Monetary policy framework in Sri Lanka and its impact on the financial sector: A review

Abstract

Monetary policy is a prominent stabilization mechanism often used to accomplish price and economic stability in a country. The success of monetary policy depends on the operating economic environment, the institutional framework adopted, and the choice and mix of the instruments used. The aim of this paper was to review the evolution of the monetary policy framework in Sri Lanka and its impact on the financial sector. The review is important, and monetary policy is intended to impact aggregate spending in the economy to contribute to the goals of full employment, price stability, sustainable economic growth, and balance of payments equilibrium. The paper reviewed more than twenty-five research and review papers using a thematic approach. The paper explains the historical evolution of monetary policy regimes in Sri Lanka and the reasons for adopting various monetary and exchange rate policy regimes from time to time. The review considers national and international studies on monetary policy regimes and their impact on the financial system. The paper concludes that the Currency Board could not influence the money supply in any way, and until the adoption of open economy policies in 1977 under the fixed exchange rate regimes, the Central Bank had no control over domestic inflation. The review also identifies that flexible inflation targeting is the international best practice of Central Banking, and flexible inflation targeting enables the maintenance of low inflation, thereby helping economies achieve a high and stable growth path. However, it emphasizes that it should be maintained sustainably subject to several conditions through government intervention.