Sri Lanka’s electrical and electronic component exports increased by 61.05% during the first nine months of 2026, reaching US$508.86 million, even as the country’s much larger apparel and textile sector recorded a decline in export earnings.
The figures were released by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board on October 26.
The electronics sector recorded strong growth in insulated wires, cables, electrical transformers and other manufactured components.
Apparel and textile exports fell by 5.68% during the same period, reaching US$3.78 billion.
Electronics sector adds approximately US$193 million
The Export Development Board reported that electrical and electronic component exports reached US$508.86 million between January and September.
The sector recorded year-on-year growth of 61.05%.
Calculations by Lakbima News, using the published growth rate, place the corresponding 2025 earnings at approximately US$316 million.
That indicates an increase of roughly US$193 million.
The calculation is approximate because the EDB’s published growth rate is rounded.
US$508.86 million: January–September 2026 earnings.
61.05%: Reported annual growth.
Approximately US$316 million: Calculated comparable 2025 earnings.
Approximately US$193 million: Calculated additional earnings.
Cables and electrical equipment record gains
Exports of insulated wires and cables increased by 82.59% during the nine-month period.
Switches, boards and panels recorded growth of 31.49%, while electrical transformers increased by 33.46%.
The EDB also reported a 234.82% increase in exports of telephone sets and audio-visual equipment and parts.
Exports within the category covering boilers, piston engines, pumps and vacuum pumps increased by 508.71%.
These percentages describe changes in export earnings. The EDB announcement does not provide corresponding changes in production volumes for every product category.
Apparel remains much larger despite decline
Apparel and textile exports generated US$3.78 billion during January–September 2026.
That was 5.68% below the corresponding period of 2025.
Apparel exports alone declined by 5.36% to US$3.51 billion.
Textile exports fell by 9.66% to US$270.39 million.
The EDB attributed the contraction partly to weaker demand in major overseas markets.
Exports to the United States declined by 3.83% during the nine-month period. The European Union recorded a 5.54% reduction, while exports to the United Kingdom fell by 10.41%.
| Export sector | Jan–Sep 2026 | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and electronic components | US$508.86m | +61.05% |
| Apparel and textiles | US$3,783.76m | -5.68% |
| Rubber-based products | US$773.88m | +8.44% |
| Processed food and beverages | US$526.31m | +20.90% |
September records further electronics growth
Electrical and electronic component exports reached US$68.54 million in September alone.
That represented an 88.35% increase compared with September 2025.
The EDB identified insulated wires and cables as an important contributor, with exports in that category increasing by 114.62% during the month.
The figures suggest that the sector’s expansion continued into September.
However, the release does not identify individual companies responsible for the increase or disclose new employment figures.
Industrial expansion plans remain separate
The government recently announced plans to establish 18 industrial zones as part of its investment promotion programme.
The export figures do not establish whether any of the proposed zones have secured investment commitments from electronics manufacturers.
The EDB’s latest data confirms an increase in earnings from existing export activity. The scale of new manufacturing investment will depend on separately documented projects and company commitments.
