Sri Lanka Customs record monthly revenue of Rs. 253.15B in September

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2025

Sri Lanka Customs has reported a record-breaking revenue collection for the month of September.

According to official data, Customs generated a revenue of Rs. 253.152 Billion in September this year — marking a 74.6% increase compared to the same period last year.

In September 2024, Customs revenue stood at Rs. 144.969 Billion.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s trade deficit narrowed to USD 414.2 million in August 2025, down from USD 422.3 million recorded in August 2024.

The Central Bank attributes this improvement to higher growth in exports compared to imports.

Commodity export earnings in August 2025 rose by 4.1%, while commodity import expenditure increased by 2.6% during the same period.

Tourist arrivals pass 2.1m for the first time in 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

admin

A total of 212,906 tourists have arrived in the country in the month of November, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows.

According to data released by the SLTDA, a total of 51,391 tourists have arrived from India which accounts to 24.1%. Furthermore, 24,953 persons from Russia, 16,915 from the United Kingdom, 14,518 from Germany and 9,384 Australian nationals have also visited Sri Lanka in the month of November.

Meanwhile, the number of tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in 2025 has increased to 2,103,593 with the release of the latest figures for November.

Among them, 474,796 individuals are from India, 191,742 from the UK, 158,593 from Russia, 131,259 from Germany, 121,671 from China and 101,771 are from France, the SLTDA noted.

Economy

Apple to support relief efforts in flood-hit Sri Lanka

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

admin

Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will contribute to relief and rebuilding efforts across several Asian countries—including Sri Lanka—following days of severe flooding, landslides, and powerful winds.

Cook said that recent storms across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka have devastated communities, extending the company’s condolences to all those affected.

Economy

Management Committee appointed for ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

5 days ago

December 1, 2025

admin

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which aims to rebuild the country after the immense damage caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwa’, one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history.

The fund is to be established as a statutory fund under the Presidential Secretariat, and its Management Committee will comprise representatives from the government and private sectors.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, will serve as its Chairman, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponso will serve as the Convener of the Committee.

Other committee members include:

• President’s Special Envoy for Foreign Investment, Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof
• Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma
• Senior Economic Advisor to the President, Duminda Hulangamuwa
• Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sugeeshwara Gunawardena
• Chairman of the Hayles Group, Mohan Pandithage
• Chairman of John Keells Holdings (JKH), Krishan Balendra
• Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake
• Brandix Group CEO Ashroff Omar
• LOLC Executive Chairman Ishara Nanayakkara