"The increase in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) is due to increase in prices of beef, most varieties of fresh fish, eggs, some varieties of vegetables and betel & Arecanuts. These price increases can be mainly attributed to short supply of locally produced agricultural consumer goods to the main markets in Colombo City," the Census Board said in a statement.
"It's a big jump in recent times and is slightly above our expectations," said Channa Amaratunga, Economist at Asia Securities.
"We anticipate CCPI inflation to rise further in the short-term amidst agricultural product shortages, w