Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI, 2013=100) increased to 2.9 per cent in March 2019 from 2.4 per cent in February 2019 mainly due to the low base prevailed in the corresponding month of the previous year. Meanwhile, in March 2019, year-on-year Food and Non-food inflation recorded -2.3 per cent and 7.1 per cent respectively.
The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis remained unchanged at 1.7 per cent in March 2019.
When monthly change is considered, the NCPI declined by 0.2 per cent in March 2019 with the decrease observed in the prices of the items in the Food category, particularly that of rice, coconut and vegetables. However, within the Non-Food category prices of the items in Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco; Transport (petrol and diesel); Clothing and Footwear; and Miscellaneous Goods and Services subcategories increased during the month.