Inflation continued to remain at single digit level for the 47th consecutive month in December 2012, states the Central Bank.

Inflation decreased to 9.2 per cent in December 2012 from 9.5 per cent in the previous month. However, the inflation rate on an annual average basis increased to 7.6 per cent in December 2012 from 7.2 per cent in November 2012, the Bank further said.

Core inflation, which is computed by excluding the items of fresh food, energy, transport, rice and coconut from the CCPI basket, increased both on a YoY and annual average basis to 7.6 per cent and 5.8 per cent, respectively, in December 2012 from 7.2 per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively, in November 2012.