Colombo, July 22 - With Sri Lanka’s inflation increasing to 2.4 per cent in June from 1.6 per cent reported in May according to the national consumer price index, people appeared to have been compelled to spend more on transport, alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

Inflation in the transport category had increased from 6.9 per cent to 7.5 per cent during the period, whereas it had fallen from 4.9 per cent to 4.3 per cent in the category of hotels and restaurants.

In the category of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, the inflation had increased from 26.6 per cent to 27. 1 per cent as calculated by the index.

The inflation in the food category, which was reported as 0.5 per cent in May rose to 1.9 per cent in June, according to the department.

In the non-food category, inflation rose from 2.4 per cent to 2.7 per cent. However, the cost of water, electricity and gas have dropped during the period