How have prices in Sri Lanka changed over the past decade? This Daily Mirror interactive compares 65 food items using 2016 annual averages and fourth-week October 2026 prices. It also compares the US dollar using September 2016 and October 2026 monthly averages. Select an item to see the change, or use the Price Assistant for answers based on the published figures.
Explore 65 everyday foods and the US dollar to see how their rupee values changed over ten years.
Browse by category, then select a product to compare.
Colombo District: 2016 annual average vs fourth week of October 2026
Ask about the 65 food prices or the dollar rate. Answers use preset question matching and are calculated from this dataset.
The 65 food comparisons cover open market prices in Colombo District. The 2016 figures are annual averages. The 2026 figures are weekly averages from the fourth week of October. Only products with matching units and sufficiently clear descriptions were included. Minor spelling and naming differences were standardised for readability. This is a price comparison, not a formal inflation index.
The dollar comparison uses the CBSL monthly average USD/LKR spot series for September 2016 and October 2026. CBSL changed its published spot reference methodology in March 2023, so this is a historical comparison, not a banknote buying or selling quote.
Prices vary by market, quality, size and week. The selector identifies grades, sizes and pack weights where they matter. This comparison covers individual prices, not a complete household food basket.
This comparison shows how 65 food prices in Colombo District and the US dollar rate changed across the periods shown. Browse by category or use the Price Assistant to compare individual items.
The food figures come from the Department of Census and Statistics, and the dollar rate from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Price changes can reflect many factors, including inflation, exchange rates, taxes, global commodity prices, supply conditions, seasonality, product quality and market location. This historical comparison is not a formal inflation index or an analysis of the causes behind each change.
No Country Is Immune From Price Hikes Sunday, 11 October 2026 11:24 AM
Not only SL is experiencing price hikes in every sector! Name a country in the world without price hikes these past years especially after Covid and the current wars. Every country is trying to manage within their means. However, SL is always seeking or begging for funds internationally even with so many wealthy citizens. Learn to vote in intelligent politicians to run the country without corruption and believe in nation building.
Nihal Perera Sunday, 11 October 2026 05:18 PM
Very true. When our people voted for the present government, they were not interested in building the nation but voted with anger and revenge to make sure past governments won't come back to power. They succeeded. Now they are happy and enjoying life.
Haniz Usuf Sunday, 11 October 2026 05:52 PM
Be patient prices will come down soon, when corruption is reduced you will get Vitz car for 12 Lakhs.
Rikaz Zak Tuesday, 13 October 2026 02:32 AM
The difference between 2022 and 2026 is that this is the period when prices increased the most.So please make tools for this year’s we can check
Sala Sunday, 11 October 2026 11:37 AM
This is not only Sri Lanka and its happening Globally we we pay Rs 650 per leter petral in Canada
Dr. Dee esquire Monday, 12 October 2026 09:12 AM
What’s your salary? A supermarket team lead gets paid more than a GP in Sri Lanka
Aela Sunday, 11 October 2026 01:07 PM
The biggest jump in prices happened during Gota's watch and has continued ever since.
Avery Markham Sunday, 11 October 2026 01:28 PM
Good initiative, should have included fuel and bus fares.
Rip Winkle Sunday, 11 October 2026 01:30 PM
All thanks to the Rajapaksa and Ranil Rajapaksa governments.
Nadesan Sunday, 11 October 2026 01:46 PM
Can you compare this price increases with CPI increase please
Kamal Sunday, 11 October 2026 02:12 PM
Thank you very much for the effort you made. Would prefer if you could also include land and building, gold , and vehicle prices and if possible medicine expenses as well. Then it would cover most of the aspects in our life (except funeral expenses). Anyway thanks again
HD Sunday, 11 October 2026 02:22 PM
It would be interesting to see the prices in 2019 before Covid hit
roobarbie Sunday, 11 October 2026 03:36 PM
This is not a phenomenon specific to Sri Lanka. It is happening everywhere in the World. Because of energy prices, migration of people between countries, high wage earning foreigners residing in developing countries, all these contribute to spiralling prices. There may be one unique phenomenon that add to Sri Lanka's steeply escalating prices if any: that is the endemic corruption at high places in government, politicians in power and top level civil servants. As we know the bankruptcy of the country was principally triggered by them, looting the national wealth and transferring them to their private bank accounts abroad with the help of top people in bank administration.
Observer Sunday, 11 October 2026 06:10 PM
yes Indeed.pls add to that top people in bank administration got there 15-20 % the tithe also went Foriegn bank accounts for there oversees holidays or for their kids education.
roobarbie Monday, 12 October 2026 04:28 AM
NPP government has already proved that endemic corruption at high places has been a primary contributing factor unique to SLK's steep price rises. Now, since the setting up of NPP government, massive corruption and looting the national assets has been stemmed, due mandatory taxes are being paid or if not collected, the treasury has recuperated to the brim, foreign debts are being settled, and even the IMF has given a certificate that SLK has recovered and they need not micromanage the economy in SLK. SLK is one country where the government is now using its buffer to maintain fuel prices steady. Of course, SLK is still full of people that do not understand reason, but hang on to biased thinking based on old party lines, because they have been conditioned live under feudal regimes and feudal leaders that hand feed these minions. When they begin to feel starved of ill gotten gains, they cry out and bellyache, which is quiet normal human trait.
GParana Monday, 12 October 2026 08:06 AM
But so far there are no any cases against those who looted national wealth and sent them abroad. Are we still believing those stories we heard two years back.
Citizen k Sunday, 11 October 2026 03:59 PM
Please indicate minimum wage changes also.
John Stewart Sunday, 11 October 2026 04:08 PM
I am a foreigner living in Sri Lanka for the past 11 years and have seen the large differences in the cost of food in restaurants during that time. A dinner for two in 2016 was around Rs.4,000. Now it is Rs.9,000 something. But the interesting fact is that if I convert those sums back to my base currency of Euros, there is very little difference, the difference here being greater inflation and a more than 100% devaluation of the rupee.
John Stewart Sunday, 11 October 2026 04:12 PM
I built our house in Negombo in 2016. The cost of the house, land, swimming pool and solar panels was Rs.32 million. With inflation, the devaluation of the Rupee and increase in the price of land and building materials over the past 10 years, I could not build the same house now for Rs.100 million.
Kathira Sunday, 11 October 2026 05:52 PM
Guda Gand Sunday, 11 October 2026 09:51 PM
Johnny Walker Monday, 12 October 2026 04:46 AM
We are always looking at what the government or the other person has to do ! Never thinking of what we can do. A culture of growing a few vegetables in pots to start with will go a long way. These are things that professors in Eastern Europe did when the team going got really bad !
Dakshini Perera Monday, 12 October 2026 05:27 PM
A very good point. People have to start growing their own vegetables in any way they can and the prices will come down. Sri lanka is blessed with warm weather year round so there is no excuse not to.
Mahaththaya Tuesday, 13 October 2026 09:08 PM
Yes. People are wrong. They vote someone who is always worse than the predecessor.. May god help them..
Thilak Monday, 12 October 2026 08:14 AM
Very impressive article. If we don't adopt prolonged plans our country will collapse soon
Percy's Malay Pickle ❤️ Monday, 12 October 2026 09:53 AM
Collapsing has already happened. Read the court verdict to find who is responsible. And now it's uncollapsing time.
Terrence K Monday, 12 October 2026 08:45 AM
Prices in all countries have increased substantially. There are many factors and in the context of Sri Lanka we see a lot of bribery and corruption which has resulted in funds rightly to be in the Public purse has been siphoned elsewhere.. Then taking the population in the year 2010 it was only 10 million but whereas today it has doubled. Many governments have blundered in the employment in the public sector by providing employment to every dick tom and harry because the voters have supported them. What are the new investment programs that have been initiated in the export sector it is nothing. Even when investors come into the country they have been crippled by the bureacracy by the umpteen bottlenecks to get started. See the many holidays the public sector employees enjoy in a month in addition to the holidays given to them by way of casual, sick and privilege leave. What I see is that the private sector are meeting the expectations in developiing whilst the public sector parasites?
sr Monday, 12 October 2026 02:42 PM
Resp.editor, Sir, This problem is in beginning stage. Will cause enormous stress inside economy. Controlled socialisation 7 years and thereafter gradual mkt normalisation. Only method. But even with all these stress will remain for long times. Best way is innovation driven cost reduction as a govt. Policy and gdp maximisation. 15 yrs stress will remain before relief. Restructuring must be done on war footing considering global conditions. Hon.govt doing very good work being first time in power. IMF support valuable and bilateral financial aid/grants must be pursued.
upali amarasinghe Monday, 12 October 2026 03:20 PM
Prices in constant prices and also how it changed is more informative.
OlyAnalyst Friday, 06 November 2026 01:13 PM
Aw. White Keeri Samba raw rice (1Kg) is 360/-. How nice is Punarudaya!!!!
Sri Lanka Dengue Cases 2026: Live Tracker and Latest Updates
Ryanair responds to Kumar Sangakkara’s allegation
TIN certificate mandatory for eight transactions from November 1
How Much Have Prices Changed? Explore Sri Lanka in 2016 vs 2026
Central Bank declares 27 companies and apps prohibited schemes
Bay of Bengal depression set to become severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow
Crowds flock to IRD as TIN requirement takes effect
CEYPETCO increases Petrol and Diesel prices
Rakitha Rajapakshe’s bank accounts suspended amid bribery probe
Kumar Sangakkara opens up on Ryanair ’race storm’
Loading comments…