News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed with the ASPI down 0.06% at 22,229.71 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 6,209.85; market turnover was Rs.1.52bn and capital goods led turnover at Rs.834.9m. Dialog, Melstacorp and Bukit Darah were positive contributors, Aitken Spence, DFCC Bank and Ceylon Tobacco were top decliners, crossings were recorded in Hemas, Windforce and Printcare, and SANASA Life raised Rs.500m via subordinated debentures to meet regulatory capital requirements.

EDB held an awareness session for handicrafts, giftware, lifestyle and toy exporters with 100 SME participants to boost export capacity. Sessions covered packaging (presented by Printcare), IT and e-marketing, and consolidated freight services.

Finco Holdings increased its holding in Printcare Plc (CARE) to 11.21% after buying 2,648,582 shares at Rs 62 each.

Colombo market ended a four-day winning streak as the ASPI fell 0.4% (67 points) to 15,800 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.6%. Turnover was Rs.2.37bn; banking, diversified financials and Food & Beverage led declines, and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.90.6m.

EDB held an awareness seminar in Batticaloa on 18 February to promote its New Exporter Development Programme, attracting about 250 entrepreneurs from the Eastern Province. Stakeholders including Sampath Bank, Sri Lanka Telecom and Printcare offered support services and consultations at the event.

EDB held an awareness seminar on the New Exporter Development Programme on 18 Feb 2025 in Batticaloa to support about 250 Eastern Province entrepreneurs to enter export markets. Participating stakeholders included Sampath Bank, Sri Lanka Telecom and Printcare, with focus on fisheries, processed foods, export services and handlooms.

ASPI rose ~232 points (1.41%) to 16,578 as the Colombo market returned to positive territory with turnover of Rs.3.58bn. Ceylinco, Central Finance, Sampath, LOLC and NDB were top positive contributors while CTC, HNB and SPEN weighed on the index; Ambeon, JKH and Printcare also gained.

Printcare PLC (70% owner) has opened a new packaging facility in Kenya, its second overseas investment, targeting packaging for tea, horticulture and apparel to boost exports, create jobs locally and repatriate profits to Sri Lanka.

Executives from John Keells (JKL), Commercial Bank (COMB), Hayleys (HAYL), DIMO (DIMO), Horana Plantations (HOPL) and Printcare (CARE) were honoured as 'Top10 Champions of Diversity 2024' at a Women in Management Global and IFC event on 9 December 2024.