📉 SL Official Poverty Line Rises to Rs. 17,315 in May 2026

The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has released the latest minimum monthly expenditure figures required per person to fulfill basic needs in Sri Lanka. • National Overview: The national official poverty line increased to Rs. 17,315 per person per month in May 2026. This reflects a Month-on-Month (MoM) increase of Rs. 198 from April 2026 (Rs. 17,117) and a Year-on-Year (YoY) increase of Rs. 894 from May 2025 (Rs. 16,421). • Highest District Expenditures: Regional disparities persist, driven heavily by urbanization and living costs in key employment and plantation hubs. - Colombo: Rs. 18,675 - Nuwara Eliya: Rs. 18,209 - Kegalle: Rs. 18,105 • Lowest District Expenditures: Chiefly rural and agricultural regions recorded the lowest required basic thresholds. - Moneragala: Rs. 16,556 - Mannar: Rs. 16,698 - Hambantota: Rs. 16,823