Vehicle Import Expenditure Drops 34% in September
Summary
Sri Lanka’s expenditure on vehicle imports declined by 34% year-on-year in September 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year, according to the latest External Sector Performance Report released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). During September, the […]
Sri Lanka’s expenditure on vehicle imports declined by 34% year-on-year in September 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year, according to the latest External Sector Performance Report released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
During September, the total outlay for private and commercial vehicle imports stood at USD 188 million, maintaining a level similar to the USD 189 million recorded in August. Cumulative expenditure on vehicle imports for the first nine months of the year (January to September) reached USD 1,871 million.
Despite the contraction in import spending, total vehicle registrations in September surged by 18% month-on-month compared to August. Data from JB Securities indicates that overall vehicle registrations increased from 45,811 units in August to 54,214 units in September.
The growth in vehicle registrations was predominantly driven by the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments, with motorcycle registrations expanding to 38,747 units during the month.
Source: Ceylon Today