August 10, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has recorded more than US$5 billion in remittances from citizens working overseas during the first seven months of 2026, highlighting the continued importance of migrant earnings to the country’s foreign exchange position.
Data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka show that remittance inflows reached US$5.3824 billion between January and July, compared with US$4.4352 billion during the same period in 2025.
The latest figure represents an increase of US$947.2 million year-on-year, underlining a substantial improvement in the flow of foreign currency sent home by Sri Lankan workers abroad.
The upward trend also continued in July, when monthly remittance receipts stood at US$777.6 million. This was US$80.3 million higher than the US$697.3 million recorded in June.
The sustained growth in remittances provides an important source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka, while also supporting households that depend on income earned by family members working overseas.
The latest figures indicate that overseas employment continues to make a significant contribution to the country’s external finances, with the cumulative inflow for the year already exceeding the US$5 billion threshold well before the end of 2026.