Sri Lanka’s manufacturing sector kept expanding in September, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) unchanged at 53.0, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said on Thursday.
A reading above 50 signals expansion. The CBSL said new orders and production grew, helped by food and beverages and by textiles and wearing apparel. Employment rose at a slower pace, and suppliers’ delivery times remained longer than usual.
The services PMI stood at 60.5, which the CBSL said showed expansion at a slower rate than in August. Business activity and new business rose, led by financial services, with contributions from education and professional services. Firms also hired more staff.
The index tracks output, orders and jobs in factories and service firms, which affects employment and incomes across the country.
The CBSL said manufacturers expect activity to stay positive over the next three months on year-end seasonal demand. Service providers expect improvement, backed by tourist arrivals and the festive season, though it said global uncertainties remain a risk.
