The Sri Lankan Rupee had depreciated by 7 per cent against the US dollar in 2026, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has confirmed.
According to the CBSL, the buying rate of the US dollar was Rs. 331.42 while the selling rate stood at Rs. 341.36 at the end of trading on Friday (12).
The Central Bank noted that the depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US dollar is a reflection on the emergence of external sector pressures following the commencement of the Middle East conflict in late Feb 2026.
Last week, the Central Bank announced that every exporter of goods who receives export proceeds in Sri Lanka during any calendar month must mandatorily convert the residual amount of such proceeds into Sri Lankan Rupees after utilizing them only in respect of the mentioned authorized payments on or before the 10th day of the following month.
The new directive was mandated through a Gazette notification issued by the Governor of the CBSL, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.
