📈 Sri Lanka Construction PMI Gains Momentum in July 2026

Sri Lanka’s construction sector recorded accelerated expansion in July 2026, driven by a steady stream of new project awards despite ongoing supply-side bottlenecks and labor constraints. • Key Indicators & Performance: • Total Activity Index (PMI Construction): Rose to 61.4 in July 2026 (up from 60.0 in June 2026 and 60.0 in July 2025). • New Orders: Expanded faster to 57.1 (vs. 54.3 in June). • Quantity of Purchases: Surged to 64.7 (vs. 60.0 in June) on back of increased work availability. • Employment: Strengthened to 61.8 (vs. 61.4 in June), though firms continue to face skilled labor shortages. • Suppliers' Delivery Time: Modest adjustment to 60.0 (vs. 62.9 in June), reflecting slower delivery delays. • Industry Bottlenecks & Outlook: • Survey respondents reported persistent raw material price pressures and input shortages, particularly a short supply of bitumen. • Expectations for the next three months remain optimistic due to upcoming project pipelines. • Global Context: • Sri Lanka’s sector expansion contrasts with declining trends in major global markets such as Eurozone, France, Germany, Italy, and UK, while Ireland saw a rebound.