Colombo inflation edged up to 5.5% in May 2026 as transport, housing, utilities, restaurants, and hotels pushed prices higher.
Colombo inflation increased slightly in May 2026, with rising transport and non-food costs pushing the overall price level higher.
The Department of Census and Statistics has officially released the Colombo Consumer Price Index and monthly consumer inflation rates for the Colombo metropolitan area for May 2026.
According to the report, headline point-to-point inflation in the Colombo metropolitan area rose from 5.4% in April 2026 to 5.5% in May 2026.
The latest calculations, based on 2021 as the base year, show that the Colombo Consumer Price Index increased from 201.6 in April to 203.4 in May.
As a result, the overall increase in the general price level compared to the base year was recorded at 103.4%.
Food and Non-Food Inflation Show Different Trends
The data confirms that inflation movements in the Food and Non-Food categories showed clear differences during May.
Point-to-point inflation in the Food category fell notably to 0.9% in May, compared to 2.8% in April.
The monthly price change in the Food category was 0.3%.
Its contribution to the overall monthly index change was 0.26%.
Meanwhile, the Non-Food category, which carries a higher weighting of 73.8% in the overall index, recorded a sharper increase.
Point-to-point inflation in the Non-Food category rose from 6.8% in April to 7.8% in May.
The monthly price change in the Non-Food category was recorded at 0.9%.
Its contribution to the overall monthly change was 0.62%.
Core Inflation Recorded at 3.9%
Core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as perishable food, energy, and transport costs, was recorded at 3.9% in May.
Accordingly, the Core Consumer Price Index increased from 185.6 in April to 186.1 in May.
This was pointed out by the Prices and Wages Division operating under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The Food category contributed 0.31% to the overall inflation rate.
The Non-Food category contributed 5.20%.
The Food category carries a weighting of 26.2% in the point-to-point inflation index.
Transport Costs Lead Sub-Category Increase
An analysis of price levels across sub-categories shows that transport costs recorded a prominent increase.
Transport inflation rose from 11.6% in April to 13.9% in May.
Inflation in restaurants and hotels also increased from 10.5% to 11.9%.
The housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels category rose from 5.4% to 6.9%.
Household equipment and home maintenance increased from 3.0% to 3.9%.
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco inflation also rose from 2.0% to 3.0%.
However, some categories recorded declines.
Clothing and footwear inflation fell from 3.5% to 1.7%.
Recreation and culture inflation declined from 0.7% to 0.1%.
The Colombo Consumer Price Index for June 2026 is scheduled to be released on June 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
