Annual inflation rate in Sri Lanka increased to 4.5 percent in April of 2019 from 4.3 percent in March. It was the highest rate since August 2018, as non-food prices rose faster (6.8 percent compared to 6.7 percent in February). Among non-food, cost grew faster for transport (10.6 percent vs 9.4 percent); health (10.6 percent vs 9.4 percent) and clothing & footwear (9.2 percent vs 6.0 percent). On the other hand, inflation was steady for housing & utilities (at 4.5 percent) while prices increased at a softer pace for recreation & culture (3.2 percent vs 3.8 percent). Meantime, food prices fell less (-0.9 percent vs -1.4 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.3 percent, rebounding from a 0.2 percent drop in March. Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka averaged 9.42 percent from 1986 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 28.30 percent in June of 2008 and a record low of -0.90 percent in March of 1995.
Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka is expected to be 4.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate Inflation Rate in Sri Lanka to stand at 4.40 in 12 months time. In the long-term, the Sri Lanka Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 6.00 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.