Sri Lanka records 0.2% deflation for July

3 August 2015 03:25 am

Sri Lanka’s inflation measured by the change in the Colombo Consumers’ Price Index (CCPI), declined to -0.2 percent, on a year-on-year basis in July 2015, from 0.1 percent recorded in June 2015, the Census and Statistics Department data showed. 

The department said it was for the first time since March 1995, Sri Lanka experienced a deflation. Annual average inflation declined from 1.7 percent in June 2015 to 1.3 percent in July 2015. CCPI increased by 0.7 percent from June to July 2015.

The decline recorded on year-on year basis was mainly due the high base that prevailed in July 2014, prior to significant downward revisions of energy prices observed on several occasions since September 2014.

The monthly increase in CCPI was caused by the increases in prices of items in both food and non-food categories. Prices of some varieties of vegetables, fresh fish, meat, fruits, potatoes, green chilies and red onions increased during July 2015. However, prices of coconuts, big onions and lime decreased during the month.

Within the non-food category, prices in clothing and footwear; furnishing, household equipment and routine household maintenance; transport; and recreation and culture sub categories increased. 

Due to the partial effect of the downward revision of LP Gas prices with effect from 14.07.2015, the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels sub category recorded a decline. 

All other sub categories, namely, health; communication; education; and miscellaneous goods and services remained unchanged during the month.
Core inflation, which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy, increased to 3.5 percent in July 2015, from 2.8 percent in June 2015 on a year-on-year basis. 

Annual average core inflation remained unchanged at 2.8 percent, as recorded in the previous month.