Sri Lanka's Current Account Surplus Surges 44% in 2025 📈

Sri Lanka concluded 2025 with a current account surplus of US$ 1.7 Bn, a 43.8% increase YoY, driven by record remittances and service inflows despite a widening trade deficit. • External Sector Highlights: The surplus was anchored by workers' remittances, which hit a historic high of US$ 8 Bn (+22.8% YoY). Net inflows from services rose to US$ 3.7 Bn, supported by a 170.4% YoY surge in December alone. • Trade Performance: The trade deficit widened as imports grew by 14% to US$ 21.47 Bn, significantly impacted by vehicle imports exceeding US$ 2 Bn. Exports grew more modestly by 6.3% to US$ 13.58 Bn. • Tourism & Investment: Tourism earnings saw a marginal 1.6% annual growth to US$ 3.2 Bn, despite arrivals surpassing 2018 levels. Government securities saw a net inflow of US$ 248 Mn for the year, a reversal from the previous year's outflows. • Reserves & Currency: Gross official reserves stood at US$ 6.8 Bn by year-end. The Sri Lankan Rupee depreciated 5.6% against the US Dollar in 2025 but showed a slight recovery of 0.2% in January 2026. _Data based on provisional Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reports._ ---