In brief
Sri Lanka’s fuel import expenditure grew by 51.5 % in the first nine months of 2026, reaching $4.49 billion, according to the Central Bank’s External‑Sector Performance report. The rise was driven by higher domestic fuel prices, Middle East conflict, and supply‑chain disruptions including restrictions on vessels passing the Strait of Hormuz. September marked a 5.8 % drop from a year earlier, but the overall bill remained well above 2025 levels.
Central Bank data released on 1 November shows Sri Lanka’s fuel import bill jumped 51.5 % in the first nine months of 2026, reaching $4.49 billion, up from $2.96 billion in the same period last year.
The figure comes from the bank’s External Sector Performance report dated 30 October, which highlighted the country’s growing dependence on imported fuel amid rising domestic prices.
September’s expenditure fell to $415.1 million, a 5.8 % decline from $440.7 million in September 2025, and marked the fifth straight month of a monthly dip.
Experts say the surge was largely due to higher domestic fuel costs triggered by the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
In addition, global supply‑chain hiccups—including sanctions and shipping restrictions through the Strait of Hormuz—pushed up crude oil and petroleum product prices, as well as freight and insurance fees.
Although the September drop is encouraging, the overall import bill remains far above 2025 levels, underscoring Sri Lanka’s continued vulnerability to external energy shocks.
