New Year festivities cost more 

The cost of preparing a traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year sweetmeat table has risen by 7 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a recent study by Verité Research.The increase is largely attributed to a steep surge in coconut prices, which has significantly impacted the cost of key sweetmeats and festive dishes.

The sweatmeat table, a hallmark of Avurudu celebrations in Sri Lanka, features a variety of traditional sweet items such as milk rice (kiribath), kokis, and aluwa, symbolising prosperity and togetherness. However, the rising cost of coconuts and coconut oil — essential ingredients in many of these preparations— has made this year’s table notably more expensive.

According to the data, collected from open markets in Colombo, and official statistics from the Department of Census and Statistics, the price of coconuts rose by 80 percent year-on-year, while coconut oil increased by 40 percent. As a result, milk rice saw a 57 percent increase in cost, and kokis went up by 35 percent in 2025.

According to the findings, five out of eight core ‘kevili’ items experienced price hikes, while the prices of most other ingredients remained stable or declined. Despite the moderate year-on-year increase, the cost of an average ‘kevili’ table remains more than double what it was in 2019 — 2.4 times higher in 2025, compared to 2.2 times in 2024.

The report says that the broader inflationary pressures affecting seasonal traditions and underscores how fluctuations in agricultural commodity prices, particularly coconuts, continue to impact household celebrations across the country.