Sri Lanka Manufacturing PMI Climbs to 2020 Highs

2026-04-17 02:23 By Jereli Escobar 1 min. read

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.



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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
Sri Lanka Manufacturing PMI Rise in February 2026
Sri Lanka's Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.8 in February 2026 from 56.1 in January, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing activities. The Employment sub-index (58.6 vs 51.5) and Stock of Purchases sub-index (60.0 vs 56.0) expanded further during the month, reflecting firms' preparations ahead of the festive season. Some firms also reported pre-emptive stocking in anticipation of potential supply pressures stemming from Middle East unrest. The New Orders sub-index (55.0 vs 58.5) and Production sub-index (54.5 vs 57.5) expanded in February, though at a slower pace than the prior month. Meanwhile, Suppliers' Delivery Times lengthened further, signaling increased pressure on supply chains. Expectations for manufacturing activities over the next three months remain positive, driven by anticipated festive demand. However, many respondents expressed caution about potential adverse effects if the Middle East conflict persists.
2026-03-16
Sri Lanka Factory Activity Growth Slows
Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing PMI eased to 56.1 in January 2026 from 60.9 in December 2025, indicating that manufacturing activity continued to expand, albeit at a slower pace following the seasonal peak recorded in the previous month. All sub-indices remained above the neutral 50 threshold, signaling sustained growth in the sector. Expansion moderated for new orders (58.5 vs 63.8 in December) and production (57.5 vs 61.2). Employment growth also softened (51.5 versus 58.5), reflecting more moderate hiring conditions. Meanwhile, the stock of purchases accelerated (56.0 vs 53.7), largely due to inventory buildup ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays. Suppliers’ delivery time remained lengthened but eased somewhat (55.0 vs 62.5), consistent with slower growth in demand. Looking ahead, expectations for manufacturing activity over the next three months remain positive, supported by anticipated improvements in business conditions.
2026-02-16