The cost of preparing a traditional kevili table for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has risen by 7% in 2025 compared to 2024, making it more than double what it was in 2019, according to a report by Verité Research.
The analysis revealed that ingredient prices increased by 7% between March 2024 and March 2025, largely due to sharp rises in the cost of coconuts and coconut oil, which surged by 80% and 40% respectively. Most other ingredients remained stable or saw slight decreases.
In 2024, the overall cost of ingredients had already increased by 2.2 times compared to 2019. By 2025, this figure rose further to 2.4 times the 2019 level.
A typical kevili table, a centrepiece of New Year celebrations symbolising prosperity, includes treats such as milk rice, kokis, bananas, aluwa, kevum, dodol, mun kevum, and butter cake. While the items vary from home to home, these sweets remain staples across the country.
The study used recipes from the popular YouTube channel “Ape Amma” to estimate quantities suitable for a household of 4–5 people. Only key ingredients were included in the analysis, excluding utilities and spices. Price data was sourced from the Department of Census and Statistics, based on Open Market Weekly Average Retail Prices in the Colombo District for April Week 1 of 2019 and 2023, and March Week 3 of 2024 and 2025.
