The annual inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, rose to 2.2% in March 2026, up from 1.6% in February. Both food and non-food prices accelerated, increasing by 0.7% from 0.2% and by 2.9% from 2.3%, respectively. The increase in non-food prices was driven primarily by housing and utilities, with household power tariffs rising 7.2% amid climbing energy costs. Sri Lanka, which imports all of its fuel, has also been affected by the ongoing Middle East crisis, with fuel prices increasing by 35%. Additional contributions came from restaurants and hotels, education, health, and transport. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.3%, following a 0.9% decline in the previous month. source: Department of Census and Statistics - Sri Lanka

Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka increased to 2.20 percent in March from 1.60 percent in February of 2026. Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka averaged 9.78 percent from 1986 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 67.40 percent in September of 2022 and a record low of -4.20 percent in February of 2025. This page provides - Sri Lanka Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Sri Lanka Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka increased to 2.20 percent in March from 1.60 percent in February of 2026. Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka is expected to be 5.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Sri Lanka Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 5.50 percent in 2027 and 5.30 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-27 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Feb 1.6% 2.3% 2.7% 2.4%
2026-03-31 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Mar 2.2% 1.6% 2.7% 3%
2026-04-30 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Apr 2.2% 2.9%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 195.80 195.30 points Mar 2026
Core Consumer Prices 197.60 197.90 points Feb 2026
Core Inflation Rate 2.10 2.30 percent Feb 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 137.00 136.60 points Mar 2026
CPI Transportation 228.80 224.40 points Mar 2026
Export Prices 179.84 212.43 points Feb 2026
Food Inflation 0.70 0.20 percent Mar 2026
GDP Implicit Price Deflator 253.00 255.30 points Sep 2025
Import Prices 214.54 236.13 points Feb 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 2.20 1.60 percent Mar 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.30 -0.90 percent Mar 2026
Producer Prices 240.40 242.10 points Feb 2026
PPI YoY 1.10 3.00 percent Feb 2026


Sri Lanka Inflation Rate
In Sri Lanka, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is composed of two main groups: Food Items (41%) and Non-food Items (59%). Food items are mainly composed of: Bread & Cereals (8%), Fish & Sea food (6%) and Vegetables (6%). The most important Non-Food Items are: Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (24%), Transport (12%), and Restaurants & Hotels (6%).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.20 1.60 67.40 -4.20 1986 - 2026 percent Monthly
2021=100

News Stream
Sri Lanka Inflation Rate Accelerates in March
The annual inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, rose to 2.2% in March 2026, up from 1.6% in February. Both food and non-food prices accelerated, increasing by 0.7% from 0.2% and by 2.9% from 2.3%, respectively. The increase in non-food prices was driven primarily by housing and utilities, with household power tariffs rising 7.2% amid climbing energy costs. Sri Lanka, which imports all of its fuel, has also been affected by the ongoing Middle East crisis, with fuel prices increasing by 35%. Additional contributions came from restaurants and hotels, education, health, and transport. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.3%, following a 0.9% decline in the previous month.
2026-03-31
Sri Lanka Inflation Rate Slows in February
Annual inflation in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, slowed to 1.6% in February 2026, its lowest level in five months, after rising to 2.3% in January which was the highest since July 2024. Food prices increased 0.2%, the least in a year, compared to a 3.3% rise in January while non-food cost increased at a faster 2.3% compared to 1.8% in January. Largest upward contributions came from cost of housing and utilities, restaurants and hotels, education, health and clothing and footwear. Compared to the previous month, the CPI declined 0.9%, the most since August 2024, following a 0.6% increase in January.
2026-02-27
Sri Lanka Inflation Rises to 2024-Highs
Annual inflation in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, rose to 2.3% in January 2026, the highest level since July 2024, up from 2.1% in December. Food inflation edged up to 3.3% from 3.0% in both November and December, despite the impact of November’s cyclone and subsequent floods, which caused significant damage to crops and infrastructure. Higher prices for sea fish, milk powder, chicken, and dried fish were partially offset by a decline in rice. Non-food inflation remained at 1.8% for the second consecutive month, driven by increases in housing and utilities, restaurants and hotels, education, health, and clothing and footwear, while transport prices fell. On a monthly basis, inflation slowed to 0.6% from 1.2% in December.
2026-01-30