📈 Gold Hits Historic US$ 5,000 Milestone Amid Global Volatility

Global gold prices shattered records on Monday, surging past the psychological US$ 5,000 per ounce barrier. The rally is driven by intense safe-haven demand as investors navigate heightening geopolitical tensions and a "crisis of confidence" in traditional assets. • Global Market Performance: • Spot Gold: Rose 1.79% to reach a record high of US$ 5,071.96/oz. • 2026 Gains: Prices have already climbed over 17% this year, following a massive 64% surge in 2025. • Forecast: Analysts at Metals Focus predict a potential peak of US$ 5,500/oz later this year. • Impact on Sri Lanka: • Local Prices: Following the global spike, the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign in Colombo’s Pettah market reached Rs. 397,800 today (26 Jan), a significant jump from early January rates. • Industrial Shift: Domestic authorities are reportedly exploring the establishment of a gold refinery to bypass high import taxes (>45%) and trade restrictions. • Reserves: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) maintained gold reserves valued at approx. US$ 86.15 Mn as of Dec 2025, though physical holdings remain at a historically low 0.47 tonnes. • Other Precious Metals: • Silver: Surged 4.57% to US$ 107.65/oz, continuing its record-breaking momentum. • Platinum & Palladium: Gained 3.26% and 3.2% respectively, reflecting a broad-based rally in metals. _Summary based on market data as of Jan 26, 2026._