Headline inflation, measured by the year-on-year change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100), continued its upward trend in July 2026, officially surpassing the 7% mark.

According to the Department of Census and Statistics, the headline inflation for the Colombo district rose to 7.3% in July 2026, a notable increase from the 6.8% recorded in June 2026.

The primary driver behind this inflationary pressure was a significant spike in food inflation. On a year-on-year basis, food inflation jumped from 3.6% in June 2026 to 6.3% in July 2026.

In contrast, the non-food category saw a slight moderation during the same period. Non-food inflation decreased to 7.8% in July 2026, down from the 8.4% reported in June.