The Department of Census and Statistics has reported that the overall rate of inflation as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) on a year-on-year basis has increased to 66.7% in July 2022.
Issuing a statement, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) increased to 66.7% in July 2022 from 58.9% in June 2022.
This increase in Y- o-Y inflation was mainly driven by the monthly increases in both Food and Non-Food categories.
Accordingly, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 82.5% in July 2022 from 75.8% in June 2022, while Non-Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 52.4% in July 2022 from 43.6% in June 2022.
The monthly change of NCPI was recorded at 5.57% in July 2022 due to price increases observed in items of both Food and Non-Food categories which were 2.42% and 3.15%, respectively.
Accordingly, within the Food category, increases were observed in the prices of milk powder, rice, fresh fish, biscuits, and chicken. However, prices of vegetables, coconut oil, and coconut decreased during the month.
Further, within the Non-Food category, increases were observed in prices of Transport (Bus fare, petrol, and diesel), Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance (Washing soap), and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels (Materials for maintenance) sub-categories during the month.
Meanwhile, annual average inflation rose to 25.9% in July 2022 from 20.8% in June 2022.
The core inflation (Y-o-Y), which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy increased to 57.3% in July 2022 from 49.3% in June 2022, while annual average core inflation increased to 21.3% in July 2022 from 16.8% in June 2022. (NewsWire)
