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How Sri Lanka Spent, Earned, and Borrowed in 2024?
The recently released CBSL Economic review shows that in 2024, government expenditure totalled LKR 6,131 billion. Nearly half—LKR 2,690 billion, or 44 percent—went on interest payments for existing debt. Day-to-day costs consumed much of the rest: salaries and wages amounted to LKR 1,066 billion, while pensions and welfare transfers absorbed LKR 1,234 billion. Only LKR 791 billion was spent on capital investment, illustrating how debt service continues to stifle development spending. Revenue reached LKR 4,091 billion, covering roughly two-thirds of total spending. Consumption taxes bore the brunt of collection: VAT and excise duties generated LKR 2,181 billion—more than half of all revenue. Income taxes contributed LKR 1,026 billion. Despite this, the Treasury posted a LKR 2,041 billion deficit, borrowing to fund a third of its budget. In short, debt service is largely consuming the expenditure, consumption taxes are carrying revenue, and borrowing remains essential to balance the books.
Featured Insight
How Sri Lanka Spent, Earned, and Borrowed in 2024?
The recently released CBSL Economic review shows that in 2024, government expenditure totalled LKR 6,131 billion. Nearly half—LKR 2,690 billion, or 44 percent—went on interest payments for existing debt. Day-to-day costs consumed much of the rest: salaries and wages amounted to LKR 1,066 billion, while pensions and welfare transfers absorbed LKR 1,234 billion. Only LKR 791 billion was spent on capital investment, illustrating how debt service continues to stifle development spending. Revenue reached LKR 4,091 billion, covering roughly two-thirds of total spending. Consumption taxes bore the brunt of collection: VAT and excise duties generated LKR 2,181 billion—more than half of all revenue. Income taxes contributed LKR 1,026 billion. Despite this, the Treasury posted a LKR 2,041 billion deficit, borrowing to fund a third of its budget. In short, debt service is largely consuming the expenditure, consumption taxes are carrying revenue, and borrowing remains essential to balance the books.
Featured Insight
How Sri Lanka Spent, Earned, and Borrowed in 2024?
The recently released CBSL Economic review shows that in 2024, government expenditure totalled LKR 6,131 billion. Nearly half—LKR 2,690 billion, or 44 percent—went on interest payments for existing debt. Day-to-day costs consumed much of the rest: salaries and wages amounted to LKR 1,066 billion, while pensions and welfare transfers absorbed LKR 1,234 billion. Only LKR 791 billion was spent on capital investment, illustrating how debt service continues to stifle development spending. Revenue reached LKR 4,091 billion, covering roughly two-thirds of total spending. Consumption taxes bore the brunt of collection: VAT and excise duties generated LKR 2,181 billion—more than half of all revenue. Income taxes contributed LKR 1,026 billion. Despite this, the Treasury posted a LKR 2,041 billion deficit, borrowing to fund a third of its budget. In short, debt service is largely consuming the expenditure, consumption taxes are carrying revenue, and borrowing remains essential to balance the books.
Featured Insight
How Sri Lanka Spent, Earned, and Borrowed in 2024?
The recently released CBSL Economic review shows that in 2024, government expenditure totalled LKR 6,131 billion. Nearly half—LKR 2,690 billion, or 44 percent—went on interest payments for existing debt. Day-to-day costs consumed much of the rest: salaries and wages amounted to LKR 1,066 billion, while pensions and welfare transfers absorbed LKR 1,234 billion. Only LKR 791 billion was spent on capital investment, illustrating how debt service continues to stifle development spending. Revenue reached LKR 4,091 billion, covering roughly two-thirds of total spending. Consumption taxes bore the brunt of collection: VAT and excise duties generated LKR 2,181 billion—more than half of all revenue. Income taxes contributed LKR 1,026 billion. Despite this, the Treasury posted a LKR 2,041 billion deficit, borrowing to fund a third of its budget. In short, debt service is largely consuming the expenditure, consumption taxes are carrying revenue, and borrowing remains essential to balance the books.
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Maldives' net international reserves turn negative
For the first time in its history, the Maldives' net international reserves fell below zero at the end of October 2024. This marks a critical point in the country’s external position and raises concerns about the adequacy of foreig...
2025-04-29
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Composition of Sri Lanka's Gross Official Reserves
The reported gross official reserves as of February 2022 stood at USD 2,311 MN, out of which 98% (USD 2,242 MN) consisted of short-term swaps maturing within 12 months. Whilst the quantity of reserves is important it is eq...
2022-04-05
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Is the Pandemic the Sole Cause for the Depletion in Sri Lanka’s Foreign Reserves?
Sri Lanka’s usable foreign reserves fell from USD 7,642 MN in 2019 to USD 1,579 MN by the end of 2021. When compared with
2022-03-10
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Sri Lanka’s Short-Term Outflows Exceed Usable Reserves
Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves have been consistently declining since June 2019 and as of January 2022, usable foreign exchange reserves stand at USD 792 Mn, while the twelve-month outflows at end of 2021 stand at USD 6,904 Mn, whi...
2022-02-15
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Sri Lanka’s Fitch Credit Ratings Have Been Downgraded 5 Times during the 6-Year Period (December 2015 – December 2021)
Sri Lanka’s has been continually downgraded 5 times over the course of 6 years from December 2015 to December 2021, while its regional peers have managed to maintain their credit ratings to a greater extent.
2022-01-26
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