The inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, rose to 7.3% in July 2026 from 6.8% in the previous month, well above market expectations of 6.7%. This marked the highest reading since June 2023, as food inflation accelerated to a more than three-year high of 6.3% from 3.6% in June, while non-food prices remained elevated but eased to 7.8% from 8.4%. Prices increased faster for furnishing and equipment (5.4% vs 4.5% in June), communication (0.5% vs 0.3%), education (7.2% vs 6.5%), restaurants and hotels (10.6% vs 10.3%), and miscellaneous goods and services (6.2% vs 5.8%). Meanwhile, inflation slowed for transport (17.2% vs 18.7%), clothing and footwear (0.8% vs 1.3%), housing and utilities (5.4% vs 6.3%), and health (3.0% vs 4.2%). Costs were flat for alcoholic beverages and tobacco after a 1.7% increase, while prices for recreation and culture declined further (-2.1% vs -1.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices moderated to 0.2% in July from 2.1% in the previous month. source: The Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka

Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka increased to 7.30 percent in July from 6.80 percent in June of 2026. Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka averaged 9.75 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 August of 2026.

Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka increased to 7.30 percent in July from 6.80 percent in June of 2026. Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka is expected to be 6.50 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 3.00 percent in 2027 and 4.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-30 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Jun 6.8% 5.5% 5.8% 6%
2026-07-31 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Jul 7.3% 6.8% 6.7% 6.8%
2026-08-28 09:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Aug 7.3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 208.20 207.70 points Jul 2026
Core Consumer Prices 187.30 186.10 points Jun 2026
Core Inflation Rate 4.00 3.90 percent Jun 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 143.30 142.10 points Jul 2026
CPI Transportation 264.80 265.50 points Jul 2026
Export Prices 176.59 205.19 points Jun 2026
Food Inflation 6.30 3.60 percent Jul 2026
GDP Implicit Price Deflator 251.00 255.00 points Mar 2026
Import Prices 285.90 327.80 points Jun 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 7.30 6.80 percent Jul 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.20 2.10 percent Jul 2026
Producer Prices 242.00 244.90 points Jun 2026
PPI YoY 1.30 3.30 percent Jun 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
7.30 6.80 67.40 -4.20 1986 - 2026 percent Monthly
2021=100

News Stream
Sri Lanka Inflation Rate Hits Over 3-Year High
The inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, rose to 7.3% in July 2026 from 6.8% in the previous month, well above market expectations of 6.7%. This marked the highest reading since June 2023, as food inflation accelerated to a more than three-year high of 6.3% from 3.6% in June, while non-food prices remained elevated but eased to 7.8% from 8.4%. Prices increased faster for furnishing and equipment (5.4% vs 4.5% in June), communication (0.5% vs 0.3%), education (7.2% vs 6.5%), restaurants and hotels (10.6% vs 10.3%), and miscellaneous goods and services (6.2% vs 5.8%). Meanwhile, inflation slowed for transport (17.2% vs 18.7%), clothing and footwear (0.8% vs 1.3%), housing and utilities (5.4% vs 6.3%), and health (3.0% vs 4.2%). Costs were flat for alcoholic beverages and tobacco after a 1.7% increase, while prices for recreation and culture declined further (-2.1% vs -1.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices moderated to 0.2% in July from 2.1% in the previous month.
2026-07-31
Sri Lanka Inflation Rate Rises to 3-Year High
The inflation rate in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, rose to 6.8% in June 2026 from 5.5% in the previous month, above market expectations of 5.8%. This marked the highest reading since June 2023, as food inflation accelerated to a one-year high of 3.6% from 0.9% in May. Additionally, non-food prices rose 8.4% from 7.8%, lifted by cost increases in furnishing and equipment (4.5% vs 3.9%) and transport (18.7% vs 13.9%). Meanwhile, inflation eased for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (1.7% vs 3.0%), clothing and footwear (1.3% vs 1.7%), housing and utilities (6.3% vs 6.9%), and communication (0.3% vs 1.0%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 2.1% in June, accelerating from a 0.9% rise in the previous month.
2026-06-30
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