📰 SRI LANKA MONEY WEEKLY
Sri Lanka Money Weekly: Tomato Jumps 37%, Fish Prices Double (13–19 Oct 2026)
TL;DR: The rupee was flat at 326.67, AWPR dipped to 11.11%, and the Finance Ministry killed the viral 20.5% VAT rumour — the rate stays at 18%. But in the markets, tomato jumped 37% in Dambulla and salaya fish prices doubled in Negombo. Carrot and green chilli got cheaper.
| Indicator | This week | Last week | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD/LKR (TT sell) | 326.67 | 326.46 | +0.06% |
| AWPR | 11.11% | 11.16% | −0.05pp |
| Policy rate (OPR) | 8.75% | 8.75% | — |
| Petrol 92 (Rs./L) | 414 | 414 | — |
| CCPI inflation | 8.0% | 8.0% | — |
The rupee barely moved against the dollar — a 0.06% shift is noise, not a trend. The more interesting number is AWPR ticking down 5 basis points to 11.11%, its second consecutive weekly dip. If you’re shopping for a loan, that small move in the prime lending rate is worth watching. Check what it means for your EMI →
VAT stays at 18% — Deputy Finance Minister debunks viral claims
The biggest story this week wasn’t a number, it was a non-event. Viral posts claimed VAT had been raised to 20.5%. Deputy Finance Minister Nishantha Jayaweera confirmed this is false — the general VAT rate remains 18%. The 20.5% figure applies only to financial services, effective from 1 July 2026 under the VAT (Amendment) Bill.
If you’re invoicing, nothing changes. Make a VAT-compliant invoice →
Market basket: tomato reverses, fish spikes
The CBSL daily price report (19 Oct) shows sharp moves in both directions compared to last Friday:
- Tomato up 37% in Dambulla (Rs. 405 → 555/kg) — limited supply from Kekirawa and Sigiriya. A sharp reversal from last week’s drop.
- Salaya doubled in Negombo (Rs. 220 → 450/kg) and up 75% in Peliyagoda — limited supply from the northern coastal area.
- Linna up 33–42% in both fish markets on tight southern coastal supply.
- Carrot down 23% in Pettah (Rs. 300 → 230/kg) — good supply from Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela.
- Green chilli down 12–16% in both markets — favourable supply from Jaffna and Trincomalee.
If you run a food business, this is the week to push carrot-based dishes and go easy on tomato and fish. Cost your menu properly →
What to watch next week
- PUCSL electricity tariff decision — public consultation on 4Q-2026 tariffs closes 5 November. Proposals range from +1.46% to +2.88%.
- Fuel prices — unchanged since 1 October (Petrol 92 at Rs. 414). The next revision window is approaching.
- AWPR trend — two consecutive weekly dips. If it continues, loan rates should follow.
Sources
- CBSL Daily Economic Indicators, 16 Oct 2026 — cbsl.gov.lk
- CBSL Daily Price Report, 19 Oct 2026 — price_report_20261019_e.pdf
- Deputy Finance Minister statement on VAT — via Daily FT, Daily Mirror (Oct 2026)
All figures are CBSL indicative rates. Commercial bank rates may differ. This is not financial advice.