Basic cost of living in Sri Lanka tops Rs. 17,000 per person

• Colombo remains the most expensive district, with cost of living at Rs. 18,461
• Residents in urban and highly populated districts continue to face the highest costs

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

As the cost of everyday essentials continue to rise, Sri Lankans now need at least Rs. 17,117 a month per person to meet their basic needs, according to the latest official figures. 

According to the latest figures released by the Department of Census and Statistics, the national official poverty line increased to Rs. 17,117 per person per month in April 2026, up from Rs. 16,690 recorded in March.  

The poverty line represents the minimum monthly expenditure required for an individual to meet basic needs such as food and other essential expenses. The latest increase signals a continued rise in living costs faced by families nationwide. 

The figures also illustrate how dramatically the cost of basic living has changed over the past decade.   

In 2012/13, a person needed just Rs. 5,223 per month to meet minimum living requirements. By 2019, that figure had risen to Rs. 6,966. Today, it has more than tripled, surpassing Rs. 17,000 amid years of inflation and economic challenges.  

Residents in urban and highly populated districts continue to face the highest costs.   

The Colombo district, which maintains the highest living costs in the country, saw its poverty line jump from Rs. 18,000 in March to Rs. 18,461 in April. Similarly, Gampaha rose from Rs. 17,908 to Rs. 18,367, while Kalutara increased from Rs. 17,520 to Rs. 17,968. Nuwara Eliya also breached the 18,000 mark, moving from Rs. 17,551 in March to Rs. 18,001 in April.  

Meanwhile, districts with comparatively lower living costs also experienced increases.  

For instance, Monaragala, which held the lowest threshold in both months, moved from Rs. 15,958 in March to Rs. 16,367 in April. Kilinochchi increased from Rs. 16,124 to Rs. 16,537, and Hambantota from Rs. 16,216 to Rs. 16,631.