The Cost of New Year Kevili Table in 2026

Abstract

The cost of a traditional kevili table for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has risen by 7% in 2026 compared to 2025. A kevili table, a customary feature during New Year celebrations in Sri Lanka, includes an assortment of traditional sweetmeats symbolising prosperity and happiness. In 2026, prices increased for six of the eight items included in the kevili table. The sharpest rise was recorded in aluwa which increased by 25.8% driven by a 43.6% increase in cashew prices. The steepest decline was recorded for milk rice, which fell by 14.1%, primarily due to a 17.5% reduction in coconut prices from the historically high levels recorded in 2025.

Beyond item-level changes, the overall increase in the kevili table 2026 was driven primarily by higher coconut oil and rice flour prices, which together accounted for nearly 80% of the total increase.