The Central Bank of Sri Lanka purchased a substantial amount of foreign exchange totaling US$ 461 million from the domestic foreign exchange market in February 2026, according to the latest report issued by the monetary authority. Notably, the Central Bank did not sell any US dollars during the month, signaling a continued effort to accumulate reserves as the country strengthens its external financial position.
The February purchases follow a similar trend observed in January 2026, when the Central Bank bought US$ 209.8 million from the domestic foreign exchange market while selling US$ 9.5 million. As a result, the net amount of US dollars purchased in January stood at US$ 200.3 million. The data indicates a steady buildup of foreign reserves through active market operations during the early months of the year.
Combining the figures for January and February, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka purchased a net total of US$ 661.3 million from the domestic foreign exchange market during the first two months of 2026. This accumulation has contributed significantly to strengthening the country’s external reserve position.
With these dollar purchases, Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets have risen to US$ 7.28 billion by the end of February 2026. The increase in reserves reflects the Central Bank’s strategy to reinforce financial stability and improve the country’s ability to meet external obligations while maintaining confidence in the domestic currency and financial system.
