📈 Sri Lanka’s Official Poverty Line Rises to Rs. 17,679 in July 2026

• National Figures: The national official poverty line reached Rs. 17,679 per person/month in July 2026, marking a 0.5% (Rs. 87) MoM increase from June (Rs. 17,592) and a 7.2% (Rs. 1,195) YoY increase from July 2025 (Rs. 16,484). This is the highest threshold recorded since January 2025. • District Breakdown: Highest: Colombo recorded the highest threshold at Rs. 19,067, followed by Gampaha (Rs. 18,969) and Nuwara Eliya (Rs. 18,592). Lowest: Monaragala recorded the lowest threshold at Rs. 16,904, followed by Kilinochchi (Rs. 17,080) and Hambantota (Rs. 17,177). The variance between highest and lowest district thresholds stands at Rs. 2,163. • Economic Context: The rise aligns with accelerating inflation, as the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) reached 223.4 with YoY inflation at 7.2% in July. The poverty line reflects the minimum expenditure for basic needs, not average household living costs. • Upcoming Data: Department of Census and Statistics scheduled the release of the final 2025 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) bulletin by late October 2026, which will provide updated data on household consumption patterns and minimum cost pressures.