Sri Lanka National Poverty Line Edges Up in March 📈

Sri Lanka’s national poverty line rose to Rs. 16,690 per person per month in March 2026, marking a 0.72% increase from February (Rs. 16,571). The data indicates a reversal of the brief easing seen earlier in the year, highlighting renewed pressure on basic household consumption costs. • District Highlights: • Colombo: Remained the most expensive district at Rs. 18,000 per person, reflecting high urban living costs. • High-Cost Areas: Gampaha, Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya, and Kegalle all recorded thresholds exceeding Rs. 17,000. • Lowest Cost: Monaragala recorded the lowest threshold at Rs. 15,958, followed by Kilinochchi and Hambantota. • Key Trends: • Monthly Flux: While March figures are higher than February, they remain slightly lower than January (Rs. 16,730), showing a partial recovery of the early-year spike. • Year-on-Year: Thresholds remain significantly higher across all districts compared to March 2025, driven by the rising cost of essential food and non-food items. • Economic Context: The uptick in costs occurred just as global tensions began to influence domestic pricing, suggesting continued upward pressure on the retail and essential goods sectors. _Source: Department of Census and Statistics (Provisional Data)_