Sri Lanka’s exports rise 5% to US$13.6 billion in first nine months of 2026

Daily Mirror, Lanka Business Online, Newsfirst and Newswire report that Sri Lanka earned $13.61 billion from total exports during January to September 2026, a 5.04% increase from $12.96 billion in the same period of 2025. Ada Derana and Hiru News (සිංහල) also report the overall result, rounding it to $13.6 billion.

Lanka Business Online reports that merchandise exports rose 5.35% to $10.76 billion from $10.22 billion, using Sri Lanka Customs figures alongside Export Development Board estimates for gems and jewellery and petroleum products. It reports services exports grew 3.88% to $2.85 billion, compared with $2.74 billion a year earlier.

Lanka Business Online reports September total exports of $1.69 billion, up 17.23% from $1.44 billion in September 2025. It says merchandise exports increased 21.66% to $1.39 billion, while services exports grew 0.67% to $306.17 million. EconomyNext also reports September merchandise growth of 21.66%, attributing it to electronic components, spices and petroleum products; its account gives the merchandise total as $1.38 billion.

EconomyNext reports that September services exports increased from a year earlier, with financial services up 166.04% to $7.64 million and transport and logistics up 23.32% to $167.90 million. It reports construction earnings fell 43.05% to $6.82 million and ICT/BPM earnings declined 19.15% to $123.81 million. For January–September, EconomyNext gives estimated services exports of $2,850.63 million, up 3.88% year on year. Lanka Business Online says sustaining export growth will require strengthening competitiveness and diversifying export earnings.