News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI up 0.98% (147.79 pts) to 15,168 and S&P SL20 up 0.82% to 4,535 on turnover of 5.4 billion rupees. Top contributors included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings and Sampath Bank, with a net foreign outflow of 94 million rupees.

Talawakelle Tea Estates' Great Western Estate fetched a record Rs. 2,900/kg for Dust1 at the 23 December 2024 sale, bought by M/s Heritage Teas Ltd. The estate is managed by Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC, a subsidiary of Hayleys PLC.

Hayleys Electronics (part of Hayleys PLC) hosted a partner forum in Kandy with over 40 local businesses and Huawei to showcase Huawei FusionSolar PV and ESS, Solax inverters and JA Solar panels. The event aims to drive adoption of advanced solar and energy storage solutions in Sri Lanka.

Hayleys PLC won the Gold for Overall Excellence in Corporate Reporting at CA Sri Lanka’s TAGS Awards 2024; Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC took Silver and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC featured among top winners. Multiple shortlisted firms (e.g., DIMO, COMB, LFIN, SFIN, CCS, HAYC, SLTL, LGL, FCT) received sector awards.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher — ASPI +0.11% at 14,516.46 and S&P SL20 +0.80% at 4,384.75, with turnover of 6.35 billion. Top contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, NDB, Cargills and Lanka IOC; net foreign inflow was Rs 336 million and there was notable activity in banking, consumer and hotel stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 2.08% to 14,500 and S&P SL20 rose 2.48% to 4,349 on Dec 16, 2024, with turnover of 8.2 billion. Top turnover generators included Ceylinco, John Keells, Sampath, HNB and Pan Asia; banking stocks rose after the ISB announcement and net foreign inflow was Rs 100 million.

Hayleys PLC won the Cyril Gardiner Memorial Trophy for Overall Excellence in Corporate Reporting at the TAGS Awards 2024 for the third consecutive year. The Group won 20 awards (13 Gold), with sector wins for Alumex, Haycarb, Horana Plantations, Kelani Valley Plantations and Singer Finance.

Dr. T. Senthilverl sold his 6% stake in Alumex PLC for Rs. 408 million. Buyers included Rayynor Silva, Aravinda de Silva and Ajith Devasurendra; Senthilverl also increased stakes in Agarapatana (over 10%) and Kotagala (5%) and exited a 10% stake in Asia Asset Finance.

Hayleys Fentons Limited was the only Sri Lankan company ranked among the top three in the Infrastructure & Construction sector at the SAFA Best Presented Annual Report Awards 2023, winning a Bronze award.

Executives from John Keells (JKL), Commercial Bank (COMB), Hayleys (HAYL), DIMO (DIMO), Horana Plantations (HOPL) and Printcare (CARE) were honoured as 'Top10 Champions of Diversity 2024' at a Women in Management Global and IFC event on 9 December 2024.

Hayleys Energynet (a subsidiary of Hayleys Fentons) entered an exclusive strategic partnership with Hengyang Ritar Power to supply advanced energy storage systems to Sri Lanka, expanding Energynet's portfolio to include lithium batteries and inverters.

Hayleys Fentons (Hayleys PLC) signed an MoU with StarCharge to roll out Sri Lanka’s first nationwide EV charging network, offering ultra-fast chargers that can charge up to 80% in 15 minutes. The initiative will be delivered via Hayleys Solar and aims to expand EV charging infrastructure and after-sales service island-wide.

Haycarb PLC said its Philippine unit received BOI approval to build an activated carbon plant in Cagayan de Oro, with Phase I investment of about USD 8 million due for completion by June 2026. The group plans further expansions over the next 5–6 years to boost international presence.

Hayleys Fentons (Hayleys PLC) has partnered with StarCharge to build Sri Lanka's first nationwide EV charging network, deploying ultra-fast chargers able to charge up to 80% in 15 minutes. The initiative expands Hayleys Solar's renewable energy portfolio into EV charging to support wider EV adoption.

SLINTEC commercialised a record eight patents/innovations in 2024 and reported record-high revenue while moving to financial self-sufficiency; its private shareholders include MAS, LOLC and Hayleys. Two commercialised patents involve natural dyes aimed at boosting apparel exports.

Alumex PLC launched its 'Elevate' ESG roadmap on 3 Dec 2024, targeting a 25% reduction in GHG intensity, 30% reduction in water consumption intensity, 50% supplier social/environmental screening and an 85% customer satisfaction goal.

SLINTEC commercialised four patents in 2024 and has four more innovations in advanced commercialisation (an annual total of 8), recording its highest-ever revenue. Two commercialised patents target natural dyes and agri-waste packaging to support apparel exporters; private shareholders include MAS, LOLC and Hayleys.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended gains for a 10th day, led by heavy turnover and price rises in Asia Asset Finance (up Rs.4 to Rs.21), Hayleys (up Rs.6.25 to Rs.115.25) and Ambeon Capital (up Rs.3.40 to Rs.22.90).

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.77% (105.38 pts) to 13,718 as turnover reached Rs4.4bn. Major contributors were diversified financials, capital goods and food/beverage/tobacco, with heavy volumes and gains in Asia Asset Finance, Ambeon Capital, Hayleys, Central Finance, Lanka IOC and others; Sampath Bank fell and net foreign inflow was Rs47mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.40% to 13,613 and S&P SL20 gained 0.41% to 4,069 on Friday, with turnover Rs4.9bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs429m. Major contributors included Hayleys, Sunshine Holdings, LOLC, Access Engineering and Royal Ceramics; heavy volumes in HNB Finance and plantation stocks.

Hayleys Fentons (part of Hayleys PLC) opened its inaugural Experience Centre at 223B Nawala Road, Nugegoda showcasing interactive solutions across 12 sectors and featuring a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing system by Hayleys Solar.

Aitken Spence won the Ceylon Chamber Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2024. Shortlist firms recognised included Talawakelle Tea Estates (Category B winner), Sampath Bank (runner-up and finance sector champion) and other shortlist companies such as Dilmah, Haycarb, Kelani Valley, Elpitiya, Jetwing Symphony, Hemas, Singer and Ceylon Tobacco.

Hayleys Fentons opened its first Experience Centre at 223B Nawala Road, Nugegoda to showcase solutions across 12 sectors, highlighting a BIPV solar roofing system and interactive ICT demonstrations. The centre includes product demos, training and collaboration spaces to promote the company's integrated services.

Aitken Spence won the Grand Slam Award at the 21st Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2024. Shortlisted companies receiving awards included Sampath Bank, Talawakelle Tea Estates, Kelani Valley and Elpitiya Plantations, Jetwing Symphony, Haycarb, Dilmah, Hemas, Singer and Ceylon Tobacco.

Aitken Spence PLC won the Grand Slam Award at the 21st Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2024 after claiming the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2024. Multiple other listed firms (including Sampath Bank, Talawakelle, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Haycarb and others) were also recognised across categories.

Colombo market opened higher as the ASPI rose 0.30% to 13,229 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.12% on turnover of Rs. 2.3bn; top contributors included HAYL, SPEN, AEL, JKH and CFIN, with Lion Brewery closing up at Rs. 1,114.75.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.30% to 13,228 on turnover of Rs2.3bn, led by retail buying in food, beverage & tobacco and renewed interest in construction. Notable movers included gains in Lion Brewery, Ceylon Cold Stores, Distilleries, Access Engineering and Central Finance, while Sierra Cables fell; net foreign outflow was Rs379mn.

Hayleys PLC's Hayleys Solar launched an online savings calculator under its 'Nayak Nowena Nayak' financing scheme to provide system recommendations, expected generation, total investment, loan instalments and projected monthly savings. The scheme allows customers to choose loan instalments lower than current electricity bills and aims to deliver free electricity for 20 years.

DFCC Bank has partnered with Hayleys Solar to offer DFCC Solar Loans at a fixed 11.50% interest for five years, with loan tenures extendable up to 10 years to finance solar installations. The program aims to improve accessibility for residential and business customers and support renewable energy adoption.