The Central Bank of Sri Lanka recorded net foreign-exchange purchases of US$64.2 million in September 2026, according to official data.
The Central Bank bought US$85 million from the domestic foreign-exchange market during the month and sold US$20.8 million, resulting in the US$64.2 million net purchase.
Across the first nine months of 2026, the Central Bank's net foreign-exchange purchases reached approximately US$1.549 billion.
The September purchases occurred during a month in which the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated by approximately 0.9%.
The Central Bank's September 30 external-sector report also showed that the rupee had depreciated by 6.3% against the US dollar on a year-to-date basis by the end of September.
Foreign-exchange purchases by the Central Bank can contribute to the accumulation of official foreign reserves.
They are not Government revenue.
Central-bank purchases and sales of foreign currency are also distinct from Sri Lanka's current-account balance, trade balance and Government external borrowing.
Sineth News recently reported separately on Sri Lanka's August current-account surplus, trade deficit, official reserves and rupee movements.
The latest foreign-exchange intervention data therefore represent a related but distinct external-sector development.
The September figures should not be framed as proof that the rupee either strengthened or weakened because of a single Central Bank action.
Exchange-rate movements reflect multiple sources of foreign-exchange supply and demand.
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