Sri Lanka’s overall inflation rate increased to 5.4% in May 2026, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.
The increase was recorded through the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), which measures changes in the prices of goods and services purchased by households across the country. The year-on-year inflation rate stood at 4.7% in April 2026 before rising to 5.4% in May.
The Department reported that food inflation also edged higher during the month. The year-on-year inflation rate for the food category rose to 1.5% in May, compared to 1.1% recorded in April.
Non-food inflation, which includes sectors such as housing, transport, healthcare, education and other consumer services, showed a more significant increase. The rate climbed to 8.6% in May from 7.8% in the previous month.
The latest figures indicate that consumer prices continue to rise across several sectors of the economy, contributing to the upward movement in overall inflation. Inflation remains a key economic indicator closely monitored by policymakers, businesses and consumers as it affects household spending, purchasing power and overall economic stability.
