Sri Lanka’s Export Earnings Cross $10 Billion Mark in First Half of 2026

Sri Lanka’s total export earnings surpassed the US$ 10 billion mark within the first six months of 2026, according to the latest External Sector Performance report released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Driven by steady growth in merchandise exports, the country’s overall export revenue recorded a 3.3% increase compared to the corresponding period last year.

However, the report highlights that import expenditure grew at a faster pace than export revenue during this period. As a result, the merchandise trade deficit widened significantly to US$ 5.5 billion.

The Central Bank noted that rising expenditure on fuel and motor vehicle imports exerted considerable pressure on the external sector. On a positive note, workers’ remittances showed strong resilience, registering a growth of over 23%, providing crucial support to the country’s economic stability.

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