Prasadi Fernando

Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Established in 1950 under the Monetary Law Act No.58 of 1949 (MLA), the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is the apex institution in the financial sector in Sri Lanka. It is a semi-autonomous body and, following the amendments to the MLA in December 2002, is governed by a five member Monetary Board, comprising the Governor of the CBSL as Chairman, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning and three members appointed by the President of Sri Lanka, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, with the concurrence of the Constitutional Council. With a view to encouraging and promoting the development of the productive resources of Sri Lanka, the CBSL is responsible for securing its core objectives of economic and price stability and financial system stability. The CBSL is also responsible for currency issue and management. In addition, the CBSL is the advisor on economic affairs as well as the banker to the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL). On behalf of GOSL, the CBSL, as its agent, is responsible for four agency functions of: management of the Employees Provident Fund; management of the public debt of Sri Lanka; administration of the provisions of the Exchange Control Act; and administration of foreign and government funded credit schemes for regional development.