Sri Lanka's poverty line crosses Rs 5000 mark for the eight time in 2020

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka's poverty line for October crossed Rs 5000 in October - the eighth time in 10 months this year - official data show. The poverty line indicates the minimum expense of a person to fulfill basic needs, in a month, according to the department of census and statistics. Statistics show that the national threshold has been growing since May before reaching Rs 5091 in October, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit livelihoods. The highest breadlines were recorded in the Colombo District - Rs 5527, Nuwara Eliya district - Rs 5415, and the Gampaha district - Rs 5359, department figures showed. The lowest had been recorded in the Monaragala district, with the figure standing at Rs 4794.