News & market updates

BPPL Holdings PLC has rotated its Independent Directors: Manjula De Silva, Sharmini Ratwatte and Savantha De Saram resigned effective 1 July 2025 after nine years, and Dinesh Dharmadasa, Natasha Boralessa and Mohamed Adamaly were appointed as Independent Non-Executive Directors. The new appointees bring experience in finance, sustainability, governance and law.

The ASPI fell 1.5% (253 pts) to 16,818 as the bear run continued, with turnover of Rs. 3.3 billion and foreign net inflows of Rs. 77.7m. Key negative contributors included Commercial Bank, John Keells, Ceylon Tobacco and NDB, while the banking sector led turnover and lost 1.43%.

Colombo market turned more bearish as the ASPI fell 1.22% (S&P SL20 down 1.11%) on turnover of Rs. 3.9bn, with HAYL, CTHR, SAMP, DFCC and HNB exerting selling pressure; JKH, L B Finance and CTC also recorded price declines.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.48% to 16,818.21 amid geopolitical uncertainty over possible US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict; the S&P SL20 was down 1.48% to 5,019.15. Turnover dropped to 3.3 million rupees, with declines in LOLC, John Keells, Ceylon Tobacco, NDB and Commercial Bank.

ASPI fell 0.4% and the S&P SL20 fell 0.7% as Colombo stocks extended losses amid heightened Israel‑Iran tensions. Turnover was Rs.3.15bn; top negative contributors included HNB, COMB, LOLC, HAYL and CTC, while CDB, Hemas, LVL Energy Fund and Lanka IOC saw notable buying/turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI fell 66.89 points (0.38%) to 17,360.19 on Monday, with the S&P SL20 down 36.38 points (0.70%) to 5,155.48 and turnover at Rs.3.15 billion; major losers included Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Hayleys and Ceylon Tobacco Company.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.38% (66.89 pts) to 17,360.19 amid continued Israel-Iran conflict, with S&P SL20 down 0.59% as turnover and volumes slipped and HNB, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Hayleys and Ceylon Tobacco were among the top decliners.

Aitken Spence PLC's subsidiary Western Power incinerated about 3.1 million illicit cigarettes (4,450 kg) at its Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy plant, generating over 1,500 kWh supplied to the national grid. Ceylon Tobacco Company valued the consignment at over LKR 470 million and collaborated with Sri Lanka Customs.

Colombo market sustained an all-time high as the ASPI closed at 17,500.24, up 105.79 points (+0.61%) with turnover Rs.2.85bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.19.3m. Banking-led activity and retail buying drove gains, with Hayleys Fabric, Ceylinco, Ceylon Cold Stores, HNB and Ceylon Tobacco among top drivers.

ASPI crossed the 17,500 mark for the first time, closing at 17,500.24 after a 105.79-point (0.61%) gain; S&P SL20 rose to 5,208.95 and turnover was Rs. 2.85bn, led by Hayleys, Ceylinco Holdings, Ceylon Cold Stores, Hatton National Bank and Ceylon Tobacco.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.61% to 17,500.24 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.64% to 5,208.95, led by gains in Hayleys, Ceylinco Holdings, Ceylon Cold Stores, HNB and Ceylon Tobacco amid retail buying and lower interest rates.

ASPI rose 138 points (0.8%) to 17,353 as the CSE extended its rally on turnover of Rs.7.37bn, led by heavy trading in CDB and CFIN; notable price gains were seen in CDB, CFIN, CTC, HHL, CIC and SUN, while SPEN topped net foreign buying and PKME topped net foreign selling.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.81% to 17,353.05 on Wednesday. Top contributors included Ceylon Tobacco (+108.50 to 1,488.75), Lion Brewery (+120.25 to 1,420.50), Central Finance (+12.25 to 234.50), Hemas (+1.20 to 29.70) and Cargills (+22.25 to 569.75).

Colombo Stock Exchange hit a record as the ASPI closed at 17,353.05 (+138.66 pts, 0.81%) on June 4, 2025. The S&P SL20 rose to 5,159.66 (+0.55%) with turnover Rs.7.37bn, led by gains in CTC, CFIN, HHL, LION and CARG.

Dividend · Rs 32.00 · XD May 23, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 32/share; XD 2025-05-23; record 2025-05-25; payable 2025-06-12; FY 2025

Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC.N0000) held its Pinnacle Awards on 5 April 2025 at Hilton Colombo to recognise top performers in its Commercial Function; Hashan Wijesekara was named Trade Marketing Executive of the Year 2024.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher in a shortened session, with the ASPI up 45 points to 15,962 (S&P SL20 +0.22%). Turnover was about Rs.1.48–1.5 billion and foreign investors net sold Rs.177.3 million; key contributors included MELS, WIND, SPEN, SAMP and heavy turnover in CTC, BIL and KOTA.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI rose 56 points (0.35%) to 15,867 on turnover of Rs.2 billion with foreign net inflows of Rs.25.5m. Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Materials led turnover and gains while banking showed subdued sentiment.

Ceylon Tobacco Company said smuggled cigarettes rose to about 1.1 billion sticks in 2024 while legal cigarette sales fell to 1.94 billion sticks (20% of a 9.7 billion-stick smoked-tobacco market), reducing CTC volumes and government tax revenue. CTC attributed the shift to widening price gaps after tax hikes and weaker purchasing power, and noted beedi consumption has expanded.

Colombo market slipped for a third day as the ASPI closed at 15,544 (down ~12 points) while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05%; turnover was Rs.1.09bn, 57% below the monthly average. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover, banking sentiment stayed weak; JKH, SUN, CCS rose while CFIN, DFCC and MELS lagged.

Colombo market reopened after Avurudu with the ASPI up 99.68 pts (0.64%) to 15,626 and the S&P SL20 up 29.95 pts, on low turnover of Rs.792.8m; foreigners were net sellers of Rs.50.1m. Top contributors and turnover drivers included CFIN, NDB, CCS, COCR, CTC and HNB.

Dividend · Rs 17.24 · XD May 28, 2025

Final dividend of LKR 17.24/share; XD 2025-05-28; record 2025-05-28; payable 2025-06-17; FY 2024

Colombo market reverted to YTD positive as the ASPI rose 73 points (0.46%) to 16,007, leaving YTD up 0.39%, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs. 282m. Top movers included HAYL and CTC; turnover was Rs. 2.3bn led by Capital Goods and Food, Beverage & Tobacco sectors.

Sri Lanka stocks rose as the ASPI closed up 0.46% (73.06 pts) at 16,007.44 with turnover Rs 2.29bn; top contributors were Hayleys (+3.0%), Ceylon Tobacco (+1.7%), Royal Ceramics (+2.6%), Chevron Lubricants (+2.9%) and Dialog Axiata (+2.1%). Most active by volume were John Keells, Browns Investments and Access Engineering.

ASPI fell 67 points (0.4%) on low turnover of Rs.1.65bn; HNB was the largest negative contributor after its ex-dividend date, while SAMP, RICH, HAYL, HHL and SUN were top positive contributors and banks led turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.42% to 15,814.82 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.53% to 4,734.72; turnover was 1.6 billion with net foreign outflows of 48 million. Top laggards included Hatton National Bank, Melstacorp, Bukit Darah, Dialog Axiata and Ceylon Tobacco.

ASPI fell 43 pts (0.27%) to 16,123 as turnover dropped to Rs.2.36bn. CTC, MELS, CCS and BIL were notable negatives while HAYL, SEYB, HHL and CARS led gains; John Keells dominated turnover and its share rose 10c.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.27% to 16,123.10 as turnover slowed to Rs 2.3 billion. Top decliners included Ceylon Tobacco (down 5.9%), Ceylon Cold Stores (down 2.9%), Melstacorp, HNB and Browns Investments, while John Keells, Browns, Jetwing Symphony and Marawila Resorts were among the most active by volume.

Colombo market opened March down with ASPI -1.9% and S&P SL20 -2.1%, turnover Rs.1.5bn; profit-taking in banks (led by HNB, COMB, NDB) drove the fall while CTC, SPEN and AHUN were among top positive contributors; foreigners net sold Rs.127.4m.

ASPI rose 48 points (0.3%) to 16,479 on low turnover of Rs. 1.7 billion, led by gains in the banking sector. HNB, Commercial Bank and Sampath were top positive contributors (with CTC and LLUB also supportive) while CFIN, JKH and DFCC exerted downward pressure; banks accounted for 45% of turnover.