News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower, with the ASPI down 0.38% to 21,148.71 and market turnover of Rs.1.094 billion; capital goods led turnover at Rs.389 million. Bogala Graphite reported an indirect change of control (shares down 2.01%) and Lankem Ceylon disclosed a Rs.500m corporate guarantee for its subsidiary (shares up 5.23%).

Odel PLC has revised its Odel Mall plan, prioritising completion of Zone 1 within 18-24 months and deferring Zone 2. Construction has recommenced, significant contracts and capital commitments remain, and the company is pursuing a reduced-scope financing plan plus loan restructuring with a HNB-led banking consortium.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.40% (up 85.60 pts) to 21,235.16 as banks led turnover (LKR 76.8m) and the S&P SL20 gained 0.73%. Commercial Bank announced the final allotment for its Basel III Tier-2 debenture issue, which was oversubscribed with applications for 244.23m debentures (LKR 24.42bn) and 150m debentures allocated to identified investors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 0.02% as the ASPI rose 3.83 points to 21,149.56; top positives included Seylan Bank (98.90) and PickMe, while John Keells (19.60), Hayleys (227.00) and Access Engineering (74.90) were the main detractors.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon's Basel III Tier-2 debenture issue was oversubscribed with applications for over 200 million debentures worth Rs 20 billion against an initial Rs 10 billion offer. CSE indices traded lower (ASPI down 0.11% at 21,424.48) with banks leading turnover at Rs 54.4 million.

Colombo market fell for an eighth session as ASPI dropped 0.60% (130.78 pts) to 21,697.72 amid renewed Middle East tensions, with turnover over Rs.1.4bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.91.7m. Declines were led by Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Hayleys and John Keells, while capital goods, food & beverage and banking drove turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell for a sixth straight session as the ASPI dropped 0.54% to 21,962.30. Turnover exceeded Rs.1.5bn with foreigners net sellers of Rs.185m; major drags included Melstacorp, John Keells, Carson Cumberbatch and CIC Holdings, while Access Engineering and Chevron Lubricants featured among top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the ASPI down 0.39% to 21,995.04 and the S&P SL20 down 0.27% to 6,150.33. Top negatives included Melstacorp, John Keells and Carson Cumberbatch while Digital Mobility Solutions, Royal Ceramics and Haycarb were positive; turnover was LKR 1.13 billion.

Colombo market extended losses as the ASPI fell 1.03% for the week to 22,178.73 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.85% to 6,194.22. Market turnover topped Rs.1.5bn with foreigners net sellers of Rs.157.9m and notable moves from SAMP, CINS, JKH, RCL (weak) and DIAL, BUKI, CARS, AEL, COMB (positive/active).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.19% (43.18 points) to 22,178.73 on turnover of Rs.1.54 billion. Asia Asset Finance announced GM and rights timetable and Associated Motor Finance said its merger with L B Finance will become effective by 31 July 2026.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat (ASPI +0.01% to 22,409.81) on Friday with market turnover of Rs1.91bn. Top contributors included DFCC, Melstacorp and Central Finance while John Keells, Access Engineering, Haycarb and Aitken Spence lagged; Nations Trust Bank announced allotment of its Basel III Tier 2 debenture issue and its shares closed at Rs318 (-0.08%).

Dividend · Rs 1.00 · XD Jun 26, 2026

Final dividend of LKR 1/share; XD 2026-06-26; record 2026-06-29; payable 2026-07-16; FY ended 31st March 2026

ASPI jumped 3.43% (743.22 pts) to 22,380.65 as markets rallied on signs of a possible end to the Middle East war, with index-weighted counters SAMP, COMB, JKH, MELS and DIAL among top contributors; turnover exceeded Rs.4bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.21.1m).

ASPI fell 0.4% (85.70 pts) to 21,461.47 as selling pressure reversed early gains; turnover was below Rs.1.7bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.55.9m. Major negative contributors were C T Holdings, Melstacorp, Ambeon, Access Engineering and Central Finance, while John Keells, Chevron Lubricants and Commercial Bank were top turnover names.

Colombo Stock Exchange dipped midday as the ASPI fell 0.10% to 22,155.45 with market turnover at 981 million rupees; Consumer Durables & Apparel led turnover at 348.1 million rupees. Central Finance, Hemas and Browns gained, while Access Engineering, Ceylon Cold Stores and Sampath Bank were down.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher on May 29, 2026, with the ASPI up 111.57 points to 22,310.80 and turnover at Rs.7.37 billion, driven by a ~400m-share block of HNB Finance (Rs.3.52bn) sold by Prime Lands. Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Access Engineering and Hemas were among the main positive contributors.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.50% to 22,309.23 midday Friday, with turnover Rs.240.5m and capital goods leading turnover at Rs.94.3m. Top movers included Access Engineering, Aitken Spence (declared Rs.4 tax-exempt dividend), Hemas and Central Finance while SMB Finance, Watawala, John Keells and Windforce fell.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.50% to 22,310.80, with diversified financials leading turnover at Rs.3.89bn and total turnover Rs.7.38bn. Aitken Spence reported Q1 profit of Rs.3.81bn and declared a tax-exempt Rs.4.00/share dividend; Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings declared a Rs.0.28/share tax-exempt dividend.

Cabinet approved about Rs.112.44 billion in Treasury-funded contracts for Central Expressway Phase II, awarding Access Engineering a Rs.18.7 billion package. Seven local contractors won packages covering 18.65 km of the expressway, fully government-financed.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally higher, ASPI up 0.02% at 23,015.32 with turnover of Rs.3.66 billion. Real estate and transportation led turnover (Rs.495.2m and Rs.485.2m) and Abans Finance listed Rs.1.34bn five-year debentures; its shares rose 3.47%.

Colombo posted its biggest monthly gain since July 2025, with the ASPI up 7% and the S&P SL20 up 5.1% in April, with average daily turnover of Rs.3.66bn. Yesterday the indices fell (ASPI -0.38% to 22,550) on losses in John Keells, Sampath and Commercial Bank amid net foreign outflows of Rs.75mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower with the ASPI down 0.38% to 22,549.53 and market turnover at 3.44 billion rupees; capital goods led turnover (984.6 million). Lion Brewery and Watawala Plantations were top positive contributors while Dialog Axiata, John Keells and Commercial Bank were top negatives; Brent rose above $113.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, ASPI +0.07% to 22,635, with diversified financials leading turnover (Rs 1.98bn) helped by the debut of Janashakthi; total market turnover was Rs 4.19bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher with the ASPI up 0.11% to 22,592 and the S&P SL20 up 0.13% to 6,212 on turnover of Rs 799 million. Sampath Bank and John Keells were among top gainers while NDB, Access Engineering and LB Finance led declines; Browns Beach Hotels to delist with trading suspended from April 28.

The Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.32% (73.23 pts) to 22,566.58, with foreign investors a thin net buyer of Rs. 3.4m. Top negatives included Bukit Darah, Ceylon Beverage, RIL Property and Sampath; turnover was led by food & beverage while Ceylon Cold Stores and Nawaloka gained and Access Engineering and Softlogic Capital fell.

The EPF's listed equity portfolio rose 27% to Rs. 188.85 billion at end-2025. The fund cut holdings from 65 to 59, fully exited six counters (Cargills Bank, Ceylon Hotels, Colombo Dockyard, Jetwing Symphony, LAUGFS Gas, Sierra Cables) and added Hemas (40m shares); gains were led by banks and diversified stocks.

The ASPI fell 0.89% (203.26 pts) to 22,570.03 as Middle East tensions and higher global oil prices weighed on the Colombo bourse. RIL Property, C T Holdings, Commercial Bank and Browns Investments were among top negative contributors while Hikkaduwa Beach Resort and other tourism counters saw notable retail turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up: ASPI +1.30% (284.12 pts) to 22,128.66. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp and National Development Bank; turnover was Rs5.016bn and HNB Finance announced a Rs2,499,529,714 rights issue (2 for 9).

Colombo bourse opened mixed: ASPI rose 0.04% to 21,126.60 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.24%; market turnover exceeded Rs. 3bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 804.7m. Food & beverage and capital goods led turnover with heavy crossings in Melstacorp.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI closed up 0.04% to 21,126.60 as banking stocks faced selling pressure after NDB disclosed an internal fraud loss of 13.4 billion rupees and trading in NDB was halted. DFCC, Cargills Bank and Access Engineering led gains while Commercial Bank, HNB and Melstacorp were laggards; turnover was Rs.3.029bn.