Sri Lanka’s overall inflation, measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), accelerated to 5.4% in May 2026 from 4.7% recorded in April, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics. The 12-month moving average inflation also increased to 2.4% in May from 2.0% in the previous month.

The All Items NCPI (Base 2021=100) rose to 218.8 in May from 216.3 in April, reflecting an increase of 2.5 index points on a month-on-month basis. Food inflation increased to 1.5% in May from 1.1% in April, while non-food inflation rose to 8.6% from 7.8% during the same period.

On a month-on-month basis, the NCPI recorded a 1.2% increase in May, with price increases reported across several categories, including furnishing and household equipment, health, transport, recreation and culture, and miscellaneous goods and services.