National poverty baseline increases as Colombo registers highest monthly cost of living threshold

Sri Lankans now require a higher monthly income to satisfy basic living requirements following a price surge in essential consumer goods.

Official data released by the Department of Census and Statistics reveals that the national minimum expenditure threshold reached Rs. 17,592 per person in June.

This represents an increase of 277 rupees compared with the preceding month.

The official baseline measures the minimum monthly funds required for an individual to afford a predetermined selection of essential food and non-food items.

Authorities update the figures on a monthly basis to account for ongoing shifts in retail market prices.

Significant regional variations were recorded across the island during the period under review.

Colombo registered the highest regional requirement at Rs. 18,973 per person, closely followed by Gampaha at Rs. 18,876 per person.

Conversely, Monaragala recorded the lowest financial threshold in the country, where the monthly cost of basic necessities stood at Rs. 16,821 per person.