Business

Black, White and Grey Markets: The dynamics of foreign exchange and remittances in Sri Lanka

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/18

Sahan Weerasooriya

By Bilesha Weeraratne

Written Ahead of International Migrants’ Day on December 18, 2021

Despite the pandemic and related difficulties in remitting, remittances to Sri Lanka had picked up by December 2020 to record year-over-year growth of 5.8 %, contrary to all expectations.

The reasons for such a quick rebound include catching up on postponed remittances, accumulated terminal employment benefits and savings-related remittances of migrant workers laid off due to the pandemic, receipt of counter-cyclical remittances from less frequent remitters and the shift from informal to formal channels. In the current context of the foreign exchange crisis in Sri Lanka, the latter is the most critical factor to focus on.

From Informal to Formal Channels

The fundamental reason for remitters to shift from informal to formal channels was the accessibility issue during lockdowns or limited physical operations. Similarly, the increased risk of informal channels may have encouraged the use of formal channels. With adjustments to operate under the new normal and easing of lockdown measures, it is reasonable to assume that the informal remittance channels may have also evolved to function during the pandemic. As such, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL’s) Special Deposit Accounts (SDA), with its 1-2% higher interest rate and the LKR 2 higher foreign exchange rate for remittances channelled through licensed commercial banks (LCBs), were woefully inadequate to retain such recently converted formal remitters.

Black, White and Grey Foreign

Exchange Rates

One of the key attractions of informal remittances is the relatively low cost, partly due to the more attractive exchange rate offered by informal channels. The recent movements in the official LKR/USD foreign exchange rate indicated high pressure towards further depreciation and the excess demand amidst the deteriorating supply of USDs within the Sri Lankan economy resulted in a wide divergence between the exchange rate offered by the LCBs – the white market, and non-bank but authorised money exchangers. The latter can be termed ‘the grey market’ because they are permitted to buy foreign exchange, albeit did at their own rate. The divergence was even more pronounced compared with those of the black market or kerb rate.

Figure 1 below indicates a wide gap exceeding LKR 25 across the different foreign exchange markets from July to November 2021. This gap created an opportunity for informal remittances exchanged in the Sri Lankan grey or black foreign exchange market to be more rewarding to remitters. The extra LKR 2 and the subsequent top-up to an extra LKR 10 offered by the LCBs paled in comparison! Finally, in early December 2021, those in the grey market were forced to adhere to the soft pegged LKR/USD 198-202 rate.

Sources: Author’s compilation based on CBSL data and rates obtained by authorised money exchangers and media articles.

(https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-quoted-at-225-226-50-to-us-dollar-in-kerb-market-amid-money-printing-83579/;

https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-weakens-to-227-228-50-to-dollar-in-kerb-market-bond-yields-up-85162/;

https://ceylontoday.lk/news/official-directive-strengthens-kerb-market;

https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-cb-expects-falling-remittance-to-reverse-trend-from-october-87157/)

As seen in the top panel in Figure 2, when the CBSL intervention stabilised the LKR-USD exchange rate, formal remittances to Sri Lanka shown in the bottom panel continued on a steeper decline in October and November 2021.

Desperate Measures

In 2021 various mechanisms were rolled out to access foreign currency available in the economy. In May 2021, the CBSL directed that LCBs sell 10% of inward worker remittances converted to the CBSL. In October, a previous directive on the mandatory conversion of merchandise export proceeds was expanded to cover services. The change also shifted away from a 25% limit, to converting the “residual” after utilising goods and services export proceeds.

The Attractiveness of Informal Channels

This latest update has resulted in much confusion. Though the CBSL indicated that this directive would not affect worker remittances, operationally, this does not appear very likely. A single Personal Foreign Currency Account (PFCA) may receive foreign exchange as worker remittances from a family member or a well-wisher and payment for trade-in services. The method of distinguishing the two types of inward remittances is still unclear to many. At the same time, many individuals have already received correspondence from commercial banks requesting to convert the funds in their PFCAs.

Amidst the confusion and effort to protect workers’ foreign currency earnings, more migrant workers are seeking informal channels to remit, while others refrain from or delay remitting. Yet others are diverting their remittances to accounts held overseas.

Sources: Top panel https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/rates-and-indicators/exchange-rates; Bottom panel CBSL, Weekly Economic Indicators, various dates

Early Warning

Remittances are seasonal. As such, official remittances in December may increase. But it should not be prematurely considered an indicator of the success of the recent efforts to increase remittances or divert from informal to formal channels. The departures for labour migration during the first half of 2021 are a mere third of the pre-pandemic departures in the same period in 2019. Many migrant workers who return are unable to find foreign jobs and this depleted stock of Sri Lankan migrant workers is a weak base to prop up formal remittances.

Moreover, domestic economic hardship makes many migrants and families desirous of a possible extra return through informal remittance channels. As such, excessive regulations to clamp down on informal remittances may inadvertently create a breeding ground for even greater informal activities and black markets, thereby proving entirely counter-productive to the intended objectives.

Future efforts to increase remittances should not underestimate the resilience of informal remittance channels crafted along the centuries-old method of Undiyal or Hawala. Thus, instead of overly focusing on shifting from informal to formal channels of remittances, policies should mainly focus on ensuring a more realistic exchange rate. Similarly, it is important to encourage labour migration and trade in services and their remittances.

Link to original blog: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2021/12/17/black-white-and-grey-markets-the-dynamics-of-foreign-exchange-and-remittances-in-sri-lanka/#

Bilesha Weeraratne is a Research Fellow at IPS focusing on internal and international migration and urbanisation. She is also interested in labour economics, economic development, and economics of sports. Prior to re-joining IPS in 2014, Bilesha was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton University, USA. Bilesha holds a MPhil and a PhD in Economics from the City University of New York, USA. (Talk to Bilesha – bilesha@ips.lk)

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Business

Foreign Minister defends India pacts, sidesteps transparency demand

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

The press conference held at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo yesterday. From left:Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism and Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism

In a press conference marked by both clarity and pointed omission, Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, yesterday offered a robust defence of two controversial bilateral agreements with India but conspicuously avoided committing to tabling their full texts in Parliament.

The minister’s appearance, billed as a year-opening briefing, took a sharp turn when questioned on the strategic implications of the India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Agreement and Sri Lanka’s acceptance of the Indian Pharmacopoeia.

“No Indian military camps on our soil”

Responding in Sinhala to a question posed in English, Minister Herath moved first to allay what he suggested were widespread misapprehensions about the defence pact.

“This agreement is especially for data and information exchange purposes regarding drug trafficking, drug mafias, human trafficking, and any terrorist activities that could threaten regional security and peace,” Herath stated.

He emphasised that it would also facilitate “various support related to the defence sector.”

In his most definitive assertion, aimed at quieting a persistent national anxiety, the Minister declared: “We must clearly say that there is no plan or possibility of setting up Indian defence camps on Sri Lankan soil.” He categorised the pact not as a “defence agreement” but a “defence cooperation agreement in its real sense,” claiming it creates an “advantageous position” for Sri Lanka.

He linked recent post-‘Ditwah’ cyclone disaster support from India, as well as U.S. aerial support during recovery efforts, to the frameworks established by such cooperation agreements, arguing they have proven beneficial.

Indian Pharmacopoeia: A reputation-based advantage

On the equally contentious acceptance of the Indian Pharmacopoeia – a standard synopsis for drug manufacturing – Minister Herath framed it as a logical step that formalises existing practice.

“We already import a significant share of medicines from India,” he noted. The agreement, he explained, signifies the acceptance of medicines exported by a “reputed Indian pharmaceutical company” approved by its national regulators.

He assured the public that Sri Lanka’s National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) will continue to remain the monitor. “By entering into this, no disadvantage will happen to us. Only an advantage will happen… it will only be beneficial to us,” he emphasised.

The unanswered question

Despite the detailed assurances, the Minister pointedly ignored the final and arguably most critical part of the question posed by The Island Financial Review : whether the government would table the full text of the two agreements in Parliament for transparent debate and discussion.

This omission is likely to fuel further controversy, as opposition parties, civil society groups, and independent analysts have repeatedly demanded full parliamentary scrutiny, arguing that agreements touching on sovereignty and public health mandate the highest level of public transparency.

Tourism Pride

Shifting to his tourism portfolio, Minister Herath struck an optimistic note, citing record tourist arrivals and foreign remittances in 2025 as a sign of resilient recovery post-Ditwah.

The conference also touched on global affairs. When asked about the U.S. arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Herath presented a nuanced governmental position. He stated that while his party, the JVP, condemns the action, the government’s official stance is to urge respect for national sovereignty in line with the UN Charter – a reflection of the coalition’s delicate balancing act between ideological roots and diplomatic pragmatism once in governance.

Minister Herath’s explanations provide the government’s clearest public rationale yet for the India agreements, directly confronting fears over militarisation and pharmaceutical quality. However, the deliberate sidestepping of the transparency query left a communication deficit at the heart of the press conference.

High-stakes diplomacy

It reflected a perception that while the administration is willing to defend its policy outcomes, it remains reluctant to subject the processes of high-stakes diplomacy to the full glare of parliamentary and public scrutiny. As these agreements continue to shape Sri Lanka’s strategic and health landscape, the call for their full disclosure is now accompanied by a louder question about the government’s commitment to open governance.

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Business

‘Vehicle-Testing Can Save Lives’

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dharmasiri Gamage, Director, Presidential Secretariat, (4th from left), receiving the proposal from Prasanna De Zoysa (2nd from left), AAC Sectoral Chairman, Road Safety and Devapriya Hettiarachchi (3rd from left), Secretary, AAC at the Presidential Secretariat.

Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC), in collaboration with the Federation Internationale de L’ Automobile (FIA) and under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety has been consistently engaging in road safety enhancement programs for all citizens of Sri Lanka.

Current data indicates that while over 08 million vehicles are registered in the country, only heavy vehicles (less than 20% of the vehicle population) are subjected to compulsory road-worthiness tests.

Fatal accidents due to technical failures in vehicles are on the rise and the damage to lives and property is severe.

We also understand that there is a death every three hours and eight deaths per day in road accidents. This amounts to nearly 3000 deaths in road accidents per year.

AA of Ceylon has launched the “Vehicle Testing can Save Lives” project with the advice and support given to execute our campaign by the Minister of Transport, chairman, National Council for Road Safety (NCRC), Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic Division), Dr. Indika Jagoda, Deputy Director (Accident Service), National Hospital, president, Lions Club of Boralasgamuwa, Metro(Lions Club International – District 306 D 2) and other stake-holders to find a workable, low / cost solution for mandatory vehicle testing in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, this project aims to educate the public on the necessity of checking essential safety features in all vehicles and the benefits of same to all road users.

AAC has therefore respectfully requested Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, to consider implementing the proposal we have submitted to him, to minimize fatal accidents, injuries to people and damage to vehicles and property due to road accidents and to also implement a rule to have compulsorily road-worthiness checking of all vehicles. (AAC)

Business

INSEE Lanka appoints new Chief Executive Officer

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

Eng. Thusith C. Gunawarnasuriya

Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited (INSEE Lanka) has announced the appointment of Eng. Thusith C. Gunawarnasuriya as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 01 January 2026. He succeeds Nandana Ekanayake, who will continue to serve as Chairman, ensuring leadership continuity and strategic stability for the organisation.

A long-standing contributor to INSEE’s journey, Thusith has worked with the company through its evolution under Holcim (Lanka) Ltd, LafargeHolcim and INSEE, playing pivotal roles that influenced both operational progress and strategic direction.

Rejoining INSEE Lanka in January 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, he has since demonstrated exceptional leadership, driving topline growth, improving EBITDA performance, and strengthening talent development initiatives that enhanced organisational capability and business outcomes.

His expertise in business strategy, operations excellence, and supply chain transformation is well-recognised, supported by over 25 years of multi-industry and multi-country leadership experience. His career includes senior positions at Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, Hemas Manufacturing, Fonterra Brands Lanka, GlaxoSmithKline, MAS Active, and DMS Software Engineering. His international exposure spans India, Bangladesh, and Thailand.

Thusith is a proud alumnus of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, and holds a BSc (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Peradeniya, an MBA from the University of Colombo, and an MSc in Business & Organizational Psychology from Coventry University, UK. He has completed executive leadership programs at IMD (Switzerland) and the National University of Singapore. He is also a member of IEEE (US), CILT (UK), ISMM (Sri Lanka), and IESL (Sri Lanka).

Chairman’s Quote – Nandana Ekanayake:

“Thusith’s deep understanding of our business, strong operational mindset, and proven leadership make him the ideal successor to lead INSEE Lanka into the next phase of growth. His experience within INSEE and across multiple industries, positions him well to deliver on our long-term ambitions and uphold the values that define the organisation.”