In keeping with the trend of development in the country, the average income levels in nine districts of six provinces exceeded the national poverty line of Rs.3111 of August 2010.

The national poverty line was Rs.3072 in May, Rs.3098 in June and Rs.3097 in July 2010 showing an increase in the poverty line at national level.

According to the Department of Census and Statistics, the poverty line at national level is the minimum expenditure per person per month to fulfill basic needs.

Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha districts in the Western Province rank highest above the poverty line with personal expenditures of Rs.3466, Rs.3380 and Rs.3296 respectively last month (August).

Personal expenditures in the other districts above the poverty level are: Kandy (Rs.3188), Nuwara Eliya (Rs.3333), Galle (Rs.3199), Puttalam (Rs.3131), Badulla (Rs.3183) and Kegalle (Rs.3185).

Poverty levels in Matale (Rs.3080), Matara (Rs.3048), Hambantota (Rs.2998), Kurunegala (Rs.3038), Anuradhapura (Rs.2950), Polonnaruwa (Rs.3072), Moneragala (Rs.2946) and Rathnapura (Rs.3104) rank just below the poverty line although there is an increase in the poverty line in all these districts since the previous month of July.

The poverty line at national level rose rapidly since the 2002 level of Rs.1423. It was Rs.2845 in 2008, Rs.2942 in 2009, Rs.3003 in 2009 November, Rs.3038 in 2009 December, Rs.3079 in 2010 January, Rs.3087 in 2010 February, Rs.3057 in 2010 March and Rs.3025 in 2010 April.

These figures do not cover the Northern and Eastern Provinces.