The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on Y-on-Y basis, stood at 8.0% in September 2026, compared to 8.0% in August 2026, according to the Department of Census and Statistics.
Food inflation has increased to 8.7% in September 2026, from 8.5% in August 2026, the department stated.
Meanwhile, the Y-on-Y inflation for the non-food group remained unchanged in September 2026, at 7.7% which was reported in August 2026.
The CCPI for all items in September 2026 stood at 209.1, recording an increase of 0.3 index points from 208.8 in August 2026.
The Department of Census and Statistics, which is responsible for compiling the CCPI, said the index measures the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by households in urban areas of the Colombo District.
The current CCPI is based on 2021 = 100 and covers a consumer basket of 426 items. The weights used for the index are based on expenditure patterns recorded in the 2019 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES).
