📈 CBSL Holds Policy Rate Steady at 7.75%; T-Bill Rates Anchor for 19 Weeks

• Monetary Policy Review (6th/2025): Central Bank held the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 7.75% for the third consecutive time. SDFR and SLFR remain at 7.25% and 8.25%, respectively, aimed at steering inflation toward the 5% target. • Treasury Bill Auction: Weighted Average Rates (WAYRs) were unchanged across all tenors for the 19th straight week: 91-day at 7.52%, 182-day at 7.91%, and 364-day at 8.03%. • The auction was undersubscribed for the 4th consecutive time, raising only Rs. 55.637 Bn (64.32% of Rs. 86.50 Bn offered). • Economic Context: • Private sector credit shows a "notable and broad-based expansion." • Rising imports widened the trade deficit, but strong inflows from tourism and workers' remittances cushioned the external current account. • Gross Official Reserves maintained above US$ 6 Bn thus far in 2025. • Market & Forex: • Secondary Bond market yields edged up following the policy announcement, mainly on the short end of the curve. • The Rupee marginally depreciated: USD/LKR (Spot) closed at 308.00/308.10.