Weekly Economic Indicators -21 August 2026

21 August 2026 Highlights of the Week Real Sector

In July 2026, Purchasing Managers’ Indices (PMIs) indicated an expansion in both Manufacturing and Services activities.

During the period from 17 to 21 August 2026, crude oil prices trended upward, driven by uncertainty surrounding the US–Iran peace talks. Iran’s more offensive stance and US’s warnings of economic retaliation against countries supporting Iran, heightened concerns over potential supply disruptions. Consequently, Brent and WTI crude oil prices increased by US dollars 7.08 and US dollars 5.89 per barrel, respectively, compared to a week ago.

Monetary Sector

Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) for the week ending 21 August 2026 decreased by 09 bps to 10.86 per cent compared to the previous week.

The Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) increased to 8.81 per cent on 21 August 2026 compared to 8.80 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. 278.51 bn by 21 August 2026, compared to a surplus of Rs. 290.69 bn by the end of last week.

By 21 August 2026, the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) decreased by 0.96 per cent to 21,416.61 points and the S&P SL 20 Index decreased by 0.62 per cent to 6,028.09 points, compared to the index values of last week.

Fiscal Sector

During the week, Treasury Bill yields marginally decreased in both the primary and secondary markets, while Treasury Bond yields also decreased marginally in the secondary market, with the exception of the 20-year bond.

The rupee value of Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds held by foreign investors increased by approximately 4.3 per cent in the reporting week compared to the previous week.

In the reporting week, the auction for Treasury Bills experienced an oversubscription rate of approximately 2.7 times.

The total volume of secondary market transactions in Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds increased by approximately 10.8 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 6.1 per cent as of 21 August 2026.

Earnings from tourism amounted to US dollars 285.5 mn in July 2026, compared to US dollars 151.1 mn in June 2026 and

US dollars 318.5 mn in July 2025.

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

Average Wholesale Prices Average Retail Prices Item (Rs./kg)

1.2.2 Marandagahamula Market

Average Wholesale Priceof Rice Item (Rs./kg)

n.a.-notavailable

1.2.3 Dambulla Market Narahenpita Economic Centre-Retail Prices

Average Wholesale Prices

Item (Rs./kg) Beans

Week Ago This Week 2026 2025

Rice-Nadu (White)

1.2.4 Narahenpita Economic Centre

/.

s220 Average Retail Prices R Item (Rs./kg)

Week Ago This Week 200

Nadu (White) 230.00 230.00

Kekulu (Red) 190.00 190.00

1.2.5 Fish Markets

Peliyagoda Negombo Narahenpita

n.a.-notavailable

Annual Quarterly

Item (b) RealGDPGrowth

mn