Sri Lanka, Sept. 1 -- Sri Lanka's official national poverty line rose to Rs. 17,679 per person per month in July, up by Rs. 87 or 0.5% compared to Rs. 17,592 recorded in June, according to the latest figures from the Department of Census and Statistics.

This figure represents an increase of Rs. 1,195 or 7.2% compared to Rs. 16,484 recorded in July of the previous year. Standing at Rs. 16,730 in January 2026, the national official poverty line went up by Rs. 949 or 5.7% over the course of the year.

District-wise data showed that the highest official poverty line in July was recorded in the Colombo District at Rs. 19,067 per person per month. The figure reached Rs. 18,969 in the Gampaha District and Rs. 18,592 in the Nuwara Eliya District...