Weekly Economic Indicators - 22 May 2026

22 May 2026 Highlights of the Week Real Sector

At the beginning of the period from 18 to 22 May 2026, Crude oil prices declined after the US President announced a pause in plans to attack Iran. During the middle of the period, crude oil prices increased due to US president's warnings to commence attacks again.

However, prices decreased at the end of the week due to some prospects for resolving the US-Iran conflict. Overall, by the end of the period, Brent and WTI crude oil prices decreased by US dollars 2.64 per barrel and US dollars 4.84 per barrel, respectively, compared to a week ago.

Monetary Sector

Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) for the week ending 22 May 2026 decreased by 13 bps to 9.58 per cent compared to the previous week.

The Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) increased to 7.92 per cent on 22 May 2026 compared to 7.79 per cent at the end of last week.

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

The total outstanding market liquidity was a surplus of Rs.141.27 bn by 22 May 2026, compared to a surplus of Rs.156.80 bn by the end of last week.

By 22 May 2026, the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) decreased by 4.26 per cent to 21,929.64 points and the S&P SL 20 Index decreased by 3.55 per cent to 6,061.02 points, compared to the index values of last week.

Fiscal Sector

During the week, Treasury Bill yields remained broadly stable in both the primary and secondary markets while while Treasury Bond yields in the secondary market increased marginally.

The rupee value of Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds held by foreign investors decreased by approximately 3.32 percent in the reporting week compared to the previous week.

In the reporting week, the auction for Treasury Bills experienced an oversubscription rate of approximately 1.7 times.

The total volume of secondary market transactions in Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds increased by approximately 22.8 percent in the reporting week compared to the week before.

External Sector

Year to date depreciation of Sri Lanka rupee against the US dollar was 7.2 per cent as of 22 May 2026.

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) 200.00 200.00

Beans 760.00 720.00

Cabbage 332.00 360.00

Fish-Kelawalla

Carrot 372.00 400.00

Tomato 504.00 512.00

k2,500

Pumpkin 156.00 168.00 /.

R2,000

Snake Gourd 464.00 504.00

Brinjal 504.00 568.00 2026 2025

Green Chilli 580.00 600.00

Red Onion (Local) n.a. n.a.