
Sri Lanka’s exports have got off to a positive start in 2019, recording healthy growth and topping the $ 1 billion mark, whilst regulatory measures checked imports, leading to a lower trade deficit in January.The Central Bank yesterday said the deficit in the trade account contracted significantly in January 2019 compared to January 2018, as a result of increased export earnings and a significant reduction in imports, mainly reflecting the impact of policy measures implemented to discourage vehicle and non-essential consumer goods imports.