National prices up 3.4% in August

Sri Lanka’s countrywide inflation measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) rose to 3.4 percent in August, from 2.2 percent in July, amid the low base that prevailed in the corresponding month of the previous year and the increases in the prices of food and non-food items.

The food and non-food inflation in August recorded 0.6 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively.

The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis increased marginally to 2.0 percent in August, from 1.9 percent in July.

The monthly change of NCPI recorded 0.2 percent and it was due to the price increases observed in the items of both food and non-food categories.

Within the food category, the prices of banana, rice and fresh fish 
recorded increases. 

Within the non-food category, the prices of the items in transport; alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics and clothing and footwear sub-categories increased during the month.
The core inflation, which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy, declined to 5.9 percent in August, from 6.1 percent in July. 

However, the annual average core inflation increased to 5.0 percent in August, from 4.7 percent a month ago.