Jan 31, Colombo: Sri Lanka's inflation as measured by consumer prices in Colombo rose in January this year, figures released Thursday by the Statistics Department of the Central Bank showed.

The inflation as measured by Colombo Consumers' Price Index (CCPI) increased to 9.8 percent in January 2013 from 9.2 percent in December 2012.

The Central Bank attributed the increase in inflation to the rising food prices brought about by the adverse weather conditions the country experienced in the later part of 2012.

The prices of most varieties of vegetables, fresh fish, dried fish, red onions, coconuts and some varieties of fruits increased during the month of January.

The inflation rate on an annual average basis also increased to 8.1 percent in January 2013 from 7.6 percent in the previous month.

On absolute terms the CCPI index increased to 170.0 from 168.6 in December 2012.

The government in 2013 budget aimed to stabilize prices of commodities to achieve a moderate inflation for this year.