COLOMBO, August 15, 2025 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s vehicle imports have jumped sharply since restrictions were eased in January 2025, but demand is expected to settle once the current surge driven by pent-up demand eases, the Central Bank said in its biannual Monetary Policy Report.
With the policy change, imports of both personal and commercial vehicles picked up strongly from April, pushing total spending on vehicle imports in the first half of 2025 to USD 475 million.
The report, which provides forward-looking analysis on inflation, growth prospects, and risks to projections, said the present spike in demand is temporary. The Central Bank expects the market to return to a more stable trend in the coming months.
By releasing the report, the Central Bank aims to improve transparency and accountability, explaining the reasoning behind its recent monetary policy decisions.
