COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 14 September 2026 – Consumers across Sri Lanka are facing varied price movements for essential commodities, according to the latest Daily Price Report released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). The report for 14 September 2026 highlights notable increases in the prices of several vegetables, local red onions, and certain fish varieties, primarily attributed to limited supply from key producing regions. However, there’s some relief for fruit lovers as pineapple prices have seen a decline.
Key Price Increases Signal Supply Constraints
The report underscores significant upward price adjustments across major markets:
- Vegetables: Carrot prices surged in both Pettah and Dambulla markets, climbing from Rs. 230.00 to Rs. 250.00 per kg in Pettah and Rs. 175.00 to Rs. 240.00 per kg in Dambulla. This increase is largely due to restricted supply from Welimada, Nuwara Eliya, and Keppetipola areas. Cabbage and Pumpkin also saw price hikes in Dambulla, with Cabbage rising to Rs. 300.00 per kg (from Rs. 250.00) due to limited supply from Puttalam, and Pumpkin reaching Rs. 210.00 per kg (from Rs. 135.00) owing to shortages from Galewela and Sigiriya.
- Lime: The versatile lime witnessed a substantial price jump in the Dambulla market, now trading at Rs. 830.00 per kg, up from Rs. 655.00. This is attributed to a constrained supply originating from the Anuradhapura region.
- Fish: Hurulla, a popular fish variety, experienced a sharp price increase in the Negombo fish market, escalating to Rs. 900.00 per kg from Rs. 650.00, driven by limited catches from the Wennappuwa area.
- Other Commodities: Local Red Onion prices also saw an uptick in both Pettah and Dambulla markets, reaching Rs. 430.00 per kg (from Rs. 400.00) and Rs. 320.00 per kg (from Rs. 295.00) respectively. This escalation is a direct consequence of reduced supply from the northern agricultural hubs of Jaffna and Mannar.
Favourable Supply Leads to Pineapple Price Drop
In a positive development for consumers, Pineapple prices have softened. Both Pettah and Dambulla markets recorded a decline, with prices in Pettah dropping from Rs. 425.00 to Rs. 325.00 per kg, and in Dambulla from Rs. 385.00 to Rs. 345.00 per kg. This welcome reduction is attributed to a favourable and increased supply from the Gampaha and Nittambuwa areas.
Broader Market Movements and Consumer Impact
Beyond these significant shifts, the detailed price report also provides wholesale and retail figures for a wide array of food commodities across key markets including Pettah, Dambulla, Narahenpita, Peliyagoda, and Negombo. While some staples like local potato and imported big onion showed minor fluctuations, rice varieties generally remained stable across markets.
These daily price movements reflect the dynamic interplay of agricultural harvests, regional supply chain efficiency, and consumer demand. For households across Sri Lanka, understanding these fluctuations is crucial for managing daily budgets amidst ongoing economic adjustments.
The Central Bank’s daily reports serve as an essential tool for monitoring market trends and informing policy decisions, offering transparency into the nation’s commodity prices.
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