Inflation in February

The annual average inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumers' Price Index (CCPI) (2002=100), computed by the Department of Census and Statistics, stabilized at 3.1 percent in February.

However, on a point-to-point basis, inflation increased to 6.9 percent as anticipated, reflecting mainly the lower base in the corresponding month of 2009.

The general price level as indicated by the monthly index recorded an increase of 0.2 percent in February, over the previous month, with the Index increasing in absolute terms from 216.4 to 216.9.

The contribution to the monthly increase in the Index originated mainly from price increases in the sub categories of Health (4.3 percent) and Education (2.3 percent).

Food and non-alcoholic beverages sub category, which accounts for 46.7 percent of the CCPI item basket, remained unchanged during the month.