Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.6 in May 2026 from 42.6 in the previous month, signaling a rebound in manufacturing activity. All sub-indices moved above the neutral threshold. Stocks of purchases increased to 52.6 from 44.0, in line with gains in new orders (52.6 vs 36.4) and production (54.6 vs 30.5). The rise in new orders and output was mainly driven by the food and beverages and textiles and wearing apparel sectors. Production also benefited from a higher number of working days in May compared to April. Meanwhile, suppliers' delivery times remained lengthened, though the index eased to 66.3 from 68.7. Respondents continued to cite the Middle East conflict as a source of operating challenges. source: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Manufacturing PMI in Sri Lanka increased to 56.60 points in May from 42.60 points in April of 2026. Manufacturing PMI in Sri Lanka averaged 53.64 points from 2015 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 67.30 points in May of 2015 and a record low of 24.20 points in April of 2020. This page provides - Sri Lanka Manufacturing Pmi- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Manufacturing PMI in Sri Lanka increased to 56.60 points in May from 42.60 points in April of 2026. Manufacturing PMI in Sri Lanka is expected to be 59.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Sri Lanka Manufacturing PMI is projected to trend around 57.00 points in 2027 and 55.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Business Confidence 104.00 125.00 points Mar 2026
Capacity Utilization 62.00 60.00 percent Dec 2024
Car Registrations 9411.00 11084.00 Units Apr 2026
Changes in Inventories 2441500.00 1994954.20 LKR Million Dec 2024
Industrial Production 1.60 3.00 percent Apr 2026


Sri Lanka Manufacturing PMI
The Sri Lanka Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index measures the performance of the manufacturing sector and is derived from a survey of 150 industrial companies. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index is based on five individual indexes with the following weights: New Orders, Output, Employment, Suppliers’ Delivery Times and Stock of Items Purchased, with the Delivery Times index inverted so that it moves in a comparable direction. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion of the manufacturing sector compared to the previous month; below 50 represents a contraction; while 50 indicates no change.

News Stream
Sri Lanka Manufacturing Activity Rebounds in May
Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.6 in May 2026 from 42.6 in the previous month, signaling a rebound in manufacturing activity. All sub-indices moved above the neutral threshold. Stocks of purchases increased to 52.6 from 44.0, in line with gains in new orders (52.6 vs 36.4) and production (54.6 vs 30.5). The rise in new orders and output was mainly driven by the food and beverages and textiles and wearing apparel sectors. Production also benefited from a higher number of working days in May compared to April. Meanwhile, suppliers' delivery times remained lengthened, though the index eased to 66.3 from 68.7. Respondents continued to cite the Middle East conflict as a source of operating challenges.
2026-06-16
Sri Lanka Manufacturing PMI Falls to One-Year Low
Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing PMI dropped sharply to 42.6 in April 2026 from 66.7 in March, marking the lowest reading in one year and signaling a contraction in manufacturing activity. The decline was mainly driven by a sharp slowdown in new orders, which fell to 36.4 from 69.9, amid fading festive demand in the food, beverage, textile, and apparel sectors. Production also contracted significantly, dropping to 30.5 from 68.8, largely due to fewer working days during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period, when many factories temporarily closed. Employment weakened to 47 from 55.9 as firms reduced temporary staff following seasonal demand. The stock of purchases index also declined to 44 from 59.9, in line with lower production and orders. Meanwhile, suppliers’ delivery times lengthened further, with the index at 68.7, reflecting festive disruptions and logistical challenges linked to the Middle East conflict.
2026-05-15
Sri Lanka Manufacturing PMI Climbs to 2020 Highs
Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing PMI climbed to 66.7 in March 2026 from 56.8 in the previous month, hitting its highest level since June 2020. This signals strong expansion driven by seasonal demand, although firms continued to face tight production conditions due to shortages of raw materials and fuel, rising costs, and logistical constraints. New orders (69.9 vs 55 in February) and production (68.8 vs 54.5) expanded, particularly in food & beverages and textiles & wearing apparel. The stock of purchases also grew, albeit at a softer pace (59.9 vs 60), with some firms building precautionary inventories amid risks linked to the Middle East conflict. Employment growth slowed (55.9 vs 58.6), while suppliers’ delivery times lengthened further (75.5 vs 59.6) due to strong demand and shipping disruptions. Looking ahead, manufacturers remained optimistic for the next quarter, although expectations were tempered by uncertainties surrounding the Middle East conflict.
2026-04-17