The cost of preparing a traditional kevili or sweetmeats table for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has increased by 7% in 2025 compared to 2024, and is now more than twice as high as it was in 2019, according to a report by Verité Research.
The analysis found a 7% rise in the cost of ingredients between March 2024 and March 2025, driven primarily by significant increases in the prices of coconuts and coconut oil, which rose by 80% and 40% respectively. Most other ingredients either remained stable or decreased in price.
In 2024, the cost of ingredients had increased by 2.2 times compared to 2019, and by 2025, this figure has risen to 2.4 times the cost in 2019.
A kevili table typically features a selection of traditional Sri Lankan sweet treats that symbolise prosperity and happiness. While contents vary across households, common items include milk rice, kokis, bananas, aluwa, kevum, dodol, mun kevum and butter cake.
The analysis used quantities based on recipes from the popular YouTube channel “Ape Amma,” estimating portions for a household of 4–5 people. Only main ingredients were considered in the costing; utility costs (electricity/gas) and spices were excluded. Price data was sourced directly from the Department of Census and Statistics, specifically from its Open Market Weekly Average Retail Prices in the Colombo District for the following periods: April Week 1 of 2019 and 2023, and March Week 3 of 2024 and 2025.
(dailymirror.lk)
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