Written by Jiffry• September 1, 2026• 11:32 am• Business • Views: 54

Fuel gets cheaper, but food prices rise as September begins

The first week of September is bringing a mixed picture for household spending, with petrol prices falling while several everyday food prices are going up.

The price of Petrol 92 has fallen by Rs.15 per litre to Rs.399, while Petrol 95 has dropped by Rs.20 to Rs.475.

At the same time, wheat flour prices have increased by Rs.17 per kilogram, pushing up the prices of several flour-based foods.

Three-wheeler fares, meanwhile, will remain unchanged for now.

The Sri Lankan rupee has also gained slightly against the US dollar, with the Central Bank reporting lower buying and selling rates.

Taken together, the latest changes show that not all prices are moving in the same direction as September begins.

Petrol prices fall across three suppliers

The lower fuel prices took effect from midnight on August 30.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), which operates under the Ceypetco brand, reduced Petrol 92 from Rs.414 to Rs.399 per litre.

Petrol 95 fell from Rs.495 to Rs.475.

Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) made the same reductions, while Sinopec also adopted the new prices.

The Rs.15 reduction in Petrol 92 and Rs.20 reduction in Petrol 95 could reduce fuel costs for motorists and businesses that depend on road transport.

But the lower petrol price has not led to an immediate reduction in three-wheeler fares.

Three-wheeler fares stay unchanged

L. Rohana Perera, General Secretary of the National Joint Three-Wheeler Drivers and Industrial Workers’ Association, said operators will continue to use the existing fare structure.

Passengers are officially charged Rs.110 for the first kilometre and Rs.90 for each kilometre after that.

Perera said the National Transport Commission has prepared a fare structure for three-wheelers and submitted it to the relevant ministry.

He said the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority cannot request or introduce a fare change because the National Transport Commission has regulatory authority over three-wheeler fares.

He also said drivers generally charge around Rs.110 to Rs.120 in normal operations, rather than always following the official rates.

For now, three-wheeler operators will keep the existing fares until authorities introduce a legally approved revision.

Flour prices move in the opposite direction

While fuel prices have fallen, the cost of wheat flour has moved higher.

Prima Ceylon and Serendib Flour Mills increased wheat flour prices by Rs.17 per kilogram from August 29.

The increase has already reached some everyday food items.

The All-Island Canteen Owners’ Association has announced a Rs.5 increase for flour-based short eats, including parata and egg roti.

A string hopper will cost Re.1 more, while the price of a hopper will increase by Rs.2.

Bread prices have not changed yet.

The All-Island Bakery Owners’ Association is due to discuss the higher flour cost at a central committee meeting on August 31.

Association President N.K. Jayawardena said the committee will decide whether bakeries should increase the prices of bread and other bakery products.

That decision will be closely watched because bread is a daily purchase for many households, while bakeries must also manage the higher cost of their main raw material.

The rupee also gains against the dollar

The latest price movements also come alongside a small improvement in the exchange rate.

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the rupee strengthened against the US dollar, with the buying rate moving from Rs.324.07 to Rs.323.51 and the selling rate falling from Rs.333.17 to Rs.332.66.

The rupee also recorded smaller movements against a basket of other currencies, including Gulf currencies.

A stronger rupee can reduce the local currency cost of imported goods and inputs, although the effect depends on the product, import costs and pricing decisions by businesses.

For consumers, the early September picture is therefore mixed.

Fuel is cheaper. Three-wheeler fares are unchanged. But flour-based foods are already becoming more expensive, and bread prices could be the next decision to watch.