However, on an annualised basis, inflation moved up to 9.4 percent in May from 9.2 percent in April, the department said.
The twelve month moving average is usually taken as the official inflation figure by the government.
However, prices of dried fish and sour plantatins fell during the month, the statement said. As a result the Colombo Consumer Price Index or CCPI rose to 4553.1 in May over 4,321.6 in April.