Sri Lanka’s inflation rose 2.1% last year, well below its target of 5%, the central bank said Thursday, but projected a "gradual acceleration” in 2026.
While low inflation may appear positive for consumers, a rate below the central bank’s target signals underlying economic issues including weak consumer demand.
Sri Lanka has been slowly emerging from its worst economic meltdown in 2022, when it ran out of foreign exchange reserves to pay for essential imports such as food, fuel and medicines.
But it was hit hard in November by a cyclone that killed at least 643 people — with another 183 listed as missing — and affected more than 10% of the island’s population.
The storm caused an estimated $4.1bn in direct physical damage to buildings and agriculture, according to the World Bank.
The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), the official measure of inflation, rose to 195.8 in December from 191.7 a year earlier, marking a 2.1% increase.
"Inflation projections... (since) November 2025 indicate a gradual acceleration of inflation towards the target of 5% in the period ahead,” the central bank said.
Sri Lanka has secured a $206mn emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to meet part of the relief costs.
The country has been stabilising its fragile economy with the help of a $2.9bn IMF bailout agreed in early 2023.