News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower, with the ASPI down 0.38% to 21,148.71 and market turnover of Rs.1.094 billion; capital goods led turnover at Rs.389 million. Bogala Graphite reported an indirect change of control (shares down 2.01%) and Lankem Ceylon disclosed a Rs.500m corporate guarantee for its subsidiary (shares up 5.23%).

HNB General Insurance appointed Lakshman Silva as Non-Executive/Nominee Director and Sandra De Zoysa as Independent/Non-Executive Director to its board. The appointments are intended to strengthen governance and drive digital/CX transformation as the insurer scales its platforms and customer service architecture.

Colombo market opened down 0.65% as the ASPI fell 146.53 points to 22,263.28 with turnover over Rs.1.7bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.466.1m; Windforce, CIC and Hayleys were main negative contributors while Windforce, Colombo Dockyard and Sathosa Motors led turnover.

Dividend · Rs 1.00 · XD Jul 8, 2026

Third Interim dividend of LKR 1/share; XD 2026-07-08; record 2026-07-08; payable 2026-07-24; FY 2025-2026

Dialog Axiata (DIAL.N0000) became the Colombo Stock Exchange's largest listed company with a market cap of Rs. 367.09 billion after its share price rose 7% to Rs. 39.90 on May 25. John Keells stood at Rs. 359.36bn and Ceylon Tobacco at Rs. 341.91bn; Commercial Bank was the largest bank at Rs. 320.88bn.

Dialog Axiata regained the top spot on the Colombo Stock Exchange with a market cap of Rs. 367.1 billion (4.51% of total market cap), overtaking John Keells Holdings at Rs. 359.4 billion.

Colombo bourse slipped below 23,000 as the ASPI fell 0.41% to 22,920.32 with turnover over Rs.2.8bn and net foreign outflows of Rs.29.5m. Market weakness was blamed on Middle East tensions and weaker Q1 banking earnings; CINS, MELS, BUKI, NDB and DFCC were key negative contributors.

Melstacorp sold 2 million shares of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka on 11 March at Rs.59 each (≈Rs.118m), trimming its holding from 92.40% to 92.35% while retaining control.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.63% to 21,988.12 as global uncertainty and Brent crude near $101.6 weighed on markets; John Keells Holdings, Hatton National Bank and Melstacorp were top negative contributors. Melstacorp said it sold 2,000,000 Distillery Company shares at Rs.59, trimming its stake to 92.35%.

Aitken Spence PLC has appointed Executive Chairperson Stasshani Jayawardena as interim Managing Director effective 1 April 2026. Jayawardena also chairs Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings and holds board roles at Lanka Milk Foods, Melstacorp and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka.

Melstacorp PLC sold 2 million shares (0.04% stake) of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC on 19 Feb at Rs.59.50/share, raising Rs.119 million and reducing its holding to 92.40%. Distilleries closed at Rs.59 (-0.30) and Melstacorp at Rs.181.25 (-1.75); Melstacorp assets/share Rs.131.99 and DCSL net assets Rs.4.14 (end-Dec 2025).

Dividend · Rs 1.00 · XD Mar 4, 2026

Second Interim dividend of LKR 1/share; XD 2026-03-04; record 2026-03-04; payable 2026-03-20; FY 2025/2026

Colombo market ended flat as the ASPI fell 0.02% to 23,623.74 with turnover near Rs.5.17 billion and foreign investors net sold about Rs.91 million. Top negative contributors were SFCL, JKH, BUKI, CTHR and DFCC, while DOCK, ACL and RHL led turnover and HAYL and DOCK supported index performance.

IMF and officials say Cyclone Ditwah will likely cause a temporary GDP hit in 2026, probably concentrated in one quarter, with reconstruction expected to partly offset the output loss but push short-term inflation and widen the current account. Some distilleries were reported flooded, hurting production and revenues.

Government's Excise Notification No.03/2025 raises one‑time Industry Entry Fees up to Rs.25m for distilleries (Rs.5m for palmrah arrack), Rs.5m for bottling plus higher annual fees and security deposits, and Rs.10–15m for certain retail licences; existing licensees must top up deposits within 30 days.

Dividend · Rs 1.00 · XD Dec 3, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 1/share; XD 2025-12-03; record 2025-12-04; payable 2025-12-22; FY 2025-26

Rockland Distilleries' Colombo No7 Ration Navy Dry gin was named the world's best gin for 2025 at a European spirits competition. The Navy-strength (57% ABV) gin highlights Sri Lankan botanicals such as cinnamon and curry leaves.

Colombo bourse rose as the ASPI gained 0.86% (closing at 21,521) with turnover of Rs. 9.29 billion, led by banking-sector activity and top contributors SAMP, CTC, CFIN, SFCL and DIST. Nations Trust Bank fell, while Jetwing Symphony, Ceylon Hotels and Hemas recorded gains.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.86% to 21,521.06 on Thursday, driven by continued interest in banks and financials. Top contributors included Sampath Bank, Ceylon Tobacco, Central Finance, Senkadagala Finance and Distilleries Company; turnover was 9.3 billion rupees.

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC (DIST.N0000) said its board approved a Rs. 4.6 billion third interim dividend of Rs. 1 per share, ex-dividend 2 Sept and payable 19 Sept. The CSE briefly halted trading after the announcement; shares closed at Rs. 46.

Dividend · Rs 1.00 · XD Sep 2, 2025

Third Interim dividend of LKR 1/share; XD 2025-09-02; record 2025-09-02; payable 2025-09-19; FY 2024/2025

Brand Finance published Sri Lanka's 100 Most Valuable Brands for 2025, ranking Bank of Ceylon top with a brand value of Rs.57,411m; Commercial Bank, Dialog and People’s Bank follow the top positions. The list covers firms across banking, telecoms, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality and other sectors.

Continental Insurance Lanka appointed Dr. Naomal Balasuriya and Dr. K. Thiyagarajah Iraivan to its Board; both bring extensive healthcare, management and governance experience and have prior links to Melstacorp and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka.

CSE S&P Sri Lanka 20 mid-year rebalance excludes Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC and includes Central Finance Company PLC, effective 23 June 2025.