Weekly Economic Indicators - 04 September 2026

04 September 2026 Highlights of the Week Real Sector

In July 2026, Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for Construction Industry, as reflected by the Total Activity Index, expanded on a month-on-month basis.

During 31 August to 04 September 2026, crude oil prices increased amidst renewed US-Iran hostilities, heightening concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supplies. Consequently, by the end of the review period, Brent and WTI crude oil prices had increased by US dollars 6.69 and US dollars 8.79 per barrel, respectively, compared to a week earlier.

Monetary Sector

Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) for the week ending 04 September 2026 decreased by 03 bps to

10.92 per cent compared to the previous week.

The Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) increased to 8.86 per cent on 04 September 2026 compared to 8.84 per cent at the end of last week.

The reserve money increased compared to the previous week mainly due to the increase in currency in circulation and the increase in deposits held by the commercial banks with the Central Bank.

The total outstanding market liquidity was a surplus of Rs. 355.30 bn by 04 September 2026, compared to a surplus of Rs. 318.13 bn by the end of last week.

By 04 September 2026, the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) increased by 1.43 per cent to 21,620.44 points and the S&P SL 20 Index increased by 0.89 per cent to 6,058.92 points, compared to the index values of last week.

Fiscal Sector

Outstanding central government debt stood at Rs. 30,533.60 bn at end of April 2026. Accordingly, total outstanding domestic debt amounted to Rs. 18,853.43 bn while the rupee value of total outstanding foreign debt amounted to Rs. 11,680.17 bn.

During the week, Treasury Bill yields were broadly stable in the primary market except for marginal decrease in the 182 days Treasury Bill yields. Both Treasury Bill and Treasury Bond yields marginally decreased in the secondary market.

The rupee value of Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds held by foreign investors remained broadly stable compared to the previous week.

In the reporting week, the auction for Treasury Bills experienced an oversubscription rate of approximately 2.5 times.

The total volume of secondary market transactions in Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds increased by approximately 51.1 per cent in the reporting week compared to the week before.

External Sector

Year to date depreciation of Sri Lanka rupee against the US dollar was 5.6 per cent as of 04 September 2026.

Tourist arrivals recorded 191,704 in August 2026, compared to 196,845 in July 2026 and 198,235 in August 2025.

The net absorption based on value date by the CBSL from the domestic foreign exchange market amounted to US dollars 579 mn in August 2026.

The gross official reserves were provisionally estimated at US dollars 6,600 mn as at end July 2026. This includes proceeds from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) swap arrangement.

REALSECTOR 1.1 Price Indices

NCPI(2021=100) NCPI-Year-on-Year%

CCPI(2021=100)

Source:Departmentof Censusand Statistics

1.2 Prices 1.2.1 Pettah Market

1.2.2 Marandagahamula Market