Sri Lanka’s fuel import bill rose to $4.07 billion in the first eight months of 2026, a 61.6% increase over the same period a year earlier.
Sri Lanka spent US$4,072.1 million on fuel imports from January to August 2026, a 61.6% rise from the US$2,520.6 million recorded for the same period in 2025, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
The increase represents an additional US$1,551.5 million compared with the previous year’s eight‑month total.
In August 2026 alone, fuel import expenditure reached US$450.6 million, 76.5% higher than the US$255.2 million spent in August 2025.
Refined petroleum imports for August 2026 were US$321.9 million, up 58.7% from US$202.9 million in August 2025.
All figures are nominal US‑dollar amounts reported by the CBSL and have not been adjusted for inflation or exchange‑rate movements.
The CBSL typically publishes a full‑year import report in early 2027; the next update is expected then.
