July national inflation up marginally to 2.2%

Sri Lanka’s countrywide inflation measured by the year-on-year (YoY) change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) increased marginally to 2.2 percent in July 2019 from 2.1 percent in June.

The increase was due to the monthly increases of items in both food and non-food categories, the Central Bank said.

Meanwhile in July 2019 YoY food and non-food inflation recorded -2.5 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively.

The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis decreased to 1.9 percent in July from 2.0 percent a month ago.

When monthly change is considered, the NCPI increased by 0.2 percent in July with the increases observed in the prices of the items in both food and non-food categories.
Within the food category, prices of green chillies, fresh fish and potatoes recorded increases.

Within the non-food category, prices of the items in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; and recreation and culture subcategories increased during the month.
The core inflation, which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy, remained unchanged at 6.1 percent in July 2019 on YoY basis.

However, annual average core inflation increased to 4.7 percent in July from 4.4 percent a month ago.