Sri Lanka has reduced its daily vehicle import expenditure to US$3.9 million following measures introduced to manage import demand amid ongoing economic pressures, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando said.

Speaking in Parliament on Friday (12), Fernando said vehicle imports had averaged US$5.27 million per day under normal conditions in 2025.He noted that import spending had at one stage increased to US$6.8 million per day due to heightened public demand and uncertainty surrounding the country’s economic outlook.According to the Deputy Minister, the government introduced a series of measures, including appeals to the public to limit vehicle imports and mechanisms aimed at controlling the volume of vehicles entering the country.Fernando said the measures had already produced results.

“During the first eight working days of June, excluding public holidays, Sri Lanka spent US$31.72 million on vehicle imports, averaging US$3.9 million per day,” he told Parliament.Fernando said the latest figures indicate that vehicle import expenditure has declined beyond the level initially projected by the government.The Deputy Minister said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had created economic shocks that continue to affect Sri Lanka, particularly through increased pressure on fuel prices and foreign exchange markets.He warned that if the crisis escalates further, authorities would need to closely monitor its impact on the economy, especially in relation to foreign exchange demand and import costs.