According to data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated by 5.6% against the US dollar in 2025. This downturn marks a shift from the previous two years when the rupee experienced significant gains, appreciating by 12.1% in 2023 and an additional 10.7% in 2024 against the US dollar.
In 2025, the rupee not only weakened against the US dollar but also lost ground against all major international currencies. CBSL data indicates that the local currency depreciated by 16.3% against the euro and 12% against the British pound over the year.
The rupee’s decline extended to regional and other key currencies as well. It fell by 9.6% against the Chinese yuan, 5.6% against the Japanese yen, 12.2% against the Australian dollar, and 1% against the Indian rupee.
The Central Bank noted that this depreciation reflects broader movements across major currencies during the year.
