Sri Lanka’s Official Poverty Line Rises to Rs. 17,592

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka’s official poverty line has increased to Rs. 17,592 per person per month in June 2026, up by Rs. 277 from May, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.

The figure represents the minimum monthly expenditure considered necessary for one person to meet basic needs.

For June, the increase was attributed to a rise in the National Consumer Price Index, with the district-level poverty lines also adjusted for differences in prices across the country.

The June figure marks an increase of about 1.6 percent compared with May, when the national poverty line stood at Rs. 17,315.

Colombo recorded the highest official poverty line at Rs. 18,973, followed by Gampaha at Rs. 18,876 and Kalutara at Rs. 18,467.

At the other end of the scale, Monaragala recorded the lowest figure at Rs. 16,821.

According to the department, the data also highlights the substantial increase in the official poverty threshold over the longer term.

In 2019, the national official poverty line was Rs. 6,966. 

By June 2026, it had risen to Rs. 17,592, an increase of more than Rs. 10,600, or over 150 percent.