The inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, edged up 5.5% in May 2026 from 5.4% in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since February 2024, as non-food prices rose by 7.8% from 6.8% in April, lifted by cost increases in transport, housing and utilities, restaurants and hotels, education, miscellaneous goods, health, and household equipment. Meanwhile, food inflation moderated sharply to 0.9% from 2.8%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.9% in May, easing from a 3% growth in the preceding period. source: Department of Census and Statistics - Sri Lanka

Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka increased to 5.50 percent in May from 5.40 percent in April of 2026. Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka averaged 9.76 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 May of 2026.

Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka increased to 5.50 percent in May from 5.40 percent in April 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
2026-04-30 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Apr 5.4% 2.2% 3.6% 2.9%
2026-05-29 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
May 5.5% 5.4% 6.3% 6.0%
2026-06-30 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Jun 5.5% 5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 203.40 201.60 points May 2026
Core Consumer Prices 202.20 198.60 points Apr 2026
Core Inflation Rate 2.50 2.10 percent Mar 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 140.10 137.00 points Apr 2026
CPI Transportation 251.70 228.80 points Apr 2026
Export Prices 227.94 179.84 points Mar 2026
Food Inflation 0.90 2.80 percent May 2026
GDP Implicit Price Deflator 255.00 252.00 points Dec 2025
Import Prices 255.73 205.95 points Mar 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 5.50 5.40 percent May 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.90 3.00 percent May 2026
Producer Prices 238.80 238.90 points Mar 2026
PPI YoY 1.70 0.50 percent Apr 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
5.50 5.40 67.40 -4.20 1986 - 2026 percent Monthly
2021=100

News Stream
Sri Lanka Inflation Rate Rise the Most Since 2024
The inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, edged up 5.5% in May 2026 from 5.4% in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since February 2024, as non-food prices rose by 7.8% from 6.8% in April, lifted by cost increases in transport, housing and utilities, restaurants and hotels, education, miscellaneous goods, health, and household equipment. Meanwhile, food inflation moderated sharply to 0.9% from 2.8%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.9% in May, easing from a 3% growth in the preceding period.
2026-05-29
Sri Lanka Inflation Rate Rises to Over Two-Year High
The annual inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, rose to 5.4% in April 2026, up from 2.2% in March. Both food and non-food prices accelerated, increasing by 2.8% from 0.7% and by 6.8% from 2.9%, respectively. The rise in non-food inflation was mainly driven by transport costs (1.7% vs 0.8%), amid disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Additional contributions came from cost housing and utilities, restaurants and hotels, education, miscellaneous goods and service, health and clothing and footwear. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 3.0%, following a 0.3% advance in the previous month.
2026-04-30
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