Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, recorded an inflation rate of 8.3% in October 2026, up from 8.0% in each of the previous two months. This was the highest rate since June 2023, driven by a rise in food inflation to 8.8% in October from 8.7% in September, marking its highest level in over three years.
Non-food inflation also accelerated, reaching 8.0% compared with 7.7% in September. This was mainly due to higher prices in several categories, including transport (17.6% vs 16.3%), furnishings and household equipment (4.5% vs 4.1%), communication (1.1% vs 0.9%), and restaurants and hotels (13.4% vs 11.5%).
These increases were partially offset by slower price growth in other sectors. Inflation eased 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 month-on-month basis, consumer prices rose 0.4% in October, following a 0.1% increase in September.
