COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 16 September 2026 – Consumers across Sri Lanka are observing a mixed bag of price movements in essential food commodities, according to the latest Daily Price Report released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) for September 16, 2026. The report indicates notable declines in the prices of several key vegetables and certain fish varieties, primarily driven by improved supply, while some commodities have seen an upward trend due to limited availability.
The CBSL’s daily assessment provides crucial insights into the wholesale and retail price developments across major markets including Pettah, Dambulla, Narahenpita, Peliyagoda, and Negombo, offering a vital snapshot of the nation’s economic pulse in daily consumer goods.
Vegetable Prices Witness Significant Declines
The vegetable market, a significant component of household budgets, offered some relief to consumers today. Several key items saw price reductions:
- Beans: Prices for Beans declined notably in the Dambulla market, moving from Rs. 395.00/kg yesterday to Rs. 360.00/kg today. This favourable shift is attributed to increased supply from the Nuwara Eliya area.
- Carrot: Consumers also benefited from a drop in Carrot prices. Both Pettah and Dambulla markets reported declines, with Pettah seeing a reduction from Rs. 250.00/kg to Rs. 230.00/kg and Dambulla from Rs. 185.00/kg to Rs. 175.00/kg. Similar to Beans, a favourable supply from Nuwara Eliya was cited as the primary reason.
- Brinjal: In Dambulla, Brinjal prices fell from Rs. 355.00/kg to Rs. 310.00/kg, thanks to a healthy supply originating from the Puttalam and Matale regions.
- Lime: A significant decline was observed in Lime prices in the Dambulla market, dropping from Rs. 1,005.00/kg to Rs. 790.00/kg. This reduction is primarily due to a favourable supply arriving from the Anuradhapura area.
Fish Market Shows Divergent Trends
The fish markets presented a more varied picture, with some species experiencing price drops while others became more expensive:
- Hurulla: Wholesale prices for Hurulla fish declined in both Peliyagoda and Negombo markets. Peliyagoda saw a fall from Rs. 1,000.00/kg to Rs. 800.00/kg, while Negombo recorded a drop from Rs. 850.00/kg to Rs. 590.00/kg. This downward trend is attributed to favourable supply from the Northern and North Western coastal areas.
- Linna: Conversely, the wholesale price of Linna fish increased in both Peliyagoda and Negombo. Prices rose from Rs. 650.00/kg to Rs. 850.00/kg in Peliyagoda and from Rs. 720.00/kg to Rs. 800.00/kg in Negombo. This increase is largely due to a limited supply from the Southern coastal area.
Other Key Commodity Movements
Beyond vegetables and fish, the report highlighted price adjustments in other essential commodities:
- Local Red Onion: The Dambulla market saw a decline in the price of Local Red Onion, moving from Rs. 355.00/kg to Rs. 295.00/kg. This was influenced by favourable supply conditions from Puttalam and Anuradhapura areas.
- Imported Potato: Imported Potato prices also decreased in the Dambulla market, from Rs. 213.00/kg to Rs. 185.00/kg. The availability of lower-quality Pakistani varieties contributed to this price reduction.
Broader Market Overview
While the detailed report pointed to specific price fluctuations, many other essential goods remained relatively stable across markets on September 16th. Cabbage, Tomato, Pumpkin, and most rice varieties, including Samba, Nadu, and Kekulu, showed minimal change in their wholesale and retail prices in major trading hubs like Pettah, Dambulla, and Marandagahamula. Imported items such as Dried Chilli, certain types of Big Onion, and local Potato also maintained stable price points, indicating a degree of consistency in the wider commodity basket.
The CBSL’s daily price report serves as an essential indicator for both consumers and policymakers, reflecting the immediate impact of supply chain dynamics and agricultural yields on the cost of living.
Source: Read original document
