Colombo, 25 August 2026 – Sri Lankan consumers witnessed a mixed bag of price movements across key food commodities today, with significant declines reported in most vegetable categories while green chilli saw a notable surge. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) released its Daily Price Report for 25 August 2026, offering crucial insights into wholesale and retail market trends nationwide.
The report, a vital barometer for economic stability and cost of living, highlighted favourable supply conditions for several essential vegetables, leading to price reductions in major markets. However, limited supply channels impacted other items, pushing their prices upwards.
Key Vegetable Price Movements
According to the CBSL’s summary of price developments, several commonly consumed vegetables experienced significant declines:
- Beans: Prices for beans dropped in both the Pettah and Dambulla markets. In Pettah, prices decreased from Rs. 550.00/kg to Rs. 400.00/kg, while in Dambulla, they fell from Rs. 405.00/kg to Rs. 345.00/kg. This positive trend is attributed to a favourable supply from Balangoda, Dambulla, and Sigiriya areas.
- Carrot: Consumers also found relief in carrot prices. Pettah saw a decline from Rs. 250.00/kg to Rs. 200.00/kg, and Dambulla experienced a drop from Rs. 220.00/kg to Rs. 195.00/kg, thanks to ample supply from the Nuwara Eliya region.
- Cabbage: The Dambulla market reported a decrease in cabbage prices, moving from Rs. 210.00/kg to Rs. 195.00/kg, supported by favourable supply from Puttalam and Nuwara Eliya areas.
- Tomato: Similarly, tomato prices in Dambulla declined from Rs. 295.00/kg to Rs. 245.00/kg, owing to a good supply from Puttalam, Kalpitiya, and Sigiriya.
In contrast to the general downward trend for vegetables, Green Chilli saw a sharp increase. Prices in the Pettah market surged from Rs. 500.00/kg to Rs. 700.00/kg, primarily due to a limited supply originating from the Jaffna area.
Fish Market Dynamics
The report also shed light on the fresh fish market, with a notable decline in Hurulla prices. In the Negombo fish market, Hurulla saw its price drop from Rs. 1,260.00/kg to Rs. 1,100.00/kg. This reduction is attributed to a favourable supply from the Northern coastal area, offering some relief to seafood consumers.
Other Key Commodities
Among other essential items, Local Potato prices declined further in the Dambulla market, moving from Rs. 303.00/kg to Rs. 285.00/kg. This was driven by a favourable supply from agricultural hubs like Nuwara Eliya and Welimada.
The comprehensive CBSL report provides a detailed breakdown of wholesale and retail prices for a wide range of food commodities across various markets including Pettah, Dambulla, Narahenpita, Peliyagoda, and Negombo. This daily update is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and the public to monitor inflation and understand market dynamics amidst current economic conditions.
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