Cost of living in Sri Lanka has risen again, with the official poverty line reaching Rs. 17,117 per person in April 2026.
The cost of living in Sri Lanka has climbed further, with official data showing that a person now needs at least Rs. 17,117 per month to cover basic needs.
According to the latest figures released by the Department of Census and Statistics, the national official poverty line rose to Rs. 17,117 per person per month in April 2026. This is an increase from Rs. 16,690 recorded in March.
The official poverty line reflects the minimum monthly expenditure required for one individual to meet basic needs, including food and other essential expenses.
The latest increase highlights the continuing pressure on households across the country as everyday essentials become more expensive.
The figures also show how sharply the cost of basic survival has changed over the past decade.
In 2012/13, a person needed only Rs. 5,223 per month to meet minimum living requirements. By 2019, that amount had increased to Rs. 6,966. Today, it has more than tripled, passing Rs. 17,000 after years of inflation, economic instability, and rising household costs.
Urban and highly populated districts continue to record the highest basic living costs.
Colombo, which remains the district with the highest cost of living in the country, saw its poverty line rise from Rs. 18,000 in March to Rs. 18,461 in April.
Gampaha also increased from Rs. 17,908 to Rs. 18,367, while Kalutara rose from Rs. 17,520 to Rs. 17,968.
Nuwara Eliya also crossed the Rs. 18,000 mark, moving from Rs. 17,551 in March to Rs. 18,001 in April.
Meanwhile, districts with comparatively lower living costs also recorded increases.
Monaragala, which had the lowest threshold in both months, rose from Rs. 15,958 in March to Rs. 16,367 in April.
Kilinochchi increased from Rs. 16,124 to Rs. 16,537, while Hambantota moved from Rs. 16,216 to Rs. 16,631.
The latest numbers underline the growing strain on ordinary Sri Lankans, especially low-income families, as the minimum cost of basic living continues to move upward.
