📈 Sri Lanka’s Official Poverty Line Rises to Rs. 17,592 in June 2026

Sri Lanka’s national official poverty line increased to Rs. 17,592 per person per month in June 2026, according to provisional data released by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS). The threshold represents the minimum expenditure needed to meet basic needs, adjusted via the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI). • Overall National Figures: • Monthly Change: Up by Rs. 277 (+1.6% MoM) from Rs. 17,315 in May 2026. • Annual Change: Up by Rs. 1,108 (+6.7% YoY) from Rs. 16,484 in June 2025. • Highest District Thresholds: • Gampaha: Rs. 18,579 (highest in the country) • Colombo: Rs. 18,575 • Nuwara Eliya: Rs. 18,500 • Lowest District Thresholds: • Moneragala: Rs. 16,821 (lowest in the country) • Kilinochchi: Rs. 16,995 • Hambantota: Rs. 17,092 • Key Context & Policy Note: • The index measures minimum basic needs threshold, not average living expenditure or adequate living standards. • Methodology is anchored to the 2012/13 Household Income and Expenditure Survey, raising questions over whether the decade-old basket accurately reflects current household living costs and consumption patterns in 2026.