COLOMBO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's export earnings rose by 7 percent year-on-year to nearly 13 billion U.S. dollars by the end of September 2025 this year, underpinned by robust performance in both goods and services, according to data from the Export Development Board.

Between January and September, total exports reached 12.986 billion dollars. In September alone, total exports amounted to 1.469 billion dollars, up 12.33 percent from September 2024.

Merchandise exports for the first nine months rose by 7.59 percent to 10.24 billion dollars. In September, merchandise exports grew by 15.02 percent year-on-year, reaching 1.16 billion dollars.

Services exports over the same period increased by 4.48 percent, totaling 2.74 billion dollars. In September, services earnings were estimated at 306.09 million dollars.

The United States remained Sri Lanka's largest single export market in the first three quarters of this year, followed by India, Britain, Germany and Italy. ■