Sri Lanka's external current account records a US$ 133 million surplus and reserves rise to US$ 6.9 billion
30 September 2026
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported that the external current account recorded a surplus of US$ 133 million in August 2026.
The cumulative trade deficit reached US$ 7.2 billion during January-August 2026.
Workers' remittances increased by 10.0% year-on-year to US$ 749 million in August 2026, with cumulative remittances of US$ 6.1 billion for January-August 2026.
Tourism earnings were estimated at US$ 264 million in August 2026, while cumulative earnings during January-August 2026 declined by 10.0% to US$ 2.1 billion.
Gross official reserves, including the swap facility with the People's Bank of China, increased to US$ 6.9 billion by end August 2026.
In plain words
Current account Record of a country's trade, services, income and transfers — A surplus means more foreign currency came in on these heads than went out.
GOR Gross official reserves — The foreign assets a central bank holds, counted before deducting liabilities.