Sri Lanka’s cost of living continues its slow but steady climb, as official figures confirm that inflation has ticked upward once again.
The Department of Census and Statistics announced the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) and monthly consumer inflation for September 2025, revealing that overall inflation rose to 2.1% compared to 1.5% in August.
Food inflation took the biggest bite, rising from 2.9% in August to 3.8% in September. Non-food inflation also crept higher, moving from 0.4% to 0.7% during the same period.
While the numbers may seem modest on paper, for ordinary households already struggling with essentials, even these small jumps add pressure to monthly budgets. The rise in food costs especially reflects the growing challenge families face at the market.
Economists warn that if the upward trend continues, households could feel sharper shocks in the months ahead.
