Weekly Economic Indicators - 24 April 2026

24 April 2026 Highlights of the Week Real Sector

During January to February 2026, tea production recorded a year-on-year increase, mainly attributed to the favourable base effect.

In contrast, rubber production recorded a year-on-year decrease during January to February 2026.

During the period from 17 to 24 April 2026, Crude oil prices followed an increasing trend driven primarily by uncertainty surrounding US–Iran peace talks. Prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz further intensified the upward pressure on prices. Overall, by end of the period, Brent and WTI crude oil prices increased by US dollars 7.66 per barrel and US dollars 3.31 per barrel, respectively, compared to a week ago.

Monetary Sector

Weekly Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) for the week ending 24 April 2026 decreased by 16 bps to 9.63 per cent compared to the previous week.

The Average Weighted Call Money Rate (AWCMR) increased to 7.72 per cent on 24 April 2026 compared to 7.67 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.

The total outstanding market liquidity was a surplus of Rs.199.17 bn by 24 April 2026, compared to a surplus of Rs.106.32 bn by the end of last week.

By 24 April 2026, the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) decreased by 0.90 per cent to 22,567.63 points and the S&P SL 20 Index decreased by 0.95 per cent to 6,204.62 points, compared to the index values of last week.

Fiscal Sector

During January 2026, government revenue and grants increased to Rs. 468.8 bn compared to Rs. 346.6 bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

In January 2026, total expenditure and net lending increased to Rs. 472.6 bn compared to Rs. 466.0 bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

During January 2026, overall budget deficit decreased to Rs. 3.8 bn compared to Rs. 119.4 bn recorded in January 2025.

During January 2026, net domestic financing decreased to Rs. 15.8 bn compared to Rs. 130.3 bn in the corresponding period of 2025.

Foreign financing recorded a net repayment of Rs. 12.0 bn during January 2026, compared to the net repayment of Rs. 10.9 bn recorded in January 2025.

During the week, Treasury Bill yields remained broadly stable in both the primary and secondary markets, except for the marginal increase in the 91 days T-Bills yield in the primary market.

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

In the reporting week, the auction for T-Bills experienced an oversubscription rate of approximately 2.4 times.

The total volume of secondary market transactions in T-Bills and T-Bonds increased by approximately 59.5 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 2.3 per cent as of 24 April 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

n.a.-notavailable