Sri Lanka’s official poverty line has witnessed a sharp threefold rise within the span of just over a decade, a recent report by the Department of Census and Statistics revealed.

The relevant report revealed that the poverty line has risen from Rs. 5,223 in 2012 and 2013 to a whopping Rs. 17,014 by January this year.

In 2016, the Poverty Line increased to Rs. 6,117 from the Rs. 5,223 recorded in 2013. Later, the poverty line increased to Rs. 6,966 in 2019.

However, with the economic crisis in 2022 wreaking economic and social havoc, inflation skyrocketed pushing the poverty line to a twofold increase, reaching Rs. 15,970, as per the report.

According to the report, Colombo reported the highest poverty line, ranking with Rs. 17,608 in May, dropping from Rs. 18,350 in January.

The Colombo district claimed the top spot in the district-wise comparison of the poverty lines, with a poverty line of Rs. 17,608 being recorded in May this year down from a staggering Rs. 18,350 recorded earlier in January.

The Gampaha district, neighbouring Colombo came in second with a poverty line of Rs. 17,517, followed by Nuwara Eliya with Rs. 17,169.

Other districts such as Monaragala, Kilinochchi and Hambantota have ranked lower with poverty lines of Rs. 15,610, Rs. 15773 and Rs. 15,862 respectively.

The official poverty line represents the minimum income required for an individual or household to cover essential living expenses such as food, shelter, and healthcare.