Feb 17, Colombo: Central Bank of Sri Lanka figures point out that Sri Lanka's export growth declined while the growth of imports increased in the recent past. As a result, the country's trade deficit last year increased to US$ 3.3 billion.

Sri Lankan migrant workers contributed US$ 2.3 billion in 2006 to balance the trade deficit while the balance was covered with foreign debts.

The growth of exports declined from 10.2% in 2005 to 8.4% last year. The decline in the growth of textile exports chiefly contributed to this negative effect. Imports meanwhile increased 15.7% in 2006.