News & market updates

ASPI fell 0.23% (41 points) to 18,000 as profit-taking weighed on the Colombo market, led by declines in HAYL, CTHR, DOCK, GRAN and SAMP. Turnover was Rs.5.6bn with capital goods (notably JKH, AEL) and banking among top contributors; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.48.3m.

Colombo stocks closed marginally down, with the ASPI falling 0.23% to 18,100 and the S&P SL20 down 0.22% to 5,347. Seylan Bank received in-principle CSE approval for a Rs15bn Basel III debenture issue, and Tal Lanka Hotels listed 32,228,524 ordinary voting shares after a private placement.

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ASPI rose 1% (205 pts) to a record 17,740 as turnover hit Rs.6.85bn. Diversified Financials led activity (20% of turnover) with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Capital Goods also active; HNB Finance, Sunshine, Hemas and Dipped Products were among the top gainers.

Colombo market rallied as the ASPI rose 2% (a 344-point gain) to 17,536 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.66%, with turnover near Rs.6 billion. Capital Goods, Banking and Diversified Financials led activity; several listed names including John Keells, HNB Finance and Pan Asia saw strong participation and price gains.

Colombo market rebounded after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, with the ASPI up 2.5% (426 pts) and turnover Rs.5.2bn. Banking stocks and conglomerates led gains, with JKH, COMB, PABC and CFIN among the top contributors.

Asia Frontier Capital has increased its weight on Sri Lanka equities to 14% from about 5% two years ago. The fund cites improving macro fundamentals, political stability and pickup in tourism and corporate earnings, and lists holdings including JKH, Commercial Bank, HNB, Hemas, Sunshine, Dipped Products and Melstacorp.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.90% to 17,657.60, led by John Keells (JKH) and gains in major banks HNB, NDB, DFCC and Sampath, with turnover of LKR5.6bn. Export‑exposed names were mixed — Dipped Products and Haycarb fell while Teejay Lanka and Hayleys Fabric gained.

Colombo market stayed at an all-time high as the ASPI rose 82 points (0.47%) on turnover of Rs.5.6bn, led by heavy activity in John Keells, Hemas, Browns Investments, People’s Leasing and Lanka Milk Foods; foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.41.4mn and capital goods and diversified financials led turnover.

ASPI rose 81.89 points to a record 17,434.94, extending its rally to a 12th straight session led by John Keells, Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, Lion Brewery and Dipped Products. Market turnover was Rs.5.59bn and the S&P SL20 gained 34.13 pts to 5,193.79.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index rose 0.47% to 17,434.94 for a third straight session, led by John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, Lion Brewery and Dipped Products. Market breadth was broadly positive with low interest rates, strong corporate earnings and PMI support; turnover was Rs 5.59bn.

Colombo's All Share Price Index closed up 0.01% at 16,496.24 after a volatile session. Large-cap banking stocks including John Keells, Sampath, HNB and Commercial Bank fell and weighed on the market, while exporters such as Teejay Lanka and Hayleys Fabric rose marginally after a US trade-talks invite.

Central Bank cut rates by 25 basis points, lifting the Colombo Stock Exchange 0.19% as the ASPI closed 31.49 points higher at 16,504.86. Hemas, Co-operative Insurance, Sunshine, C T Holdings, Bukit Darah and Haycarb were among gainers while Teejay Lanka and Dipped Products fell.

Colombo ASPI closed 0.12% higher at 16,355.91 after volatile trading, led in part by Cargills rising to Rs.509.75; S&P SL20 was up 0.11% at 4,816.36. Turnover rose to Rs.2.4bn and banking, construction and consumer-durables shares were active.

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 Stock Exchange rose 0.40% as the US-China tariff truce lifted sentiment; ASPI gained 64.40 points to 16,379.39, led by gains in John Keells, LOLC, Carson Cumberbatch, E B Creasy and Sampath Bank.

ASPI rose 183.55 points (1.14%) to 16,314.79 as CSE turnover hit Rs.4.55 billion with over 180 million shares traded. Lanka Realty led activity (Rs.467m); JKH, LOLC and Commercial Bank saw heavy trading; Melstacorp, Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Aitken Spence helped drive gains while several counters including Dipped Products, Ceylon Grain Elevators, Industrial Asphalts and NDB fell.

Dipped Products PLC unveiled a two-acre EcoPulse Nature Reserve at its Hanwella manufacturing facility as the first phase of its DPL Pulse ESG Roadmap 2030, targeting restoration of ecosystems equivalent to five times the land area DPL occupies.

Sri Lanka stocks closed marginally weaker as the ASPI fell 0.06% to 15,916.17 amid lower turnover and investor caution over IMF talks, US tariff discussions and GSP+ uncertainty. HNB reported March-quarter profit up 48% to LKR 10.6 billion, while several exporters and tourism-linked stocks fell.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.53% (up 84.32 pts to 15,925.92) after the World Bank pledged US$1bn, lifting banking shares including HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank and DFCC. Export-oriented stocks such as Teejay Lanka and Dipped Products fell as turnover dropped to LKR1.6bn.

Sri Lanka stocks fell 0.76% after the NPP failed to secure a majority in local government polls, with the ASPI closing 119.99 points lower at 15,841.60. Blue-chip names and most banks led declines and buying interest was weak in export-oriented stocks.

ASPI rose 0.33% to 15,851.74 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.12% to 4,638.29, with John Keells Holdings the top negative contributor. Banking stocks were mostly negative (HNB, Sampath, Commercial, NDB down; DFCC, NTB up) and exporters showed mixed moves (Teejay, Hayleys Fabric, Dipped Products, Haycarb).

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.31% to 15,818.77 ahead of local elections, led by selling in banking counters such as Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank; export-linked stocks including Hayleys, Teejay Lanka, Haycarb and Dipped Products also slipped.

Dipped Products PLC commissioned a Rs. 1 billion natural rubber glove production plant at Hanwella, increasing Hanwella Rubber Products Ltd.'s capacity by 25% for thick-layered gloves. The facility includes a high-efficiency biomass boiler, cloud-based controls, IE3 motors and a 30% larger ETP, supporting sustainability, exports and over 110 new jobs.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.44% after a staff-level agreement with the IMF that clears the way for about $344m in financing; the ASPI closed 69.43 points higher at 15,811.47 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.45%. Export-oriented shares led gains while selected banking stocks ended weaker.

Dipped Products PLC commissioned a Rs. 1 billion natural rubber glove production plant in Hanwella, boosting HRPL's production capacity by 25% for thick-layered gloves. The facility adds energy-efficient technology (biomass boiler, IE3 motors), a 30% larger ETP and created over 110 direct jobs.

Colombo Bourse closed the week higher, with the ASPI up ~2% and finishing at 15,742 after a 126-point gain on Friday. Market gains were led by LOLC, RCL, NDB, SUN and MELS, with Friday turnover at Rs.2.4bn (Capital Goods, Food & Beverage and Diversified Financials leading) while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.103.6m).

Colombo stocks rose 0.81% as exporters rallied on expectations of a US–Sri Lanka trade deal, with the ASPI closing at 15,742.04 (up 126.41 pts). Key contributors included Teejay Lanka, Hayleys Fabric, Haycarb, Dipped Products, LOLC and Royal Ceramics, while selected banks (Sampath, HNB, Amana) fell.

The ASPI gained 72 points (+0.5%) to 15,616 as the Colombo market bounced back, led by the capital goods sector. Turnover was about Rs.1.5 billion with net foreign inflows of Rs.35.2m; notable movers included Hemas, John Keells, Browns, Alumex and DFCC.

Colombo stocks rallied 0.46% after President Dissanayake said tariff talks with the US were productive, with the ASPI up 71.64 points to 15,615.63. Export-focused names were quieter despite the market uptick.