Sri Lanka’s Poverty Line Rises to Rs. 16,730; Colombo Most Expensive District

Sri Lanka’s official poverty line has been set at Rs. 16,730 per person per month for January 2026, according to the (DCS). The figure represents the minimum monthly income required to meet basic living needs.

Among all districts, Colombo remains the most expensive, with individuals needing Rs. 18,044 per month to cover essential expenses.

📊 How the Poverty Line Is Calculated

The national poverty line is regularly updated to reflect inflation and economic changes. It is calculated using the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) with a new base year of 2021(2021=100), while the framework for determining basic needs continues to rely on the 2012/13 Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

In January 2026, the NCPI reached 211.4, with year-on-year inflation reported at 2.4%, contributing to the latest increase.

📈 A Decade of Rising Living Costs

A comparison over the past decade shows a sharp rise in living expenses:

2012/13: Just above Rs. 5,000

2016: Around Rs. 6,000

2019: Around Rs. 7,000

Early 2025: Surpassed Rs. 16,000

January 2026: Rs. 16,730

Economic disruptions and inflation significantly accelerated the increase in recent years.

🏙️ District-Level Breakdown

There is notable variation across districts:

Colombo – Rs. 18,044 (highest)

Gampaha – Rs. 17,951

Kalutara – Rs. 17,562

Kandy – Rs. 16,983

Galle – Rs. 16,998

Kurunegala – Rs. 16,434

Jaffna – Rs. 16,327

Moneragala – Rs. 15,997 (lowest)

The data highlights the growing cost of living and regional economic differences across the country.