Sri Lanka’s headline inflation, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), accelerated to 6.5% on a year-on-year basis in June 2026. This represents a significant jump from the 5.4% recorded in May, continuing a steady upward trend that began in early 2026.

According to the latest data from the Department of Census and Statistics, the All Items index rose to 222.3 in June, up from 218.8 in the previous month. This monthly increase of 1.6% was driven largely by a surge in the food sector. The Food Group saw its index climb to 250.5, a 2.5% month-on-month increase from May. On a year-on-year basis, food inflation stood at 3.3%.

While food prices saw the sharpest monthly spike, the Non-Food category continues to be the primary driver of high annual inflation rates. Year-on-year, non-food inflation reached 9.3% in June. The Non-Food index stood at 204.1, showing a modest monthly increase of 0.9% compared to May. Key contributors to non-food expenses include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics, and household equipment maintenance.