Sri Lanka’s fuel import bill rises 61.6% in first eight months of 2026

Sri Lanka spent US$4.07 billion on fuel imports during the first eight months of 2026, a 61.6% increase from the corresponding period last year, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Fuel import expenditure between January and August 2025 stood at US$2.52 billion, meaning the country spent an additional US$1.55 billion on fuel imports during the same period this year.

In August alone, Sri Lanka spent US$450.6 million on fuel imports, up 76.5% from US$255.2 million in August 2025.

This represents a year-on-year increase of US$195.4 million for the month.

Expenditure on refined petroleum imports also increased sharply, rising to US$321.9 million in August 2026 from US$202.9 million a year earlier.

The increase amounted to 58.7% year-on-year, according to Central Bank data.