Sri Lanka’s cost of living is creeping up once more, with fresh data from the Department of Census and Statistics showing inflation has edged higher in July 2025. Both food and non-food prices are shifting in ways that impact every household, putting renewed pressure on consumers.
The Department of Census and Statistics has officially released the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) and monthly consumer inflation figures for July 2025. According to the data, overall inflation, which stood at 0.3% in June 2025, has now climbed to 0.7% in July.
In the food category, headline inflation, which was recorded at 4.2% in June, has eased slightly to 2.2% in July. Despite the slowdown, essential food prices remain a critical concern for families across the country.
Meanwhile, the non-food category shows a significant adjustment. Inflation, which was recorded at -2.8% in June, has narrowed to -0.6% in July, indicating a shift toward rising costs in areas outside of food.
This trend signals that while food inflation may have moderated, the broader economy is seeing renewed pressure from non-food expenses. Analysts warn that consumers may feel the squeeze more intensely in the coming months if the upward momentum continues.
