The Central Bank Annual Report: What A/L Students Actually Need to Read

January 23, 2026

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In the world of A/L Economics, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Annual Report is often called the “Bible.” Teachers mention it constantly. Exam questions are directly based on its analysis.

But let’s be honest: It is a massive document filled with complex jargon and endless tables. Do you really need to read all 300+ pages?

The answer is No. You just need to know where to look. Here is how to use the Central Bank Report to boost your essay marks without wasting time.

1. Focus on “Chapter 1: State of the Economy”

You do not need to read the deep technical breakdowns of every single sector.

The Strategy: For A/L students, Chapter 1 (usually titled “Economic, Price and Financial System Stability, Outlook and Policies”) is the most important.
Why: It provides the “Executive Summary” of the entire year. It explains why inflation happened, why the rupee crashed (or stabilized), and what the government did about it. This is exactly what essay questions ask for.

2. Don’t Memorize Every Number (Pick the “Big 5”)

You cannot memorize a thousand statistics. Focus on the “Big 5” indicators that you can use in almost any Macroeconomics essay:

Economic Growth Rate (GDP Growth): Is it positive or negative?
Inflation Rate (CCPI/NCPI): What was the peak?
Unemployment Rate: specifically youth unemployment.
Budget Deficit: As a % of GDP.
Trade Balance: Did exports exceed imports?

Pro Tip: Don’t just memorize the number; memorize the trend. (e.g., “Unemployment increased compared to the previous year due to the industrial sector slowdown.”)

3. Use the “Graphs” to Understand Concepts

The report is full of colorful charts. These are often easier to understand than the text.

The Strategy: Look at the Sectoral Composition of GDP pie chart. It visually shows you how Agriculture, Industry, and Services contribute to our economy. This helps you answer questions about structural changes in the Sri Lankan economy.
Exam Hack: If you can reproduce a simplified version of a CBSL trend chart in your essay, examiners will be impressed.

4. How to Cite It in an Exam Answer

Using data is good; citing the source is better.

Bad: “Inflation was high last year.”
Good: “According to the 2024 Central Bank Annual Report, headline inflation peaked at [X]%, driven largely by supply-side shocks.”
Why: This adds credibility to your answer. It shows you aren’t guessing.