assessments indicate NDB maintains capital and liquidity levels well above minimum regulatory requirements. Customer accounts and deposits remain safe and secure with no impact reported. CBSL states it stands ready to take measures to safeguard bank stability and protect depositor interests.

IMF Staff-Level Agreement on Combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews Under Sri Lanka EFF Arrangement

The IMF mission team visited Sri Lanka from March 26 to April 9, 2026, for combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews under the Extended Fund Facility Arrangement. Staff-level agreement was reached on economic policies, subject to IMF Executive Board approval. Upon completion, Sri Lanka will access approximately US$700 million (SDR 508 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to US$2.4 billion. The agreement is contingent on restoring cost-recovery electricity and fuel pricing while protecting vulnerable populations and completing a financing assurances review.

National Development Bank Internal Fraud Notice

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has received notification from National Development Bank PLC that internal fraud was uncovered, potentially resulting in significant financial loss. Customer accounts and deposits remain unaffected. CBSL's preliminary assessment confirms prudential ratios for capital adequacy and liquidity remain above minimum regulatory requirements. CBSL will continue monitoring and has indicated temporary liquidity support is available to NDB under existing provisions.

SEC directs Colombo Stock Exchange to suspend enforcement for non-compliance

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka directed the Colombo Stock Exchange to temporarily suspend enforcement actions against stockbrokers non-compliant with minimum shareholders' fund requirements until November 30, 2019. A case-by-case mechanism for granting such suspensions was also mandated.

SEC Directive Revises Colombo Stock Exchange Transaction Fees

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka has issued a directive revising share transaction fees for the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and Central Depository Systems (CDS). The changes introduce a step-up fee structure and increase the threshold for the two-band fee structure, effective March 15, 2017.

Minimum Shareholder Fund Requirement for Stock Brokers

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka has issued a directive mandating all licensed stock brokers and stock dealer firms to maintain a minimum shareholder's fund requirement of Rs. 100 million or 50% of the firm's stated capital, whichever is higher. This directive aims to strengthen the financial position of these firms and uplift market standards.

SEC Directive on Minimum Capital Adequacy Requirements for Stock Brokers

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka has issued a directive requiring all licensed stock brokers, except those trading only in debt securities, to maintain a minimum Capital Adequacy Ratio of 1.2 and a minimum liquid capital of Rs. 35 million. This directive, effective March 1, 2017, aims to implement risk-based capital adequacy requirements.