COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 25 September 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today released its Daily Price Report, providing a crucial snapshot of commodity market dynamics across the island for 25 September 2026. The report highlights a day of mixed trends, with several key vegetable prices experiencing an uptick in major markets, while certain fish varieties and other essential goods saw price reductions.
The latest data, compiled from key wholesale and retail hubs like Pettah, Dambulla, Narahenpita, and Negombo, indicates that supply-side factors continue to be a significant driver of price volatility, impacting household budgets and market stability.
Vegetable Market Sees Notable Price Hikes and Declines
Consumers in the capital felt the pinch as several staple vegetables registered price increases:
- Beans: Prices in the Pettah market surged from Rs. 500.00 to Rs. 600.00 per kilogram, attributed to a limited supply originating from the Welimada area.
- Carrot: Pettah also recorded a rise in carrot prices, moving from Rs. 200.00 to Rs. 250.00 per kilogram, largely due to constrained supply from Nuwara Eliya.
- Cabbage: Similarly, cabbage saw an increase in Pettah, climbing from Rs. 250.00 to Rs. 300.00 per kilogram, also linked to reduced supply from the Nuwara Eliya region.
- Green Chilli: A significant increase was observed in Green Chilli prices, with retail rates in Pettah rising from Rs. 300.00 to Rs. 400.00 per kilogram.
However, not all news was grim for vegetable shoppers. In the Dambulla market, the price of Lime experienced a notable decline, dropping from Rs. 880.00 to Rs. 655.00 per kilogram. This favourable adjustment was due to an improved supply from the Mahiyangana and Dambulla cultivation areas.
Fish and Seafood Dynamics
The seafood sector presented varied movements. A welcome relief for consumers was the decline in Linna fish prices in the Negombo market, which fell from Rs. 1,060.00 to Rs. 890.00 per kilogram. This reduction was primarily due to a favourable supply arriving from the Southern coastal area.
Conversely, some fish varieties saw marginal increases. Thalapath wholesale prices in Peliyagoda rose from Rs. 1,800.00 to Rs. 2,000.00 per kilogram, while Salaya retail in Negombo increased from Rs. 560.00 to Rs. 660.00 per kilogram.
Other Essential Commodities: Coconut Up, Potato Down
Among other key commodities, the price of Coconut witnessed an increase in the Dambulla market, rising from Rs. 118.00 to Rs. 130.00 per nut. This upward trend is attributed to limited supply from the Ibbagamuwa and Kurunegala areas.
In positive news, Local Potato prices declined in Dambulla, moving from Rs. 300.00 to Rs. 270.00 per kilogram, thanks to a favourable supply from the Nuwara Eliya area.
The market for onions showed mixed signals, with local red onion prices slightly up in Pettah but down in Dambulla.
Rice Market Remains Largely Stable
The report indicates a relatively stable environment for rice prices across all major varieties. Samba, Nadu, and Kekulu (White and Red) rice largely maintained their prices in both wholesale and retail markets, offering some consistency for consumers amidst other fluctuations.
The CBSL’s Daily Price Report serves as a vital tool for policymakers, businesses, and consumers alike, offering transparent insights into the real-time cost of essential goods. These daily fluctuations underscore the delicate balance of supply chain management and the ongoing impact of agricultural yields and seasonal factors on Sri Lanka’s economy.
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