2026.01.3012:38:09UTC+00Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widens in December

In December 2025, Sri Lanka experienced an increase in its trade deficit, which reached $997.2 million, compared to $822.7 million in the same month the previous year, due to a greater rise in imports relative to exports. Specifically, the import of goods saw a 12% year-on-year increase, totaling $2,155.2 million, with vehicle acquisitions significantly contributing to this rise. The total value of vehicle imports, encompassing both personal and commercial types, was $301 million in December, culminating in $2,047 million for the year 2025. In parallel, exports grew by 5.1% year-on-year to reach $1,158 million. Throughout 2025, the overall trade deficit expanded to approximately $7.9 billion compared to the preceding year, notwithstanding the fact that export revenues attained a record high. The United States, India, and the United Kingdom continued to be the principal markets for Sri Lankan exports, whereas China, India, and the United Arab Emirates were the predominant suppliers for imports.