Sri Lanka’s inflation drops to -0.2% in September 2024 amid falling food prices

Lotus Tower in Colombo, Sri Lanka

(Photo by Christoph Theisinger on Unsplash)

The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), decreased to -0.2% in September 2024, down from 1.1% in August 2024, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.

Meanwhile, food inflation also declined to 0.5% in September, from 2.3% in August.

The NCPI for all items in September 2024 was 203.1, showing a decrease of 1.0 index points compared to August 2024.

The NCPI for all items in September 2024 was 203.1, reflecting a reduction of 1.0 index points, or 0.48%, compared to the August 2024 index of 204.1. This drop represents a decrease in expenditure value of Rs. 500.25 in the “market basket.”

The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the NCPI on a year-over-year basis, was -0.2% in September 2024, compared to 1.1% in August 2024.

On a monthly basis, the year-on-year inflation for the food group decreased to 0.5% in September 2024, from 2.3% in August 2024, while year-on-year inflation for the non-food group fell to -0.7% in September 2024 from 0.2% in August 2024.

On a year-on-year basis, the contribution of food commodities to inflation was 0.22% in September 2024, compared to September 2023, according to the report.