Russia and Sri Lanka
Russia and Sri Lanka promote tourism through ministerial contacts and air connections. Cooperation with Russian regions and tour operators seeks to expand exchanges and awareness of Sri Lanka as a destination.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08History and institutional framework
Ruwan Ranasinghe's delegation participated in Moscow's Let’s Travel forum from 10 to 12 June 2026.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, goods trade between Russia and Sri Lanka totalled 563.1 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from Russia to Sri Lanka, at 190.2 million USD in 2025.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 563.1 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Russia to Sri Lanka | 414.05 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Sri Lanka to Russia | 149.05 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Russia to Sri Lanka | ||
| Export share: Sri Lanka to Russia | 1.14 % | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Investment stock: Russia in Sri Lanka | ||
| Investment stock: Sri Lanka in Russia |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade; reporters JOR, JPN, KGZ, LBR, LKA, LVA, MDG, MDV, MHL, MNE · Goods; full calendar year; reporter LKA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Russia to Sri Lanka
- 2025 · UN Comtrade; reporters JOR, JPN, KGZ, LBR, LKA, LVA, MDG, MDV, MHL, MNE · Goods; full calendar year; reporter LKA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Sri Lanka to Russia
- 2025 · UN Comtrade; reporters JOR, JPN, KGZ, LBR, LKA, LVA, MDG, MDV, MHL, MNE · Goods; full calendar year; reporter LKA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Export share: Sri Lanka to Russia
- 2025 · UN Comtrade; reporters JOR, JPN, KGZ, LBR, LKA, LVA, MDG, MDV, MHL, MNE · Exports to the partner / worldwide exports by the same reporter; same year and coverage.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | Russia | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 2.59 trillion USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 108.83 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 17,972.12 USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 5,002.08 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1 %2025 · WB | 4.95 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 14 %2026-09-11 · CBR | |
| Inflation · annual average | 8.72 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | -4.76 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 6.33 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · CBR | |
| Unemployment | 2.13 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 4.01 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -3.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 17.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 1.68 %2025 · WB | 1.21 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 143,997,000IMF est.2025 · IMF | 21,756,0002025 · WB |
| Area | 17,125,190 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 65,610 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
For Russia, GDP, population and GDP per capita are estimates from the same IMF (WEO) dataset for 2025. The per-capita figure published by the IMF is used, rather than a calculation of our own. The earlier World Bank series could not be reconciled and are not mixed with this dataset. Review: 2026-10-07. IMF data terms of use0
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Sri Lanka: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP per capita in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Sri Lanka: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Russia: 2025 · World BankSri Lanka: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Russia: 2026-09-11 · Bank of Russia policy rate · Bank of Russia
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Russia: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankSri Lanka: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedRussia: 2026-08 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Bank of Russia · Published: 2026-09-16 · Year-on-year CPI. The commentary's 6.9% is annualised seasonally adjusted monthly growth and is not used here.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionRussia: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Sri Lanka: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPRussia: 2025 · World BankSri Lanka: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleRussia: 2025 · Population from the WEO series; do not mix with a denominator from another source · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Sri Lanka: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date. Preliminary.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceRussia: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOSri Lanka: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Russia to Sri Lanka
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 190.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 0.508 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 0.457 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0.0362 M USD2025 · Source |
| Meat and edible offal | 0.0113 M USD2025 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 0.000048 M USD2025 · Source |
Sri Lanka to Russia
How trade has changed
Millions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | Russia to Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka to Russia |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 336.8 | 174.5 | 162.4 |
| 2022 | 523.8 | 377.4 | 146.5 |
| 2023 | 541.5 | 395 | 146.4 |
| 2024 | 714.8 | 539.4 | 175.3 |
| 2025 | 563.1 | 414 | 149 |
Connections between people
They agreed to prepare a tourism memorandum and familiarization trips for operators, media and influencers during 2026 and 2027. The note acknowledges Aeroflot and Red Wings flights and describes a visa incentive announced by Sri Lanka; it is not turned into current immigration advice here. The willingness to conclude the memorandum differs from its signing, and planned trips from those already made. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Russia living in Sri Lanka | ||
| Residents from Sri Lanka living in Russia | ||
| Study and training: Russia in Sri Lanka | ||
| Study and training: Sri Lanka in Russia | ||
| Academic stays: Russia in Sri Lanka | ||
| Academic stays: Sri Lanka in Russia | ||
| Travel: Russia to Sri Lanka | ||
| Travel: Sri Lanka to Russia |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
History and institutional framework
Ruwan Ranasinghe's delegation participated in Moscow's Let’s Travel forum from 10 to 12 June 2026. The delegation met federal officials and officials from Sverdlovsk and Saint Petersburg. [1]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for Russia is 2,587.9 billion USD (2025), compared with 108.8 for Sri Lanka (2025). The reference populations are 144 and 21.76 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Russia was 23.78 times that of Sri Lanka in nominal GDP. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [5] [6] [7] [8]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Cooperation and bilateral issues
They agreed to prepare a tourism memorandum and familiarization trips for operators, media and influencers during 2026 and 2027. The note acknowledges Aeroflot and Red Wings flights and describes a visa incentive announced by Sri Lanka; it is not turned into current immigration advice here. The willingness to conclude the memorandum differs from its signing, and planned trips from those already made. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, merchandise trade between the two countries (Russia and Sri Lanka) totalled 563.1 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 414 million; those in the opposite direction, 149 million. The difference between the two flows was 265 million, in favour of Russia. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [2]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from Sri Lanka to the partner represented 1.14% of its worldwide goods exports in 2025. The share compares the same reporter, year and coverage. It measures export concentration, not the percentage of GDP dependent on this relationship. A partner may be important in a specific sector even if its share of total goods trade is small. [2]
Five years of trade trends
The consistent series shows 336.8 million USD in 2021 and 563.1 million in 2025. The change between the two endpoints was +67.2 % in current dollars. The highest annual value in the period was recorded in 2024, at 714.8 million. The chart allows the two directions to be compared to see whether they moved together or differently. The change combines quantities, prices and exchange rates; it is not automatically attributed to a treaty, a visit or a political decision. The same reporter is retained and missing years are not interpolated. [3]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from Russia to Sri Lanka, at 190.2 million USD in 2025. Within the selected chapters, machinery and mechanical appliances stands out in shipments from Sri Lanka to Russia, at 1.5 million USD in 2025. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [4]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral relations — RUS-LKA
www.mfa.gov.lk · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade; reporters JOR, JPN, KGZ, LBR, LKA, LVA, MDG, MDV, MHL, MNE · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Trade series 2021–2025
UN Comtrade / LKA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade; reporting countries LKA, LTU, LUX, LVA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade; reporting countries LKA, LTU, LUX, LVA
2026-10-08 · Accessed: 2026-10-08 · Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record.