Sri Lanka spent US$182 million on motor vehicle imports in June 2026, representing a 27.1% decline from the previous month, according to Central Bank data.
Sri Lanka's expenditure on motor vehicle imports contracted significantly in June 2026, dropping to US$182 million from the previous month, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported. The decline of 27.1% encompassed both personal and commercial vehicles, signaling reduced demand or purchasing power in the automotive sector during the period.
Despite the pronounced monthly decrease, cumulative spending on vehicle imports during the first half of 2026 remained substantial at US$1.25 billion. However, this first-half total reflected a broader downward trend when compared to the second half of 2025, which recorded US$1.57 billion in vehicle import expenditures. The year-on-year comparison suggests a sustained contraction in Sri Lanka's automotive import sector.
The data comes from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka's External Sector Performance report, which monitors the country's trade patterns and foreign exchange spending.
