The Central Bank announced the September figures for inflation as measured by the change in the national Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Inflation hit 8.6% in September up from 7.9% in August, on a year on year basis. The highest inflation rate in six months.

The increase was mainly due to the prices of food items such as coconuts, red onions, rice, lime, fruits and sugar.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel also increased along with clothing, footwear, utilities and household equipment, tobacco and alcoholic beverages.