Responding to the policy measures taken in the first quarter of 2012, expenditure on imports continued to decline in May 2012 and amounted to US dollars 1,575 million, thus recording a year-on-year decline of 6.4 per cent, the Bank further said.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to major projects during the first five months of 2012 are estimated at US dollars 437 million.

Investments at the Colombo Stock Exchange increased by US dollars 187 million, on a net basis, by end June 2012.