Sri Lanka records 6.3 pct headline inflation in June

Source: Xinhua | 2020-07-23

Sri Lanka's year-on-year headline and core inflation, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), rose to 6.3 percent and 4.4 percent respectively in June, local media citing the Department of Census and Statistics reported here Wednesday.

According to a monthly report by the Department of Census and Statistics, food groups and nonfood groups contributed 5.8 percent and 0.5 percent respectively to the headline inflation rate.

The increased contribution of food groups to inflation, "was mainly due to higher price levels prevailed in this month of June 2020, particularly prices of coconuts, rice, coconut oil, fresh fish, sugar and turmeric powder," the report said.

However, price decreases were recorded for food groups such as garlic, dried fish, dried chilies, breadfruit, chili powder and curry powder.

Meanwhile, non-food group inflation was driven by price increases in items clothing and footwear, health, purchase of vehicles, and restaurants and hotels.

The price index for communication and education remained unchanged in June, while price decreases were seen in non-food group items such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco; and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.

Core inflation, excluding food, energy, and transport, recorded a 4.4 percent year-on-year increase in June.