Trade snapshot
- Currency
- Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
Top Indian exports to Sri Lanka
| Product group | Value (US$ bn, CY2025) |
|---|---|
| Petroleum products | 0.67 |
| Vehicles | 0.59 |
| Machinery | 0.33 |
| Ships/boats | 0.33 |
| Cotton yarn/fabric | 0.29 |
| Pharmaceuticals | 0.27 |
| Knitted fabric | 0.24 |
| Sugar | 0.16 |
HS-chapter level, UN Comtrade calendar-year data.
What India imports from Sri Lanka
| Product group | Value (US$ bn, CY2025) |
|---|---|
| Animal feed/oilcake | 0.13 |
| Ships/boats | 0.13 |
| Aircraft parts | 0.12 |
| Tea/spices | 0.11 |
| Fruit & nuts | 0.09 |
| Woven apparel | 0.05 |
Regulators and import rules in Sri Lanka
Key bodies: Sri Lanka Customs (ASYCUDA); Import & Export Control Dept (licences); SLSI (Sri Lanka Standards Institution — Import Inspection Scheme for listed products); NMRA (medicines/devices/cosmetics); Food Control Administration Unit, MoH (Food Act, labelling); National Plant Quarantine Service; Dept of Animal Production & Health.
Shipping from India to Sri Lanka
Main ports and entry points: Colombo (SAGT/CICT/JCT, South Asia's main transhipment hub); Hambantota; Trincomalee. Air: CMB
Indian community
1,607,500 (PIO 1,600,000 — Tamils of Indian origin + NRI 7,500) [S6]
Frequently asked questions
How much does India export to Sri Lanka?
US$4.55 bn in FY2024-25 (DGCI&S quick estimates), led by petroleum products, vehicles, machinery.
Does India have a free trade agreement with Sri Lanka?
India–Sri Lanka FTA (ISFTA) in force since 2000 (goods; negative lists); ETCA (services/investment) negotiations resumed 2024–25 but not concluded; SAFTA [S7][S9]
How long is shipping from India to Sri Lanka?
Typically 2–4 d Nhava Sheva/Tuticorin/Chennai → Colombo (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days at sea (estimate), depending on port pair and routing.
Which authorities regulate imports in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka Customs (ASYCUDA); Import & Export Control Dept (licences); SLSI (Sri Lanka Standards Institution — Import Inspection Scheme for listed products); NMRA (medicines/devices/cosmetics); Food Control Administration Unit, MoH (Food Act, labelling).
Sourcing for Sri Lanka?
Tell us the product, quantity and your port.