Sri Lanka, Nov. 10 -- Sri Lanka recorded an overall budget surplus of Rs.22.3 billion during the first nine months of 2026, reversing a deficit of Rs.441.4 billion in the corresponding period last year, as government revenue increased faster than expenditure, largely driven by taxes on motor vehicle imports.

The figures, published in the latest Fiscal Review Report of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, show that revenue excluding grants rose by 20 percent to Rs.4,594.9 billion from Rs.3,827 billion a year earlier.

Total expenditure increased at a slower pace, rising 7.1 percent to Rs.4,579.3 billion from Rs.4,276.3 billion.

The Ministry attributed the improved fiscal position to higher revenue collections, "tog...