Sri Lanka’s inflation at 0.2-pct in May 2015

May 29, 2015 (LBO) - Sri Lanka’s consumer prices rose 0.





2 percent in May 2015 from a year earlier, against the 0.

1 percent recorded in April, the central bank said. The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) accelerated 0.



7 percent in the month, after recording a 0.2 percent acceleration in April.



CCPI increase was mainly caused by the increase in food prices, the central bank said. "Prices of many vegetable varieties, fresh fish and dried fish, big onion, lime and coconut increased during May 2015.



However, prices of rice, sugar, Maldive fish and some varieties of fruits recorded decreases during the month," "Within the Non-food category, prices in the sub categories of Miscellaneous Goods and Services; and Recreation and Culture increased, while all the other sub categories, namely, Clothing and Footwear; Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels; Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance; Health; Transport; Education and Communication remained unchanged during the month." The Index gained 1.3 points in the month to close at 179.8 points. Core inflation, which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy, increased marginally to 2.



6 percent in May 2015, from 2.4 percent in April 2015 on an year-on-year basis.



Annual average core inflation remained unchanged at 2.9 percent in May, compared to April 2015.