News & market updates

Dividend · Rs 0.70 · XD May 26, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.7/share; XD 2026-05-26; record 2026-05-26; payable 2026-06-15; FY 2026

Branding in Sri Lanka is shifting toward people-centered co-creation supported by AI—with nearly 90% of digital content ignored—offering opportunities for firms (e.g., Dialog Axiata) and hotel, tea and consumer brands to use community-driven storytelling and creator networks.

Dialog Axiata reported a net profit of Rs.9.19 billion for the quarter ended Mar 31, 2026 (up 122.3% y/y) and announced an interim cash dividend of 70 cents per share. The Colombo bourse was up (ASPI +0.28%) midday with Rs.1.81bn turnover, led by capital goods (Rs.870.3m).

Colombo stock market edged down 0.09% to close at 22,899.53 (ASPI down 20.79 pts). Turnover was Rs.2.62bn with foreign investors net selling Rs.116m; top negative contributors included Dialog, Hemas, HNB, LOLC and Colombo Dockyard.

Dialog Axiata's subsidiary Digital Health (Doc990) has deployed a digital queue management system for pharmacy counters at Galle National Hospital, enabling patients to take and track queue numbers via screens to reduce congestion and support staff with real-time backend coordination.

Dialog Axiata's Dialog Enterprise has partnered with Seceon Inc to deploy Seceon's aiSIEM platform and offer AI-driven Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services in Sri Lanka. The collaboration enables a multi-tenant SOC delivering unified SIEM, UEBA, SOAR and automated incident response across networks, endpoints, cloud and applications.

Seylan Bank co‑sponsored the Colombagama Awurudu 2026 event at Viharamahadevi Children’s Park, presenting branded gifts to winners; Dialog Axiata’s Dialog A Plus Kids Channel and Channel One organized interactive Awurudu-themed games for children.

Colombo market rose 2.28% for the week as the ASPI crossed 23,000, closing at 23,063.98. Top positive contributors were CINS, HAYL, DOCK, DIAL and HNB; turnover was ~Rs.4.1bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.26.2m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 0.29% (66.12 points) at 23,063 after a volatile session that briefly breached 23,000. Hayleys and Dialog were top positive contributors, and Hatton Plantations said Durga Infra bought 10,245,384 shares and now holds 12.5%.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 101.59 points (0.45%) to 22,593 as the Colombo Stock Exchange trended down. Melstacorp, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Dialog Axiata were top positive contributors while Hayleys and Sampath Bank were among the top negatives; market turnover was Rs.1.5bn and a merchant bank announced a Rs.999.12mn rights issue.

Dialog Enterprise (Dialog Axiata PLC) has partnered with Seceon Inc to deploy the aiSIEM AI-driven platform, expanding its managed detection and response services for real-time threat detection across networks, endpoints, cloud and applications. The deal enables a multi-tenant SOC model to offer scalable MSSP services to sectors including banking, finance, telecoms and government.

ASPI rose 0.65% (145.47 pts) to 22,695.00 while the S&P SL20 gained 0.6% to 6,244.64. Market turnover exceeded Rs. 4.8bn with Ceylon Tobacco Company dominating turnover (Rs. 2.4bn) even as foreign investors were net sellers, extending YTD foreign outflows to Rs. 27.6bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher Monday with the ASPI up 0.65% at 22,695.00 and turnover of 4.81 billion rupees, driven by buying in banking counters. Top contributors included NDB, Dialog, Melstacorp and Colombo Dockyard, while Ceylinco Insurance and Windforce were among decliners.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the ASPI up 0.47% and banks leading turnover at Rs.467 million. Nations Trust Bank completed the transfer of HSBC Sri Lanka's retail banking (effective May 1), Beruwala Resorts will close May 1–Aug 30 for refurbishment, and Sampath Bank appointed an independent director.

Dialog Axiata PLC said its 5G network has surpassed 1,000 live sites, meeting the TRCSL 2026 rollout targets ahead of schedule. The company says the expansion extends 5G coverage across all districts and builds on its commercial launch that served over 1.5 million subscribers.

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.

The ASPI rose 0.20% (44.68 pts) to 22,612.31 as foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 242.25m; market turnover was nearly Rs. 3bn on 141m shares. Gains were led by CINS, DIAL, SAMP, CARS and DFCC, with food, beverage & tobacco leading turnover (25%) and capital goods plus real estate adding 25%.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index rose 0.20% to 22,612 as retail-driven activity lifted the market. Listed energy firm WindForce said it entered a loan agreement with IFC to obtain up to $18 million in two phases.

Softlogic Life has partnered with Dialog Axiata's Doc990 to introduce a fully cashless, real-time OPD claims facility for its corporate health and life insurance clients, with eligible users receiving a 35% discount on Doc990 channeling fees. Claims are processed instantly at point of care, removing reimbursement paperwork and upfront payments.

Dialog Axiata PLC appointed Arjuna Herath as Independent Non-Executive Director, effective 1 May 2026. He brings experience in consulting, corporate finance and regulatory governance, including roles at the Board of Investment, the Sri Lanka Data Protection Authority, EY and the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Dialog Axiata's corporate arm Dialog Enterprise has partnered with Star Garments to deploy 5G-powered IIoT and smart factory solutions across the garment maker's operations to improve efficiency, automation and real-time decision-making.

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.

Dialog Axiata PLC has partnered with OREL Corporation to integrate the Dialog Play Smart TV app into OREL smart TVs and roll out co-branded smart home devices starting with smart power strips. The collaboration aims to combine OREL's device manufacturing with Dialog's digital platforms to expand Sri Lanka's smart ecosystem.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down with the ASPI down 0.89% to 22,570.03 and the S&P SL20 down 0.66% to 6,222.79. Asiri Hospital (+12.37%), Melstacorp and Carson Cumberbatch led gains while RIL (-5.92%), C T Holdings and Dialog were top decliners; turnover Rs 4.11bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.47% to 22,588.97, led by gains in Carson Cumberbatch, Hayleys and Dialog Axiata while Asian Hotels & Properties and DFCC Bank were among decliners. Turnover was Rs.4.96bn with capital goods contributing Rs.951m.

Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.33% (73.06 pts) to 21,844.54, with net foreign selling of Rs.221.4m (weekly outflows Rs.1.9bn) amid Middle East tensions; IMF staff-level agreement on EFF reviews helped a partial late-session recovery.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the All Share Index fell 0.33% to 21,844.54. National Development Bank (+3.41%), Nations Trust Bank (+1.65%) and Janashakthi Insurance (+8.74%) led gains, while Dialog Axiata (-2.47%), John Keells (-1.02%) and Melstacorp (-1.14%) were top decliners; Cargills Bank listed 294,200,000 rights shares raising Rs.2,500,700,000.

Colombo market recorded its largest single-day gain as the ASPI rose 4.21% (885.14 pts) to 21,917.60 on Middle East ceasefire optimism; turnover was over Rs.6.6bn and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.612.4m. JKH, COMB, HNB, DIAL and DOCK were top contributors and the banking sector led turnover (24%).