News & market updates

The Thailand–Sri Lanka forum highlighted the newly enacted SLTFTA and reported bilateral trade rose 48% to $649m in 2025. Officials said the FTA and related measures should expand market access and investment across logistics, manufacturing, tourism, food processing, IT and healthcare.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum centred on implementing the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA to boost trade and investment after bilateral trade reached USD 649m in 2025 (+48% vs 2024). Delegates highlighted opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, IT, healthcare and tourism and urged streamlined customs and predictable FTA implementation.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum highlighted opportunities from the new Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA, with bilateral trade at USD 649m in 2025 (up 48%) and commitments to boost supply chains, investment and trade across food processing, logistics, IT, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing.

Sri Lanka and Thailand plan to deepen trade and investment using the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA and enhanced B2B engagement, targeting tourism, hospitality, food processing, agriculture, logistics and other sectors to boost bilateral ties and supply‑chain links.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka and VJSC hosted a tourism promotion event in Ho Chi Minh City on 8 June, highlighting VietJet's planned Ho Chi Minh–Colombo service from 18 Aug 2026 and Vietnam Airlines' direct flights later in 2026, boosting prospects for Sri Lanka's tourism industry and hotels.

Hayleys PLC agreed to sell its Maldivian subsidiary Luxury Resort (Pvt) Ltd to Bohemia Luxury Resort for USD 17.25m. The group recognised impairment losses of LKR 6.9bn and a LKR 1.23bn loss from discontinued operations, with assets held for sale of LKR 6.05bn.

Hayleys PLC reported FY2025/26 revenue of Rs.585.02 bn (up 19%) and consolidated Profit Before Tax of Rs.38.04 bn (up 4%). Consumer & Retail revenue rose 44% to Rs.156.74 bn, Q4 revenue grew 29%, the group completed a Rs.9 bn rights issue and Fitch affirmed a 'AAA (lka)' rating.

eMarketingEye launched Sri Lanka’s first AI Visibility Study for Hotels, analysing AI visibility for 742 hospitality brands across 18 segments on platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity. The study names segment winners (e.g., Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle) and urges hotels to optimise for AI-driven discovery.

Hayleys PLC reported record FY2024/25 consolidated revenue of Rs.492.2 billion (up 13%) and profit after tax of Rs.22.5 billion (up 52%). The group was named No.1 in the LMD 100 for the 10th time, retained Fitch 'AAA (lka)', earned USD 685m in exports and sources 74% of energy from renewables.

Hayleys PLC ranked No.1 in the LMD 100 and reported record FY2024/25 consolidated revenue of Rs.492.2 billion (13% YoY), PBT Rs.35.4 billion (+40%) and PAT Rs.22.5 billion (+52%). Exports were $685m (53% of revenue), 74% of energy from renewables and Fitch retained a 'AAA (lka)' rating.

Hayleys Leisure (CONN.N0000) appointed Rajitha Amarasinghe as Director of Operations for Amaya Resorts & Spas. He will oversee Amaya Resorts & Spas and the Boutique Collection, focusing on operational excellence, guest experience and financial performance, bringing over two decades of hospitality experience.

Hayleys Fentons Ltd and Hayleys Electronics Ltd secured Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Tier I certification from Sri Lanka Customs, enabling accelerated customs clearance and streamlined regulatory procedures. The recognition reflects governance across the Hayleys Group and should support improved supply-chain performance for group companies.

Hayleys PLC posted FY25 PBT of Rs.35.37bn, up 40% YoY, on record consolidated revenue of Rs.492.20bn (up 13%). Exports were $875m (53% of revenue), renewable energy met 74% of group consumption and net finance costs fell 30%.

Colombo market gained further momentum as the ASPI rose 1.15% (183.5 pts) with turnover of Rs. 4.5 billion led by heavy trading in John Keells, Lanka Realty, Commercial Bank, LOLC Holdings and Sampath Bank. Separately, Lanka IOC announced a first and final dividend of Rs. 5 per share.

Hayleys Leisure PLC appointed Milinda Hewagama as a Non-Executive Director. Hewagama is Group Chief Financial Officer of Hayleys PLC and a director of The Kingsbury PLC.

Hayleys PLC launched the 2nd edition of its Lifecode ESG roadmap, adding six new focus areas and revised targets; the Group says it now sources around 70% of its energy from renewables and is on track to meet its 2030 environmental targets.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.75% to 17,044.67, led by gains in capital goods and power/energy with top contributors including Lanka IOC, Melstacorp and Bukit Darah. Turnover was 5.9 billion rupees, with a net domestic inflow of 492 million and a net foreign outflow of 492 million rupees.

Vietnam’s Ambassador met Hayleys PLC to discuss expanding economic cooperation and potential joint ventures in agriculture, plantations, transport, logistics and power; annual bilateral trade is around US$300m.

Dipped Products PLC appointed Anomi Wanigasekera as an Independent Non-Executive Director and member of its Audit Committee and Related Party Transactions Review Committee. Wanigasekera is a partner at Julius & Creasy with over 40 years' experience and sits on the boards of Haycarb PLC and Hayleys Leisure PLC.

Hayleys PLC subsidiary Hayleys Advantis has been appointed the General Sales Agent for Jetstar Asia’s new Colombo–Singapore route, which will operate five weekly return A320 flights and has reported strong forward bookings. The service is expected to boost tourism and cargo connectivity, aiding exporters and travel-related businesses.

Jetstar Asia has launched direct Singapore–Colombo flights with five weekly return A320 services, offering over 90,000 low-fare seats a year. The new route is expected to boost inbound tourism and benefit Sri Lankan hospitality firms and partners such as Hayleys.

Hayleys PLC reported H1 Profit Before Tax of Rs.12.73 bn, up 78% y/y, with consolidated revenue rising 17% to Rs.236.15 bn and annualised EPS at Rs.4.23. Growth was led by Consumer & Retail (+52%), Transportation & Logistics (+26%) and Projects & Engineering (+87%); net finance costs fell ~35% and Fitch retained AAA (lka).

Colombo market ended a seven-day winning streak as the ASPI fell 8 points and the S&P SL20 slipped 4 points, with turnover of Rs.1.86 billion. Banking stocks led turnover (34%) while quarterly results boosted PARQ, CONN and JETS, Sampath and Pan Asia were active, and Vidullanka announced an interim dividend of Rs.0.20 per share.