Sri Lanka's total export earnings exceeded US$10 billion during the first six months of 2026, according to the latest External Sector Performance Report released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
The report states that overall export earnings increased by 3.3%, driven by continued growth in merchandise exports.
However, the country's trade deficit widened to US$5.5 billion, as import expenditure rose at a faster pace than export earnings.
The report further notes that higher spending on fuel and motor vehicle imports placed significant pressure on the external sector.
Meanwhile, workers' remittances provided a major boost to the economy, recording an increase of more than 23% compared to the same period last year.
