Senior Economist – Central Bank of Sri Lanka job vacancies 2026

Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL)

Senior Economist – Economic Research Department

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is seeking distinguished, research-driven economic professionals to join its premier Economic Research Department. As a Senior Economist, you will be at the forefront of national economic policy formulation, macroeconomic analysis, and advanced econometric forecasting.

This role offers a unique opportunity for high-calibre economists to shape Sri Lanka’s monetary policies and economic strategies across two specialized avenues:

1. Money and Banking, Balance of Payments & Real Sector Divisions
2. Modelling and Forecasting Division

Position Overview

• Role Title: Senior Economist
• Institution: Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL)
• Department: Economic Research Department
• Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Employment Type: Permanent (Subject to successful completion of probation)
• Experience Required: Minimum 5 Years of relevant post-graduate experience
• Application Deadline: August 23, 2026

Key Responsibilities

1. Money and Banking, Balance of Payments & Real Sector Divisions

• Policy Research & Analysis: Execute high-impact economic research and technical evaluations covering external sector dynamics, monetary trends, real economy shifts, and financial sector stability.
• Data & Analytics Management: Maintain, refine, and interpret complex macroeconomic databases, statistical models, and analytical tools.
• Executive Reporting: Draft policy briefs, empirical research papers, and technical reports for executive leadership, government committees, and public dissemination.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the CBSL in technical committees, inter-agency working groups, and collaborative projects with international financial institutions.
• Departmental Mentorship: Guide junior economists and research assistants, contributing to structural capacity-building within the department.

2. Modelling and Forecasting Division

• Advanced Econometric Modelling: Formulate, recalibrate, and implement structural and semi-structural macroeconomic models (including DSGE frameworks).
• Scenario & Risk Analysis: Generate medium-to-long-term macroeconomic projections, conducting stress tests and policy simulations to evaluate economic shocks.
• Monetary Policy Support: Provide quantitative backing and model-based insights for decision-making by the Monetary Policy Board.
• Software Implementation: Leverage modern econometric tools and programming software to automate and refine analytical workflows.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualifications

1. Master’s Degree: A Master’s degree specializing in Economics or a closely related discipline from a university ranked within the Top 500 globally (under QS, ARWU, or Times Higher Education rankings) at the time of application.
2. Bachelor’s Degree: A minimum 3-year Bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class (Upper Division), a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0, or a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75%+ in one of the following fields:
   • Economics / Public Policy
   • Mathematics / Statistics / Data Science
   • Engineering / Computer Science / IT
   • Finance / Accounting / Banking / Commerce / Business Administration

Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of post-Bachelor’s degree relevant professional experience.
• Note: Full-time postgraduate study years (up to a maximum of 3 years) can be counted toward the 5-year experience requirement.

Essential Competencies

• Proven command over macroeconomic theory, quantitative research, and policy evaluation.
• Exceptional technical writing skills and capability to articulate complex economic ideas to non-technical stakeholders.
• For the Modelling Division: Demonstrable experience with tools such as MATLAB, Dynare, IRIS, EViews, Python, or R.

About Us: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Established under the Monetary Law Act, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) serves as the country’s premier monetary authority. CBSL is tasked with maintaining domestic price stability, ensuring financial system resilience, and advising the government on economic policy. Through its Economic Research Department, the Bank delivers evidence-based policy research, official economic statistics, and independent evaluations that underpin national fiscal and monetary stability. Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) website

Key Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive Salary: Attractive remuneration aligned with the official CBSL executive salary scale.
• Financial Benefits: Access to concessionary staff loan facilities, Provident Fund (EPF), and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF).
• Healthcare & Retirement: Comprehensive medical benefit coverage for staff and dependents, alongside institutional pension schemes.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities to participate in international economic forums, research publications, and specialized training programs with global institutions (e.g., IMF, World Bank, BIS).

Career Guide: Preparing Your CV for This Role

1. Highlight Academic Credentials: Clearly list your university’s global ranking (QS/THE/ARWU) at the time of your degree completion, along with your exact GPA/WAM or degree class.
2. Emphasize Quantitative & Research Outputs: Detail published research papers, policy briefs, or economic forecasting models you have designed or managed.
3. Specify Technical Tools: Explicitly state your proficiency levels in statistical and econometric software (e.g., MATLAB, Dynare, EViews, STATA, Python).
4. Detail Policy Impact: Quantify the scope of your research—mention specific projects where your analysis influenced institutional policy or financial strategy.

How to Prepare for the Interview

• Macroeconomic Principles & Current Affairs: Be ready to critically analyze Sri Lanka’s current monetary policy stance, balance of payments dynamics, inflation trends, and external debt restructuring process.
• Model Derivations & Applied Econometrics: For the Modelling stream, review DSGE models, impulse-response functions, VAR models, and structural forecasting methodologies.
• Policy Case Studies: Practice answering situational questions regarding how you would respond to sudden external economic shocks or domestic supply constraints.
• Structure & Presentation: Communicate your answers using structured frameworks—explain the economic problem, the methodology used for analysis, the findings, and the policy recommendation.

How to Apply

1. Review Prerequisites: Ensure both your undergraduate performance (GPA/Class) and postgraduate university rankings strictly match the CBSL criteria.
2. Gather Documentation: Prepare certified copies of degree certificates, transcripts, university ranking proofs, work experience letters, and an updated CV.
3. Official Application Channel: Submit your application via the official CBSL web portal (www.cbsl.gov.lk) under the Careers section, or strictly follow the submission instructions outlined in the official Sri Lanka Government Gazette / CBSL press advertisement before August 23, 2026. More Jobs

Disclaimer

This document is an independent summary created for informational and career guidance purposes only. It is not an official publication of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Qualifications, duties, selection processes, and application guidelines are subject to change by the issuing authority. Applicants are strongly advised to verify all details against the official notification published on the CBSL website or the Sri Lanka Government Gazette before applying.