Sri Lanka Inflation Rate Hits Over 3-Year High

The inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, rose to 8.3% in October 2026, following an 8.0% increase in each of the previous two months. This marked the highest reading since June 2023, as food inflation climbed to an over three-year high of 8.8% from 8.7% in September. Non-food inflation also picked up to 8.0% from 7.7%, with higher prices in transport (17.6% vs 16.3%), furnishings and equipment (4.5% vs 4.1%), communication (1.1% vs 0.9%), and restaurants and hotels (13.4% vs 11.5%). In contrast, inflation moderated in clothing and footwear (1.3% vs 1.6%), health (2.6% vs 4.0%), and miscellaneous goods and services (6.5% vs 6.7%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices ticked up 0.4% in October from 0.1% in the previous month.

The inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, stood at 8.0% in September 2026, unchanged from the previous month and slightly below market expectations of 8.1%. This remained the highest reading since June 2023, as food inflation climbed to an over three-year high of 8.7% from 8.5% in August. Non-food inflation was unchanged at 7.7%. At the same time, prices rose faster in housing and utilities (5.5% vs 5.1%), clothing and footwear (1.5% vs 1.4%), health (4.0% vs 3.4%), and restaurants and hotels (11.5% vs 11.1%). In contrast, inflation softened in transport (16.3% vs 16.7%) and miscellaneous goods and services (6.7% vs 6.8%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged down to 0.1% in September from 0.3% in the previous month.

The inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, rose to 8.0% in August 2026 from 7.3% in the previous month, above market expectations of 7.7%. This marked the highest reading since June 2023, as food inflation climbed to an over three-year high of 8.5% from 6.3% in July. Prices also rose faster for clothing and footwear (1.4% vs 0.8%), furnishings and equipment (6.6% vs 5.4%), health (3.4% vs 3.0%), communication (0.9% vs 0.5%), restaurants and hotels (11.1% vs 10.6%), and miscellaneous goods and services (6.8% vs 6.2%). In contrast, non-food inflation edged down to 7.7% from 7.8%, with lower inflation in housing and utilities (5.1% vs 5.4%) and transport (16.7% vs 17.2%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices ticked up 0.3% in September, following a 0.2% increase in the previous month.