FX.co ★ Sri Lanka Trade Deficit More Than Doubles in May

Sri Lanka’s trade deficit widened to $968 million in May 2026, up from $473 million in the same month a year earlier—a 104.8% increase—as import growth significantly outstripped export gains. Total imports rose 45.4% to $2.19 billion, driven largely by a 112% surge in fuel import expenditure, reflecting both higher global oil prices and increased import volumes. Exports grew 13.4% to $1.70 billion, supported by an 18.3% rise in goods exports to $1.2 billion, while services exports inched up 2.5% to $475 million. Over the first five months of the year, Sri Lanka’s cumulative trade deficit expanded to $4.66 billion.