Located in the Indian Ocean, off the southeast coast of India, lies the island nation of Sri Lanka, formally known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. As per Sri Lanka import data, Colombo, the nation's largest metropolis and economic center, is the primary hub for international shipping and trade. Sri Lanka's GDP in 2024 was estimated to be over USD 99 billion (PPP), with merchandise imports of about USD 18.9 billion, according to import statistics. According to Sri Lanka customs data, this illustrates how Sri Lanka's indigenous industry and expanding population are heavily dependent on imported petroleum, machinery, textiles, and other necessities.