Sri Lanka's inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index(NCPI) increased to 3.4 percent in August 2019 from 2.2 percent in July 2019, Central Bank announced on Tuesday.
The low base that prevailed in the corresponding month of the previous year and the monthly increases of prices of items in both Food and Non-food categories contributed to this increase.
Meanwhile, in August 2019, year-on-year Food and Non-food inflation recorded 0.6 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively.
The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis increased marginally to 2.0 per cent in August 2019 from 1.9 per cent in July 2019.
Monthly change of NCPI recorded 0.2 per cent in August 2019 and it was due to the price increases observed in the items of both Food and Non-food categories.
Within the Food category, prices of banana, rice and fresh fish recorded increases.
Moreover, within the Non-Food category, prices of the items in Transport; Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics; and Clothing and Footwear sub-categories increased during the month, Central Bank revealed.
The core inflation, which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy, declined to 5.9 per cent in August 2019 from 6.1 per cent in July 2019 on year-on-year basis.
However, annual average core inflation increased to 5.0 per cent in August 2019 from 4.7 per cent in July 2019.
(LI)