The Sri Lanka Export Development Board stated that Sri Lanka recorded export earnings of US$ 1,467 million in March 2026, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at a press conference, EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe noted that US$ 1,180 million came from merchandise exports, while US$ 286 million was generated from service exports.
The March performance marked a 9% increase compared to February, although it reflected a 5.2% decline year-on-year due to disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Several sectors showed strong growth during the month, including coconut-based products, electronics, food and beverages, gems and jewellery, and information technology (IT).
Regionally, while exports to Latin America declined, Sri Lanka recorded notable gains in European, African, and Asian markets. However, export earnings from the Middle East dropped sharply by 48% in March.
Overall, Sri Lanka earned US$ 4,308 million in export revenue during the first quarter of 2026, with US$ 3,387 million from merchandise exports and US$ 921 million from services.
This represents a nearly 2% increase compared to the same period last year, with the EDB noting that maintaining growth despite external challenges is a positive sign for the country’s export sector.
