Sri Lanka keeps policy rates steady

The repurchase and reverse repurchase rates would remain unchanged at 7.50 per cent and 9.50 per cent, respectively, after they were reduced by a 0.25 basis points in a surprise move in December.

Inflation which continued to rise from February to July last year had eased in December to 9.2 per cent.

"Inflation is projected to moderate from March 2013 and reach mid-single digit levels thereafter," the Central Bank said.

The bank said it will closely monitor credit expansion which would be adequate to deliver a growth of 7.5 per cent in 2013.

The private sector credit growth had declined to 20.7 per cent by November last year from a peak of 35.2 per cent in March.

The government's fiscal targets saw decline in public sector credit.

The trade deficit had also slid in 2012 and the economy was further boosted by earnings from trade, workers' remittances and investment inflows, the Central Bank said.