CCPI-based headline inflation remained unchanged in September 2026

The Colombo Consumer Price Index  (CCPI, 2021=100) based headline inflation (year-on-year, Y-o-Y) remained unchanged at 8.0% in September 2026 compared to August 2026. Meanwhile, food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 8.7% in September 2026 from 8.5% in August 2026, while non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) remained unchanged at 7.7% in September 2026 compared to August 2026. On a month-on-month basis, the CCPI increased by 0.19% in September 2026. This marginal increase was mainly driven by the food category, which contributed 0.15 percentage point, largely owing to the increase in prices of Fresh Fruits and Big Onion, while the non-food category contributed 0.04 percentage point largely owing to the increase in prices of Education sub-category compared to August 2026. Meanwhile, core inflation (Y-o-Y) accelerated to 5.4% in September 2026 from 5.1% in August 2026. Realised quarterly average inflation for Q3-2026 remained in line with the Central Bank’s recent projections. According to the inflation projections made at the monetary policy round in September 2026, headline inflation is projected to remain in high single digits through Q1-2027, before easing towards the 5% target. PDF P...