Colombo, 15 September 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today released its Daily Price Report for 15 September 2026, offering a crucial snapshot of commodity price movements across key markets. The report indicates a mixed trend in essential goods, with notable declines in several vegetable prices providing some relief to consumers, while specific items like Green Chilli, Lime, and certain fish varieties experienced significant price hikes due to supply constraints.
Key Vegetable Price Movements: Favourable Supply Drives Declines
Consumers will welcome the news of declining prices for several staple vegetables, primarily attributed to favourable supply conditions:
- Carrot: The price of carrot saw a significant decline in the Dambulla market, dropping from Rs. 240.00/kg yesterday to Rs. 185.00/kg today. This favourable movement is due to an increased supply flowing in from the Nuwara Eliya area.
- Tomato: Tomato prices fell in both Pettah and Dambulla markets. In Pettah, prices decreased from Rs. 450.00/kg to Rs. 400.00/kg, while Dambulla saw a drop from Rs. 395.00/kg to Rs. 330.00/kg. These declines are a direct result of favourable supply from Balangoda and Sigiriya areas.
- Pumpkin: The Dambulla market reported a decline in pumpkin prices, moving from Rs. 210.00/kg yesterday to Rs. 175.00/kg today. This reduction is attributed to a robust supply from Galewela and Monaragala areas.
Surges in Green Chilli and Lime Prices Amidst Limited Supply
Conversely, certain high-demand commodities witnessed significant price increases, primarily driven by limited supply:
- Green Chilli: The Pettah market observed a notable increase in green chilli prices, rising from Rs. 450.00/kg to Rs. 600.00/kg. This surge is due to limited supply originating from the Jaffna area.
- Lime: Prices for lime continued their upward trend in the Dambulla market, reaching Rs. 1,005.00/kg today, up from Rs. 830.00/kg yesterday. This sharp increase is largely due to restricted supply from Mahiyanganaya and Anuradhapura areas.
Fish and Other Staples: Linna and Coconut See Price Hikes
Beyond vegetables, the report highlighted price movements in other critical food items:
- Linna (Fish): The Negombo fish market reported a further increase in Linna prices, climbing from Rs. 790.00/kg to Rs. 880.00/kg. This rise is attributed to limited supply from the Southern coastal area.
- Coconut: In the Dambulla market, the price of coconut increased from Rs. 118.00 per nut to Rs. 133.00 per nut. This increment is due to limited supply from Sigiriya, Mahiyanganaya, and Kurunegala areas.
Other commodities such as rice varieties, onions, potatoes, and dried chilli showed relatively stable or minor fluctuations across Pettah, Dambulla, and Narahenpita markets. Imported Red Dhal and Sugar (White) also maintained consistent retail prices in major markets.
Market Dynamics and Consumer Impact
Today’s CBSL Daily Price Report underscores the sensitivity of Sri Lanka’s commodity markets to supply-side factors. While favourable agricultural yields in key regions brought down prices for essential vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, and pumpkins, localised supply shortages for items like green chilli, lime, Linna fish, and coconut led to significant price pressures. These fluctuations highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining stable prices for a diverse basket of goods, directly impacting household budgets across the island.
DailyFC will continue to monitor these developments and provide timely updates on Sri Lanka’s economic landscape.
Source: Read original document
