News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 1.35% to 20,360.27 and the S&P SL20 slid 1.06% to 5,691.97. WindForce rose after winning a 10 MW/40 MWh BESS contract worth Rs1.73bn and was the top positive contributor, while Colombo Dockyard and John Keells were top negatives; turnover was Rs2.37bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange slid midday as the ASPI fell 1.53% to 20,323.75 amid US-Iran tensions; top negative contributors were John Keells (-1.64% to Rs.18.00), Sampath Bank (-1.49% to Rs.149.25), Hayleys (-1.20% to Rs.205.00) and Central Finance (-1.84% to Rs.213.00).

Gulf escalation and shipping disruptions have hit Sri Lanka's tourism, tea and apparel sectors, pulling the bourse down 12.7% through March 20; plantation and apparel stocks plunged (Namunukula -30.6%, Agalawatte -22%, Teejay Lanka -20.6%) while Sunshine benefits from higher palm oil prices.

Hayleys PLC's listed unsecured senior redeemable debenture issue was oversubscribed, receiving applications for 58,238,200 debentures worth Rs.5,823,820,000 versus the 50,000,000 on offer. The company had offered 50 million debentures at Rs.100 par with an option to issue up to 20 million more on oversubscription.

The ASPI fell 1.82% to 20,264.01, a seven-month low, as Middle East tensions and oil above $118 pushed markets down with margin calls and net foreign selling; JKH, AEL, COMB, MELS and HAYL were top negative contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up Friday with the ASPI +1.85% at 20,639.73, though the market is down 4.85% from last Friday. Turnover was Rs.4.39bn led by capital goods; top contributors included Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp and John Keells, and Lanka Realty Investments said it will sell 57,204,262 shares to subsidiary Lee Hedges.

Hayleys PLC's listed unsecured senior redeemable debenture issue was oversubscribed with applications exceeding Rs. 5 billion; the company may issue up to an additional 20 million debentures, taking the total potential issue size to Rs. 7 billion.

All companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange Main Board must adopt sustainability reporting under SLFRS S1 and S2 effective 1 January 2026. A seminar on ‘Sustainability Reporting for Corporates’ will be held 26 March 2026 at The Kingsbury to brief directors and senior executives.

Colombo stocks opened lower as oil topped $112/bbl, with the ASPI down 0.90% at 20,455.02 and turnover of Rs.591 million. John Keells Holdings and Hayleys were among the top negative contributors, down 2.14% and 2.34% respectively.

Cabinet approved a Rs. 2,269.18 million contract to the JSL & Fentons JV (Jyoti Structure Ltd and Hayleys Fentons) to construct a 28 km 220kV double-circuit transmission line for the Mullikulam Wind Power Transmission Project, strengthening grid connectivity and renewable integration.

Colombo Stock Exchange has lost over Rs. 1.1 trillion in value since the Middle East war began, with the ASPI down 2.49% (521.17 pts) to 20,418.09 yesterday. Panic selling hit retail investors, with COMB, HAYL, DOCK, NDB and AEL among 227 decliners and net foreign selling of Rs.104.7m.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down 2.41% as investors feared a fuel shortage, with the ASPI down 505.48 points to 20,433.78 and the S&P SL20 down 1.94% to 5,770.59. Top negative contributors were Commercial Bank (193, down 5.50), Hayleys (205, down 8.50) and Colombo Dockyard (108.75, down 10.75).

Hayleys Fibre PLC appointed Ruwan Rajapakse as Managing Director effective 1 April 2026, succeeding Rajeeve Goonetilleke who retires on 31 March 2026. Rajapakse has over 30 years' experience, most recently as Global Chief Production Officer at the Jiffy Group and previously held senior roles within the Hayleys Group.

CFA Society Sri Lanka will host Career Fest 2026 on 27 March 2026 in Colombo to connect students and early-career finance professionals with employers and sponsors including John Keells, Commercial Bank, HNB, Hayleys, DFCC and Capital Alliance. The event features sessions on the CFA Program, AI in finance and networking opportunities.

Hayleys Mobility (Hayleys PLC) has launched the OMODA C9 PHEV in Sri Lanka at Rs. 29.9 million, offering a combined driving range of 1,100 km and a pure electric range up to 169 km. The tri-motor AWD system delivers 395 kW and 650 Nm with 0–100 km/h in 4.9s.

The CSE fell as the ASPI dropped 4.45% (1,009.36 pts), wiping Rs. 348.6 billion amid Middle East tensions and oil topping $100/bbl. Banking shares including COMB, HNB, HAYL and NTB were leading negatives while capital goods and crossings by MELS, ACL and AEL drove turnover.

Profood Propack & Agbiz Knowledge Hub 2026 will be held 21–23 Aug 2026 at BMICH, Colombo, with SLFPA and LECS planning an expanded exhibition focused on food processing, packaging, agriculture and SME support; Cargills Ceylon PLC is listed as a platinum sponsor and Hayleys’ agri unit featured among awardees.

The Colombo All Share Price Index fell 1.44% to 21,672.42 as Brent crude topped $100/bbl. Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Hatton National Bank were top negative contributors, and John Keells Holdings said its unit is selling a 98.39% stake in Kandy Walk Inn (Cinnamon Citadel).

ASPI fell 1.63% to 21,998.12 as Middle East tensions and higher oil prices weighed on the Colombo market. S&P SL20 dropped 1.71% to 6,172.28 with broad declines led by JKH, HNB, MELS, HAYL and SAMP; turnover topped Rs.4.1bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.32.2m.

Hayleys PLC received CSE in-principle approval to list debentures to raise up to Rs. 7 billion (initial 50 million debentures to raise Rs. 5 billion, with an option for 20 million more). The issue has three tranches: 5-year fixed at 10.6% (10.88% eff), 5-year floating at 1Y T-bill+2% (9.5% floor/11.5% cap) and 7-year fixed at 11.15% (11.46% eff); subscription opens 17 March.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down 1.34% on Friday, with the ASPI at 21,692.55. Melstacorp said parent Milford Exports bought 1,000,000 shares raising its stake to 42.97%; Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Hatton National Bank were top negative contributors and Brent crude neared $100/bbl.

Dipped Products PLC (DIPD.N0000) rang the Colombo Stock Exchange opening bell to mark its 50th anniversary. The manufacturer of protective handwear and plantation services, a member of Hayleys PLC (HAYL.N0000), serves customers in over 70 countries.

Dipped Products PLC (DIPD.N0000) rang the Colombo Stock Exchange opening bell to mark its 50th anniversary. DPL, a Hayleys PLC group company, is a leading protective handwear manufacturer and plantation manager exporting to over 70 countries.

Hayleys Mobility (Hayleys group) has partnered with Kaiyi Auto to launch the fully electric Kaiyi eVibe in Sri Lanka at an introductory price of Rs. 7.9 million. The sub-compact EV offers a 300 km CLTC range and the first 100 buyers receive a complimentary 3kW solar system.

The ASPI plunged 3.51% to 21,904.14 as panic selling and a >25% surge in crude to about $115/bbl on Middle East conflict hit the CSE; banking and blue-chip stocks (Commercial Bank, HNB, JKH, Sampath, C T Holdings) led declines while Lanka IOC rose.

Colombo Stock Exchange, IFC and global partners rang the opening bell to advance women’s economic empowerment; women’s representation on CSE-listed boards rose to 13.7% from 13.4% year-on-year. The initiative highlights ongoing efforts to increase female leadership across Sri Lankan businesses.

The CSE fell, with the ASPI down 4.34% (1,032.15 points) for the week as index-heavy banking and diversified holdings stocks dragged the market. Foreign investors were net sellers (week net outflow Rs.791.2m); large declines came from JKH, HNB and SAMP while ACL, CINS and RAL saw heavy off‑board turnover.

ASPI plunged 1,290.68 points (-5.4%) to 22,443.38 on Feb 3 after Middle East tensions triggered panic selling and a 30-minute circuit breaker; the S&P SL20 fell 322.32 pts (-4.9%). Turnover was Rs.9.6bn (up 62.9%); foreign investors net sold Rs.59.6m; decliners included COMB, SAMP, HNB, JKH and HAYL, while LIOC, CFLB, BOPL, MRH and MADU were among gainers.

Fitch assigned a National Long-Term Rating of 'AAA(lka)' to Hayleys PLC’s proposed unsecured senior redeemable debentures of up to Rs. 7 billion. Fitch said the rating is in line with Hayleys’ national rating but noted subsidiary debt/EBITDA rose to 2.9x in 3QFY26 (vs a 2.5x threshold) and is expected to moderate.

Colombo Stock Exchange midday: ASPI rose 1.41% (317.14 pts) to 22,760.52 and S&P SL20 gained 1.29% to 6,394.97. Top contributors were Commercial Bank (+2.74% at Rs215.75), Sampath Bank (+2.60% at Rs158.00) and Hayleys (+2.82% at Rs236.75); Colombo Dockyard reported a Rs1.93bn loss for the Dec-2025 quarter (stock at Rs142.00).