Sri Lankan canteen owners have announced price increases for flour-based foods following a significant rise in wheat flour costs, with bakery operators set to meet next week to determine their own pricing strategy.

The All-Island Canteen Owners' Association has moved to raise prices across its menu in response to climbing input costs. Flour-based short eats such as parata and egg roti will see price increases of Rs. 5 each, while string hoppers will rise by Re. 1 and hoppers by Rs. 2, according to the association's announcement.

The price adjustment follows moves by flour suppliers Prima and Serendib, who increased the wholesale price of wheat flour by Rs. 17 per kilogram effective immediately. This wholesale increase has prompted the retail sector to pass costs along to consumers.

The bakery sector is expected to follow suit, with the Central Committee of the All-Island Bakery Owners' Association scheduled to convene on Monday to deliberate on pricing for bread and other baked goods. Association President N.K. Jayawardena indicated that formal decisions on price increases will emerge from that meeting, suggesting bakeries are also weighing how to manage the elevated flour costs.