Sri Lanka inflation jumps to a record 60.8% in July

A worker sits in a truck delivering rice and vegetables to shops, amid the rampant food inflation, amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jul 29 , 2022. REUTERS

Sri Lanka's inflation surged to a record 60.8% in July, the crisis-struck country's statistics department said on Friday, compared to a 54.6% rise in June.

The jump in the Colombo Consumer Price Index was led by a 90.9% climb in food inflation, the Census and Statistics Department said in a statement.

The island nation has been gripped by a political and economic crisis that has forced a change of leadership, and is now in a state of emergency.