Business
Trade deficit shrinks for third consecutive month
External Sector Performance – May 2022
The import expenditure declined, while earnings from exports increased in May 2022, year-on-year, extending the contraction in the trade deficit for the third consecutive month. Meanwhile, tourist arrivals slowed in May 2022, compared to the previous month. Workers’ remittances increased in May 2022, compared to April 2022.
Foreign investment in the government securities market and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded marginal net inflows during May 2022. Considering the liquidity pressures witnessed in the domestic foreign exchange market, the Central Bank imposed cash margin requirements in May 2022, while the Government introduced restrictions on open accounts and consignment payments terms, among others. These measures were expected to curtail activity in the informal foreign exchange market and narrow the gap between the official and grey market exchange rates. Meanwhile, the weighted average spot exchange rate in the interbank market remained stable around Rs. 359 per US dollar during the month, helped by the measures introduced to manage pressures in the domestic foreign exchange market, along with the market guidance.
Merchandise Trade Balance and Terms of Trade
Trade Balance: The trade deficit recorded a decline for the fifth consecutive month on month-on-month basis and for the third consecutive month on year-on-year basis in May 2022, supported mainly by the policy induced moderation of imports, along with the notable growth momentum of exports. The trade deficit narrowed to US dollars 404 million in May 2022, compared to the deficit of US dollars 716 million recorded in May 2021. On a cumulative basis, trade deficit narrowed on a year-on-year basis for the first time in May during this year. Accordingly, the trade deficit during January-May 2022 narrowed to US dollars 3,535 million, from US dollars 3,663 million recorded over the same period in 2021. The major contributory factors for this decline in the cumulative trade deficit are shown in Figure 1.
Terms of Trade: Terms of trade, i.e., the ratio of the price of exports to the price of imports, deteriorated notably by 18.5 per cent in May 2022, compared to May 2021, as the increase in import prices surpassed the increase in export prices.
Performance of Merchandise Exports1
Overall exports: Earnings from merchandise exports in May 2022 increased substantially by 17.5 per cent over the corresponding month in 2021, recording at US dollars 1,047 million. An increase in earnings was observed in industrial exports, while a decline was recorded in agricultural exports and mineral exports. The cumulative export earnings during January-May 2022 increased by 12.2 per cent over the same period in the last year, amounting to US dollars 5,266 million.
Industrial exports: Earnings from the export of industrial goods increased in May 2022 by 24.2 per cent, compared to May 2021. A broad-based increase in earnings among industrial goods has been recorded, with the greatest share for the overall increase mainly being contributed by garments. Export of garments to all major markets (such as the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom) improved. Further, gems, diamonds and jewellery and petroleum products also contributed to this increase in exports. Earnings from the export of petroleum products improved due to the increase in both average export prices and volumes of bunker fuel exports. Meanwhile, continuing the lower demand for rubber gloves as a personal protective item due to declining spread of Covid-19 worldwide, a decline in earnings was reported in rubber products. Export earnings from animal fodder and plastics and articles also declined during the month.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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