These are securities issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. Since the issuer is the sovereign, these are de facto credit risk-free investments, which is certainly a relief to investors.

Some of the features of GS’s are

• Repayment guaranteed by the Government
• Invested funds are 100 % secured
• Attractive returns
• Highly liquid – can be bought & sold anytime
• Ownership can be transferred easily
• Highly recognized security in the market
• Can be used as a collateral

1. Treasury Bills
2. Treasury Bonds

Eligible Investors:

1. Sri Lankan Citizens
2. Foreign Investors
   
   1. Foreign institutional investors including country funds, regional funds or mutual funds.
   2. Corporate bodies incorporated outside Sri Lanka
   3. Citizens of foreign states whether resident in Sri Lanka or outside Sri Lanka
   4. Non-resident Sri Lankan

Foreign exchange brought into the country for the purchase of treasury bills and treasury bonds, proceeds realized on a sale/maturity of treasury bills and treasury bonds, and coupon payments or any income realized by way of capital gain shall be routed through a rupee "Inward Investment Account" (AIA) opened or already maintained with the bank in the name of an eligible investor.

Treasury Bills

A short term Government Security issued by The Central Bank of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government.

• The Bank issues Treasury Bills at a discount to face value. The difference between the cost & maturity value (face value) will be the interest income of the investor.
• As with any Government Security, Treasury Bills are credit risk-free, since the issuer is the sovereign. They are available in 3, 6 or 12 months.

Some of the features of T-Bills are

• Credit risk-free
• No Debit Tax
• Short term investments
• Can be pledged as collateral for loans
• Can be withdrawn in part, if required

Treasury Bonds

Treasury Bonds are medium to long term Government Securities, issued by The Central Bank of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government. As with any Government Security, Treasury Bonds are risk-free credit investments, since the issuer is the sovereign.

Treasury Bonds are available from 2 to 30 years

Treasury Bonds carry two interest rates

• Coupon Rate: Rate at which semi-annual (every six months) coupons (interest payments) are paid.
• Yield to Maturity (YTM): Overall effective return to earned by investing in the bond and holding it up to the maturity date.

Some of the features of T-Bonds are

• Credit risk-free
• No Debit Tax
• Semiannual coupons provide a stream of interest payments during the investment period
• Can be pledged as collateral for loans
• Can be withdrawn in part, if required