Private sector borrowings in Sri Lanka surged to a record Rs. 236.3 billion in September, pushing the total outstanding private sector debt to Rs. 9.52 trillion, a 22.1% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
The latest figures mark the highest monthly private sector borrowing to date, following Rs. 227 billion in August and Rs. 221 billion in June.
Domestic banking sector credit to the private sector accounted for Rs. 247.1 billion in September, while credit from foreign banks fell by Rs. 10.8 billion.
During the first nine months of 2025, the outstanding private sector debt stock from domestic banks reached Rs. 8.93 trillion, reflecting a 23.6% year-on-year increase.
Meanwhile, government credit grew 3.3% YoY to Rs. 8.28 trillion by end-September, with domestic bank lending to the government rising 4.9% YoY to Rs. 6.4 trillion.
Credit to public corporations declined 7.4% YoY to Rs. 608 billion, with the domestic banking sector debt stock down 8.5% to Rs. 555.6 billion.
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