Business
Currency Board: A solution to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis?
By Dr Asanka Wijesinghe
On 08 March, Sri Lanka devalued the rupee against the US dollar, entering into a floating exchange rate regime. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka had to abandon the pegged exchange rate as defending the rupee with dwindling reserves was impossible. The inter-bank exchange rate shot up once the banks were assured that the exchange rate was floated. The initial shoot-up was followed by further rallying of the US dollar reaching close to Rs. 300 per USD. With the gradually weakening rupee, inflation is also ascending to worrisome levels calling for radical changes, including adopting a currency board. This article discusses the effectiveness and suitability of a currency board for Sri Lanka in the current macroeconomic context.
Weakening Rupee, Rising inflation, and the
Currency Board Solution
A currency board is a system that issues domestic banknotes in exchange for specific foreign currency – anchor currency like the USD which is used for trade with partner countries – at a constant rate. A cornerstone of the currency board mechanism is the authority’s ability to meet all demand for foreign currency by the holders of the domestic currency.
In Sri Lanka, even after the rupee was floated, reports suggest that an active kerb market with a significant premium above the inter-bank rate exists. While such market behaviour indicates an acute dollar shortage in the market and the equilibrium rate is further away, no official data exists on the kerb market money exchange. However, cryptocurrency platforms provide some critical insights. The Tether coin (USDT), which is closely pegged to the US dollar on a one-to-one basis, is traded for rupees on peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms as USDT is used as a medium to purchase other cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.
Data extracted from the P2P platform medium of Binance – a popular cryptocurrency exchange among Sri Lankans – show some supporting evidence for the continually widening gap between official and informal rates again. Significantly, the premium over the official rate plummeted once the rupee was floated, but it gradually recovered to the pre-floated period (A and B panels of Figure 1). The number of sellers and the USDT volume available for sale also went up but riveted back to the levels of the pre-floated period (C and D panels of Figure 1).
The inflationary pressure also does not show any unwinding signs, further eroding people’s purchasing power. These developments encourage the adoption of a currency board as a currency board is believed to be a solution for rising inflation. By the inner mechanics of the currency boards, the independence of discretionary monetary policy is taken away, substituting a disciplined monetary policy – a gold standard without gold – which eliminates the inflationary bias. Indeed, empirical evidence exists in favour of the anti-inflationary effect of currency boards. The inflation rate is lower under currency boards than in pegged or floating rate regimes. Moreover, economies under currency boards grew faster than the average of countries with pegged regimes. However, empirically disentangling multiple influences to pinpoint the low inflation on the currency board is an excruciating task.
Another selling point of the currency board is the fiscal discipline, as currency board regulations prohibit direct monetary financing of government expenditures. A high budget deficit in Sri Lanka and excessive government borrowings from the Central Bank make the fiscal-discipline effect of currency boards much more appealing. Empirical evidence points to low fiscal deficits or larger surpluses under currency board regimes.
Source: Author’s illustration using Binance data
Challenges in Adopting a Currency Board
A significant drawback of a currency board is the need to surrender the monetary policy independence required for managing asymmetric shocks. Such loss is costly when the anchor currency country responds to cyclical conditions, which are different from the prevailing conditions in the country operating the currency board. For example, Hong Kong’s currency board imported low-interest rates from the US in the early 1990s. Such monetary easing was appropriate for the US, but Hong Kong faced an asset price boom that called for monetary tightening. A counterargument against the negative impact of losing monetary policy is the availability of fiscal policy at the operating country’s disposal. However, the maneuverability of fiscal policy is determined by the fiscal and debt positions. In Sri Lanka’s context, the high debt to GDP ratio and fiscal deficits might restrict the use of fiscal policy for pump-priming-stimulating the economy in a recessionary period- due to the fear of losing investor confidence in debt sustainability. Thus, international evidence shows that countries with hard pegged exchange rate regimes generally tighten their fiscal policy in a recession. The Argentinian attempts to bring down the deficit in a recession in 2000 proved to be disastrous.
Sri Lanka’s high indebtedness will also challenge installing a currency board. Once a threat of a possible default looms, the interest rates soar, and refinancing debt will be increasingly difficult. In addition, the operating country needs reserves to back the monetary base in a currency board. In a currency board, the board must continually convert domestic currency for the anchor currency at a constant rate. It should be noted that the reserve level of Sri Lanka has dwindled over time in the recent past. Another drawback of currency boards is the requirement of real sector changes to compensate for the exchange rate deviations. For example, if the anchor currency appreciates against Sri Lanka’s main trading partners, wages should fall to compensate for the increase in foreign consumer prices, restoring competitiveness. Such an exercise needs greater flexibility in the labour markets. Thus, the flexibility of labour markets is a key to the sustainability of currency boards. The political feasibility of the institutional attempts to ease labour market regulations is highly doubtful.
Against this backdrop, the decision to install a currency board should be taken after a careful cost-benefit analysis. A currency board will be helpful to stabilise inflation in the short run but in the long run, Sri Lanka will be better off with a more flexible exchange rate regime. In addition, the benefits of a currency board are not exclusive. For example, fiscal discipline should be stronger in flexible exchange rate regimes as fiscal policy effects are reflected immediately and more transparently. Thus, if Sri Lanka enters into a currency board to stabilise inflation and domestic currency, it needs to contemplate an exit strategy. Generally, it is advisable to leave a currency board when the economy recovers. The requirement to surrender monetary independence and the inability to finance government expenditure under a currency board might reduce the political preference for such a system.
Business
MIWAYZ redefines Sri Lankan urban mobility with landmark launch
Miwayz, Sri Lanka’s newest and most anticipated lifestyle and smart mobility platform, has officially announced its grand launch.
Signaling a major shift in the country’s ride-hailing and delivery ecosystem. the platform went live from Sunday, 12th July with an unprecedented milestone: securing a trusted community of 25,000+, eagerly awaiting passengers within an incredibly short pre-launch window.
For Sri Lankan consumers who have long sought greater transparency and safety, and for drivers seeking fair compensation, Miwayz enters the market not just as an app, but as a community-driven answer to modern commuter challenges.
Facing the Realities of the Road: Addressing Driver Pain Points
For years, the backbone of Sri Lanka’s urban transport—its hardworking three-wheeler and motorcycle drivers—has operated under immense financial strain. Traditional ride-hailing industry have long extracted predatory commission rates ranging from 15% to 25% on every single ride, severely squeezing driver take-home pay. Coupled with highly unpredictable daily incomes and skyrocketing vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, drivers have increasingly felt reduced to mere transactional numbers on a screen.
To address these pain points directly, Miwayz has introduced a highly disruptive, driver-centric economic model:
- 0% Commission & Zero Subscription Fees: Registered driver-partners will enjoy 0% commission cuts and zero-value subscription fees for their first three months of operation, allowing them to take home 100% of their hard-earned fares.
- The Industry’s Lowest Flat Subscription: Post-launch promotional period, Miwayz will transition drivers to the industry’s lowest flat rate daily/monthly subscription model, completely eliminating percentage-based commission structures. This ensures predictable operational costs and maximized income stability.
Tapping into a Massive Market
The launch of Miwayz arrives at a critical juncture for Sri Lanka’s massive urban transport market. According to the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (RPTA), there are currently over 250,000 registered three-wheelers operating as active passenger transport services in the Western Province alone.
Furthermore, latest vehicle population statistics from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) reveal that Sri Lanka has over 1.20 million motor tricycles (three-wheelers) and more than 5.17 million motorcycles (bikes) registered nationwide.
By positioning itself as a fair-play platform for this immense pool of micro-entrepreneurs, Miwayz is set to capture a dominant share of the daily commuting market, starting in Colombo and rapidly expanding across the province.
A Foundation Built on Mutual Trust
In a market where trust is the ultimate currency, Miwayz’s rapid acquisition of a combined 25,000+ strong pre-registered base represents a significant vote of confidence from local users.
“We did not want to launch with just an app and a hope; we wanted to launch with a community that believed in our vision from day one,” said the CEO of Miwayz, Nalliah Thayaparan. “To have over 25K trusted driver partners and passengers in our ecosystem before our official launch is the ultimate validation. It proves that Sri Lankans are ready for a platform built on mutual respect, honesty, and fair value.”
Going Beyond the Usual: The Miwayz Promise
Miwayz is engineered specifically to address the daily pain points of Sri Lankan commuters and drivers through three core pillars:
- Total Price Transparency & Best Fair Rates: Passengers will benefit from upfront, highly reliable fare estimates with zero hidden costs, unexpected surges, or predatory price hikes. Miwayz guarantees the best, standard distance-to-fare ratios in the market, ensuring complete peace of mind.
- Uncompromising Safety: To protect both riders and driver-partners, Miwayz features strictly verified profiles, real-time live trip tracking, and a dedicated 24/7 localized support team ready to assist at any moment.
- Everyday Convenience & Passenger Perks: Designed as an all-in-one lifestyle companion, the platform integrates seamless ride-hailing options with everyday essentials, including the upcoming rollout of Miwayz Food featuring local culinary favorites. To celebrate the launch, passengers will receive an exclusive 50% discount on their first 5 rides during the first three months of operation.
Strategic Powerhouse Collaboration with Dialog Axiata
To enhance the overall mobility experience for both passengers and driver-partners, MiWayz has entered into a strategic partnership with Dialog Touch, Sri Lanka’s leading fleet and fuel management platform. The collaboration introduces innovative payment and rewards capabilities that deliver greater convenience to riders while creating tangible value for driver-partners.
Through this partnership, Dialog Touch users can now seamlessly use their Touch Card as a payment method within the MiWayz app, enabling a fast, secure, and cashless payment experience for every journey. In addition, MiWayz driver-partners will benefit from fuel vouchers powered through the Dialog Touch platform, a first-of-its-kind rewards initiative introduced by Touch to recognize and support drivers with meaningful savings on fuel expenses.
Long-Term Support Alliance with TVS
To match its digital strength with on-the-ground sustainability, MiWayz has secured a pivotal strategic partnership with TVS. Focused entirely on providing long-term operational support to the platform’s growing driver-partner community, TVS is introducing immediate, tangible cost-saving benefits on the road. Under this landmark alliance, registered MiWayz driver-partners will gain exclusive access to:
- Exclusive Discounts on Spare Parts: Deep cost reductions on essential vehicular components to reduce overall maintenance costs.
- Specialized Vehicle Services: Tailored, high-priority maintenance and repair services at TVS Own Service Centers
- Valuable Vehicle Trade-In Offers: Highly attractive trade-in opportunities allowing drivers to upgrade their vehicles easily and sustainably.
Representing the alliance, Geethal Anthony, CEO – TVS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd remarked, “We are incredibly proud to partner with MiWayz on this journey of sustainable urban empowerment. At TVS, we believe that true market innovation comes from putting tangible value back into the hands of the community. By providing long-term support structures—specifically through exclusive discounts on spare parts, specialized services, and accessible trade-in options—we are ensuring that driver-partners can significantly lower their operational overheads. This partnership sets a new benchmark for shared economic growth and corporate responsibility in Sri Lanka’s mobility landscape.”
Investing Directly in People: The Direct Reinvestment Model
In a progressive move, Miwayz is channeling its core resources directly into the pockets of its users and partners through a long-term Direct Reinvestment Model.
Rather than focusing on short-term market noise, the company is redirecting its operational capital to create sustained, long-term value additions:
- For Driver-Partners: Enhanced welfare programs, sustainable financial incentives, and long-term professional development pathways that elevate their livelihoods alongside TVS’s operational discounts.
- For Passengers: Consistent loyalty rewards, highly competitive daily pricing structures, and community-driven promotions that provide tangible economic relief in their daily travel budgets.
“We believe the best way to grow is not by plastering billboards, but by enriching the lives of the people who use our platform,” the CEO added. “By investing directly in our drivers and passengers, we are building a sustainable, loyal ecosystem that benefits Sri Lanka for the long haul.”
Availability
The Miwayz passenger and driver applications are now officially available for download on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Commuters and drivers across Sri Lanka are invited to download the app today to experience mobility and lifestyle convenience their way.
About Miwayz
Miwayz is a next-generation, community-first lifestyle and smart mobility platform based in Sri Lanka. Committed to elevating the urban travel experience, Miwayz combines advanced ride-hailing technology, transparent pricing, robust safety standards, and merchant delivery ecosystems to create a fairer, more efficient way for communities to connect, move, and thrive.


Business
Successful government securities auctions anchor yield curve amid subdued trading
The secondary market yield curve remained broadly stable during the past week as subdued trading activity persisted around the Treasury Bond auction. Meanwhile, weighted average yields at the weekly Treasury Bill auction recorded declines across all tenors, First Capital Research stated in its latest weekly report.
According to the report, secondary market activity opened on a cautious note with selling interest emerging ahead of the T-Bond auction, causing a slight upward adjustment in yields amid moderate trading volumes. As the week progressed, investor participation remained muted, with market participants largely staying on the sidelines in anticipation of the auction, keeping the yield curve broadly unchanged.
Following the successful completion of the bond auction, the market witnessed mixed sentiment, with selling pressure concentrated at the short end and buying interest emerging in longer-dated maturities. However, activity remained subdued, and the yield curve largely held its ground through the weekend.
At the Treasury Bond auction held on July 13, 2026, the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) successfully raised the full offered amount of LKR 150.0 billion. This comprised LKR 70.0 billion through the 2030 maturity, LKR 50.0 billion through the 2034 maturity, and LKR 30.0 billion through the 2037 maturity, at weighted average yields of 11.57%, 12.04%, and 12.58%, respectively.
Similarly, at the weekly Treasury Bill auction held on July 15, 2026, the PDMO raised the full offered amount of LKR 120.0 billion. The 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month bills raised LKR 55.0 billion, LKR 35.0 billion, and LKR 30.0 billion, respectively. Weighted average yields declined across all tenors, with the 3-month bill easing by 8 basis points (bps) to 10.13%, the 6-month bill by 3 bps to 10.27%, and the 12-month bill by 1 bp to 10.20%.
On the external front, the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) depreciated against the US Dollar, closing the week at LKR 336.3/USD compared to LKR 334.7/USD seen previously. Market liquidity within the banking system expanded significantly, starting the week at LKR 125.89 billion and closing higher at LKR 157.19 billion.
Thus the market data may highlight a clear divergence between short-term liquidity comfort and long-term caution, which points toward a gradual steepening of the yield curve in the near term.
The emergence of buying interest in longer-dated maturities (2034 and 2037) shows that institutional investors are eager to lock in double-digit yields while liquidity is high. This institutional support will likely place a temporary ceiling on long-term rates.
The mild depreciation of the rupee (moving to LKR 336.3/USD) acts as a cautionary counter-signal. If the currency continues to face pressure, it could limit how far short-term yields can fall, flattening the curve back out.
Business
CSE sees lack of investor participation, market turnover remains thin
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a quiet trading session on Friday, with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) edging marginally lower down by 42.16 points or 0.20% to close at 21,405.41.
Market turnover remained thin, coming in at Rs. 0.72 billion (approximately US$ 2.2 million), reflecting a general lack of investor participation as most sectors encountered downward pressure.
A total of 31.94 million shares changed hands across 13,397 trades, resulting in a negative market breadth where declining counters outpaced gainers 127 to 91. Blue-chip counters Sampath Bank PLC (SAMP), Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC), and John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) anchored the day’s market turnover, while a notable off-market crossing was recorded in Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC (LLUB). Trading volume in SAMP alone was highly concentrated, accounting for 12% of the day’s total turnover.
Sector performance remained mixed, with the Banking sector emerging as the most actively traded, posting a modest gain of 0.18%. The Health Care Equipment & Services sector secured the spot as the day’s best performer, rising by 0.55%.
Conversely, the Household & Personal Products sector faced the steepest decline, dropping 1.95% to finish as the worst-performing sector of the day. In terms of individual movements, Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide PLC [Voting] (PINS.N) led the gainers, advancing by 6.11%, while Agstar PLC (AGPL.N) emerged as the top loser, shedding 9.09%.
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