Economy of Sri Lanka

1946

A Malaria eradication policy of 1946 had cut the death rate from 20 per thousand in 1946 to 14 by 1947.

1947

A Malaria eradication policy of 1946 had cut the death rate from 20 per thousand in 1946 to 14 by 1947.

1948

and in turn exports to them, and is thus itself a great seat of commerce." ===Independence to 1977 === Sri Lanka was ahead of many Asian nations and had economic and social indicators comparable to Japan when it gained independence from the British in 1948. Sri Lanka's social indicators were considered "exceptionally high".

Life expectancy at birth of a Sri Lankan in 1948 at 54 years was just under Japan's 57.5 years.

Sri Lanka's infant mortality rate in 1950 was 82 deaths per thousand live births, Malaysia 91 and Philippines 102. With its strategic location in the Indian Ocean Sri Lanka was expected to have a better chance than most other Asian neighbors to register a rapid economic take-off and had "appeared to be one of the most promising new nations." But the optimism in 1948 had dimmed by 1960.

1950

Sri Lanka's infant mortality rate in 1950 was 82 deaths per thousand live births, Malaysia 91 and Philippines 102. With its strategic location in the Indian Ocean Sri Lanka was expected to have a better chance than most other Asian neighbors to register a rapid economic take-off and had "appeared to be one of the most promising new nations." But the optimism in 1948 had dimmed by 1960.

In 1950 Sri Lanka's un-adjusted school enrolment ratio as a share of the 5-19 year age group was 54%, India 19%, Korea 43% and the Philippines 59%.

A central bank was set up and Sri Lanka became a member of the IMF entering the Bretton Woods system of currency pegs on August 29, 1950.

a US$1,061mn deficit in FY2011) [https://web.archive.org/web/20130123204139/http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/roadmap/RM2013.pdf] == Financial institutions == The Central Bank of Sri Lanka is the monetary authority of Sri Lanka and was established in 1950.

1953

By 1953 exchange controls were tightened with a new law. The economy was then progressively controlled and relaxed in response to foreign exchange crises as monetary and fiscal policies deteriorated.

1960

Sri Lanka's infant mortality rate in 1950 was 82 deaths per thousand live births, Malaysia 91 and Philippines 102. With its strategic location in the Indian Ocean Sri Lanka was expected to have a better chance than most other Asian neighbors to register a rapid economic take-off and had "appeared to be one of the most promising new nations." But the optimism in 1948 had dimmed by 1960.

"In the early 1960s strategy for dealing with the foreign exchange crisis was the gradual isolation of the economy from external market forces.

Expropriation and state intervention in economic activities was common." In 1960 Sri Lanka's per capita GDP was 152 dollars, Korea 153, Malaysia 280, Thailand 95, Indonesia 62, Philippines 254, Taiwan 149.

1961

Controls and restrictions in 1961-64 were followed by partial liberalization in 1965-70.

1965

Controls and restrictions in 1961-64 were followed by partial liberalization in 1965-70.

1967

Controls were continued after a devaluation in the wake of a 1967 Sterling Crisis.

1970

Controls were tightened in 1970 to 1977 alongside the collapse of the Bretton Woods system.

1977

and in turn exports to them, and is thus itself a great seat of commerce." ===Independence to 1977 === Sri Lanka was ahead of many Asian nations and had economic and social indicators comparable to Japan when it gained independence from the British in 1948. Sri Lanka's social indicators were considered "exceptionally high".

Controls were tightened in 1970 to 1977 alongside the collapse of the Bretton Woods system.

1979

But by 1979 Sri Lanka's school enrollment rate was 74%, but Philippines had improved to 85% and Korea was 94%. Sri Lanka had inherited a stable macro-economy at independence.

1990

GDP grew at an annual average rate of 5.5% throughout the 1990s until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. Sri Lanka's most dynamic industries were food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. The economy rebounded in 1997–98 with growth of 6.4% and 4.7% – but slowed to 3.7% in 1999.

1991

Overall, average annual GDP growth was 5.2% over 1991–2000. In 2001, however, GDP growth was negative 1.4% – the first contraction since independence.

1992

In 1992, Sri Lanka's exports were on par with countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh (at US$2bn), which has only grown to US$12bn by end of 2017 compared to Vietnam's US$214bn and Bangladesh's US$36bn for 2017. === Inflation in 2021 === Colombo Consumer price inflation 2020 : 4.2% April 2021 : 3.9% Inflation in Sri Lanka measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index grew 3.9% in the 12-months to April 2021 slowing from 4.1 percent in March.Inflation was 4.2% in the year to December 2020.

1996

GDP grew at an annual average rate of 5.5% throughout the 1990s until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. Sri Lanka's most dynamic industries were food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. The economy rebounded in 1997–98 with growth of 6.4% and 4.7% – but slowed to 3.7% in 1999.

1997

GDP grew at an annual average rate of 5.5% throughout the 1990s until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. Sri Lanka's most dynamic industries were food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. The economy rebounded in 1997–98 with growth of 6.4% and 4.7% – but slowed to 3.7% in 1999.

1999

GDP grew at an annual average rate of 5.5% throughout the 1990s until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. Sri Lanka's most dynamic industries were food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. The economy rebounded in 1997–98 with growth of 6.4% and 4.7% – but slowed to 3.7% in 1999.

2001

In 2001, Sri Lanka faced bankruptcy, with debt reaching 101% of GDP.

Overall, average annual GDP growth was 5.2% over 1991–2000. In 2001, however, GDP growth was negative 1.4% – the first contraction since independence.

Sri Lanka's gross domestic product contracted 3.6% in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic which was higher than the previous contraction reported in 2001, on top of several years of slow growth and depreciation of the currency.

2002

The year ended in parliamentary elections in December, which saw the election of United National Party to Parliament, while Sri Lanka Freedom Party retained the presidency. During the short lived peace process from 2002 to 2004, the economy benefited from lower interest rates, a recovery in domestic demand, increased tourist arrivals, a revival of the stock exchange, and increased foreign direct investment (FDI).

In 2002, the economy experienced a gradual recovery.

In 2002, economic growth reached 4%, aided by strong service sector growth.

Total FDI inflows during 2002 were about $246 million The Mahinda Rajapakse government halted the privatization process and launched several new companies as well as re-nationalising previous state owned enterprises, one of which the courts declared that privatization is null and void.

2003

The country has experienced an annual growth of 6.4 percent from 2003 to 2012, well above its regional peers driven by the growth of non-tradable sectors which the World Bank warned to be both unsustainable and unequitable and has slowed since then.

2004

The year ended in parliamentary elections in December, which saw the election of United National Party to Parliament, while Sri Lanka Freedom Party retained the presidency. During the short lived peace process from 2002 to 2004, the economy benefited from lower interest rates, a recovery in domestic demand, increased tourist arrivals, a revival of the stock exchange, and increased foreign direct investment (FDI).

2005

During this time, the EU revoked GSP plus preferential tariffs from Sri Lanka due to alleged human rights violations, which cost about US$500 million a year. The resumption of the civil-war in 2005 led to a steep increase defense expenditures.

A Sri Lanka based factchecking portal, FactCheck.lk said the shift in numbers to 2019 "cannot be validated by an accounting standard." Credit rating and commercial borrowing Sri Lanka applied for credit ratings from international agencies in its efforts to apply for loans from international markets in 2005 after the election of Mahinda Rajapakse as president.

2009

The increased violence and lawlessness also prompted some donor countries to cut back on aid to the country. A sharp rise in world petroleum prices combined with economic fallout from the civil war led to inflation that peaked 20%. ===Post civil war period === Pre 2009 there was a continuing cloud over the economy with the civil war and fighting between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE.

However the war ended with a resounding victory for the Sri Lankan Government on 19 May 2009 with the total elimination of the LTTE. As the civil war ended in May 2009 the economy started to grow at a higher rate of 8.0% in the year 2010 and reached 9.1% in 2012 mostly due to the boom in non-tradable sectors.

2010

Sri Lanka also faces a challenges in social inclusion, governance and sustainability. Services accounted for 58.2% of Sri Lanka's economy in 2019 up from 54.6% in 2010, industry 27.4% up from 26.4% a decade earlier and agriculture 7.4%.

However the war ended with a resounding victory for the Sri Lankan Government on 19 May 2009 with the total elimination of the LTTE. As the civil war ended in May 2009 the economy started to grow at a higher rate of 8.0% in the year 2010 and reached 9.1% in 2012 mostly due to the boom in non-tradable sectors.

2012

The country has experienced an annual growth of 6.4 percent from 2003 to 2012, well above its regional peers driven by the growth of non-tradable sectors which the World Bank warned to be both unsustainable and unequitable and has slowed since then.

However the war ended with a resounding victory for the Sri Lankan Government on 19 May 2009 with the total elimination of the LTTE. As the civil war ended in May 2009 the economy started to grow at a higher rate of 8.0% in the year 2010 and reached 9.1% in 2012 mostly due to the boom in non-tradable sectors.

2013

However the boom didn't last and the GDP growth for 2013 fell to 3.4% in 2013 and only slightly recovered to 4.5% in 2014. According to government policies and economic reforms stated by Prime Minister and Minister of National Policy and economic affairs Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka plans to create Western Region Megapolis a Megapolis in the western province to promote economic growth.

2014

However the boom didn't last and the GDP growth for 2013 fell to 3.4% in 2013 and only slightly recovered to 4.5% in 2014. According to government policies and economic reforms stated by Prime Minister and Minister of National Policy and economic affairs Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka plans to create Western Region Megapolis a Megapolis in the western province to promote economic growth.

Sri Lanka's tax revenues per GDP also increased from 10% in 2014 which was the lowest in nearly two decades to 12.3% in 2015 Despite reforms, Sri Lanka was listed among countries with the highest risk for investors by Bloomberg.

Sri Lanka's savings rate is undermined by government dis-saving (the revenue deficit), which rose from 1.2 to 2.7% in 2019. There are attempts to improve Sri Lanka's "Ease of Doing Business index' (Sri Lanka stood at 111 for 2018 down from 85th in 2014) and the overall tariff structure.

2015

Sri Lanka's tax revenues per GDP also increased from 10% in 2014 which was the lowest in nearly two decades to 12.3% in 2015 Despite reforms, Sri Lanka was listed among countries with the highest risk for investors by Bloomberg.

The rupee fell from 131 to the US dollar to 182 from 2015 to 2019, inflating foreign debt and slowing domestic consumption ending a period of relative stability.

2016

Sri Lanka's poverty head count index was 4.1% by 2016.

But Sri Lanka has recently been facing a danger of falling into economic malaise, with increasing debt levels and a political crisis which saw the country's debt rating being dropped. In 2016 the government succeeded in lifting an EU ban on Sri Lankan fish products which resulted in fish exports to EU rising by 200% and in 2017 improving human rights conditions resulted in the European Commission proposing to restore GSP plus facility to Sri Lanka.

Thus the resultant liquidity levels in the money market broadly reflects natural market conditions compared to the market that was there a year ago, which reflected more realistic banking sector interest rates as of June 2018. Private sector credit growth declined from high levels of 29% YoY in July 2016 to 15% YoY levels in 1Q2018. Given the changes taking place in the private credit space (i.e.

2017

But Sri Lanka has recently been facing a danger of falling into economic malaise, with increasing debt levels and a political crisis which saw the country's debt rating being dropped. In 2016 the government succeeded in lifting an EU ban on Sri Lankan fish products which resulted in fish exports to EU rising by 200% and in 2017 improving human rights conditions resulted in the European Commission proposing to restore GSP plus facility to Sri Lanka.

The debt to GDP ratio rose to 86.8% in 2019 from 77.9% in 2017. Budget deficit data controversy Sri Lanka's Ministry of Finance in 2020 changed its cash-basis accounting convention and charged some payment arrears to the previous year, reporting a 11.1% of GDP deficit for 2020 and revising up the 6.8 deficit in 2019 to 9.6%.

In 1992, Sri Lanka's exports were on par with countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh (at US$2bn), which has only grown to US$12bn by end of 2017 compared to Vietnam's US$214bn and Bangladesh's US$36bn for 2017. === Inflation in 2021 === Colombo Consumer price inflation 2020 : 4.2% April 2021 : 3.9% Inflation in Sri Lanka measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index grew 3.9% in the 12-months to April 2021 slowing from 4.1 percent in March.Inflation was 4.2% in the year to December 2020.

Sri Lanka suffered a US$3.2bn balance of payments deficit in 2020 amid monetary easing. === Interest rates - 1 year T bill market rate by June 2019 === 12 Month T bill to be at 10% by 30 June 2019 The CBSL has reduced its T bill holding significantly from April 2017 to date reversing any monetary stimulated inflationary actions.

2018

Growth also further slowed to 3.3% in 2018 and 2.3% in 2019.

In December 2018 Fitch downgraded Sri Lanka to 'B' and in April 2020 to 'B-' amid a global Coronavirus pandemic. Moody's downgraded Sri Lanka to Caa1 in September 2020, which was disputed by the Finance Ministry.

Sri Lanka's savings rate is undermined by government dis-saving (the revenue deficit), which rose from 1.2 to 2.7% in 2019. There are attempts to improve Sri Lanka's "Ease of Doing Business index' (Sri Lanka stood at 111 for 2018 down from 85th in 2014) and the overall tariff structure.

Thus the resultant liquidity levels in the money market broadly reflects natural market conditions compared to the market that was there a year ago, which reflected more realistic banking sector interest rates as of June 2018. Private sector credit growth declined from high levels of 29% YoY in July 2016 to 15% YoY levels in 1Q2018. Given the changes taking place in the private credit space (i.e.

the retail tilt), and provided the CBSL's recent policy rate cut in April 2018, credit growth may still continue to move either horizontally (i.e.

As a result, 12-month Treasury bill yields may in fact slightly decline from its June 2018 --> 9.4% to 9% levels by end of 2018E.

2019

The free-market economy of Sri Lanka was worth $84 billion by nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 and $296.959 billion by purchasing power parity (PPP).

In 2019 with an income per capita of 13,620 PPP Dollars or 3,852 (2019) nominal US dollars, Sri Lanka was re-classified as a lower middle income nation by the World Bank from a previous upper middle income status. Sri Lanka has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving extreme poverty and is on track to meet most of the other MDGs, outperforming other South Asian countries.

Sri Lanka also faces a challenges in social inclusion, governance and sustainability. Services accounted for 58.2% of Sri Lanka's economy in 2019 up from 54.6% in 2010, industry 27.4% up from 26.4% a decade earlier and agriculture 7.4%.

Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka the best destination to visit in 2019 and Travel+Leisure the best island.

Growth also further slowed to 3.3% in 2018 and 2.3% in 2019.

The rupee fell from 131 to the US dollar to 182 from 2015 to 2019, inflating foreign debt and slowing domestic consumption ending a period of relative stability.

The debt to GDP ratio rose to 86.8% in 2019 from 77.9% in 2017. Budget deficit data controversy Sri Lanka's Ministry of Finance in 2020 changed its cash-basis accounting convention and charged some payment arrears to the previous year, reporting a 11.1% of GDP deficit for 2020 and revising up the 6.8 deficit in 2019 to 9.6%.

A Sri Lanka based factchecking portal, FactCheck.lk said the shift in numbers to 2019 "cannot be validated by an accounting standard." Credit rating and commercial borrowing Sri Lanka applied for credit ratings from international agencies in its efforts to apply for loans from international markets in 2005 after the election of Mahinda Rajapakse as president.

In 2019 investment fell to 27.4% of GDP from 30.4% a year earlier with the domestic savings rate also falling to 21.3% of GDP from 23%.

Sri Lanka's savings rate is undermined by government dis-saving (the revenue deficit), which rose from 1.2 to 2.7% in 2019. There are attempts to improve Sri Lanka's "Ease of Doing Business index' (Sri Lanka stood at 111 for 2018 down from 85th in 2014) and the overall tariff structure.

In 2019 inflation was 4.8 percent. The Department of Census Statistics also compiles a National Consumer Price Index which is released with a delay.

The Central Bank will continue to remain vigilant but is confident that inflation will remain within the targeted range of 4-6 per cent over the medium-term. Sri Lanka used a 'flexible inflation targeting' framework for monetary policy at least until 2019.

Sri Lanka suffered a US$3.2bn balance of payments deficit in 2020 amid monetary easing. === Interest rates - 1 year T bill market rate by June 2019 === 12 Month T bill to be at 10% by 30 June 2019 The CBSL has reduced its T bill holding significantly from April 2017 to date reversing any monetary stimulated inflationary actions.

2020

Sri Lanka's gross domestic product contracted 3.6% in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic which was higher than the previous contraction reported in 2001, on top of several years of slow growth and depreciation of the currency.

Sri Lanka was making a strong recovery after lockdowns ended in May 2020 but a new outbreak of Coronavirus slowed exports and industry.

The International Monetary Fund initially projected a 4.6-pct contraction for 2020. In the second quarter of 2020 Sri Lanka's GDP was estimated to have contracted by 16.3% the biggest quarterly fall on record, and expanded 1.5% in the third quarter.

Following the steep rise in the deficit in 2020, central government debt rose to 101% of GDP.

The debt to GDP ratio rose to 86.8% in 2019 from 77.9% in 2017. Budget deficit data controversy Sri Lanka's Ministry of Finance in 2020 changed its cash-basis accounting convention and charged some payment arrears to the previous year, reporting a 11.1% of GDP deficit for 2020 and revising up the 6.8 deficit in 2019 to 9.6%.

The deficit that was financed in 2020 was 14.0% of GDP.

In December 2018 Fitch downgraded Sri Lanka to 'B' and in April 2020 to 'B-' amid a global Coronavirus pandemic. Moody's downgraded Sri Lanka to Caa1 in September 2020, which was disputed by the Finance Ministry.

In November 2020, Fitch Ratings also downgraded Sri Lanka to CCC citing fiscal and external concerns.

In December 2020, Standard and Poor's followed, downgrading to 'CCC+', citing high fiscal deficits and excessive domestic liquidity, which was also protested by the Finance Ministry. Investments Sri Lanka's investment to GDP ratio is around 31%, made up of about 24% private and 5% public investment.

In 1992, Sri Lanka's exports were on par with countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh (at US$2bn), which has only grown to US$12bn by end of 2017 compared to Vietnam's US$214bn and Bangladesh's US$36bn for 2017. === Inflation in 2021 === Colombo Consumer price inflation 2020 : 4.2% April 2021 : 3.9% Inflation in Sri Lanka measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index grew 3.9% in the 12-months to April 2021 slowing from 4.1 percent in March.Inflation was 4.2% in the year to December 2020.

In 2020 growth took a priority, Governor Lakshman has said as efforts are made to boost output amid a Covid-19 pandemic.

Sri Lanka suffered a US$3.2bn balance of payments deficit in 2020 amid monetary easing. === Interest rates - 1 year T bill market rate by June 2019 === 12 Month T bill to be at 10% by 30 June 2019 The CBSL has reduced its T bill holding significantly from April 2017 to date reversing any monetary stimulated inflationary actions.

2021

The country's public and publicly guaranteed debt could rise to 115% in 2021 and poverty could worsen, the World Bank has warned.

A budget submitted to parliament originally expected a deficit of 8.9% in 2021 with a Coronavirus pandemic slowing growth, compounded by tax cuts.

Concerns were raised that the targets were too ambitious given Coronavirus pandemic uncertainties as well as global economic weakness with Fitch Ratings projecting a deficit of 11.5%. The Finance Ministry has countered saying a lower interest bill, a gradual recovery in 2021, stronger foreign direct investments to the Port City will strengthen economic activity and state finances.

In 1992, Sri Lanka's exports were on par with countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh (at US$2bn), which has only grown to US$12bn by end of 2017 compared to Vietnam's US$214bn and Bangladesh's US$36bn for 2017. === Inflation in 2021 === Colombo Consumer price inflation 2020 : 4.2% April 2021 : 3.9% Inflation in Sri Lanka measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index grew 3.9% in the 12-months to April 2021 slowing from 4.1 percent in March.Inflation was 4.2% in the year to December 2020.

Inflation measured by the NCPI increased to 5.5% in January 2021 from 5.1% in March 2021. Sri Lanka's central bank is targeting inflation at 4-6 percent in 2021, though policy will be loose to promote growth.

"Therefore, the Central Bank will continue the prevailing accommodative monetary policy stance in 2021 to ensure the envisaged recovery of economic activity.




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