With the exchange crisis and the unstable political background, commodity prices in Sri Lanka are rising almost daily.
According to the Department of Census and Statistics, inflation was 29.8% last month.
This high inflation has been due to the sharp rise in the prices of essential food items including milk powder, rice, bread, dhal and sugar last month.
Rising prices of non-food fuels such as diesel and gas have also pushed up inflation this month.
During the period from January 1 to date, the prices of essential commodities, including essential food items, have increased by 60% to 140%.
The price of 92 octane petrol has increased by Rs. 161 per liter, an increase of 91%.
Diesel price increased by Rs. 168 or 139% per liter.
12.5 77% increase in the price of a domestic gas cylinder.
The price of a kilogram of sugar which was 147 rupees on the 1st of January has now exceeded 260 rupees.
During that period the price of a kilogram of dhal has increased by around Rs. 300.
The average increase in the price of a kilogram of samba rice from January to date is 87 rupees.
Now you need 240 rupees to buy a kilogram of samba rice.
Even a 400 gram milk packet has increased by Rs. 310 since January 01.
While a kilogram of bread flour increases by 134 rupees, the price of a loaf of bread increases by 83 rupees.
A bag of cement which was Rs. 1275 on the 1st of January is now Rs. 2,850
All this is causing the masses to fall into trouble day by day.
When will these be resolved?