Sri Lanka, Nov. 3 -- Sri Lanka's external sector recorded a monthly current account deficit in September 2025, following consecutive monthly current account surpluses registered during January-August 2025. However, cumulative current account surplus for the first nine months is estimated at USD 1.9 billion, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka issuing Lank's external sector performance for September 2025 said.
The merchandise trade deficit recorded a year-on-year expansion in September 2025, as import expenditure exceeded USD 2 billion, primarily driven by a surge in vehicle imports. Vehicle imports (personal and commercial vehicles) totaled USD 286 million in September 2025, with cumulative vehicle imports reaching USD 1,204 million in the fi...