Half a Lime for Rs. 50?

Across the island, consumers are feeling the squeeze as lime prices surge — with a half a lime now fetching up to Rs. 50 in certain shops.

According to market sources, wholesale prices at major economic hubs such as Dambulla and Keppetipola have surged to between Rs. 1,900 and Rs. 2,000 per kilo, pushing retail prices to unprecedented levels.

The sharp spike is being blamed on a severe shortage of supply, leaving traders scrambling to meet demand. Some vendors, desperate to cash in, are reportedly selling even unripe or blemished limes in bulk.

With fewer limes reaching the market and prices climbing daily, some sellers have resorted to a creative — if desperate — strategy: cutting limes in half and selling them by the piece.

In a country where a splash of lime is a daily ritual — from spicy sambols to evening tea — this “lime crisis” has many Sri Lankans rethinking every squeeze.