News & market updates

Colombo bourse fell 1.87% to 21,826.59, wiping Rs.143 billion off market value with turnover of nearly Rs.3.78bn and foreign net selling of Rs.295.5m. Brokers said price losses in counters including Ceylinco, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank drove the slide amid adverse weather forecasts.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 1.87% to 21,826.59 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.75% to 6,030.66. Top decliners included Ceylinco Holdings, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, Senkadagala Finance and Bukit Darah; construction names Access Engineering and Sierra Cables also slid, and Hemas appointed Ajith Fernando as chairman effective Jan 1.

Hemas Holdings said Ajith Fernando will become chairman effective Jan 1 following Husein Esufally's retirement on Dec 31; Murtaza Esufally has been appointed deputy chairman as Anura Ekanayake retires.

Hemas Holdings announced that long-serving Group CEO and Chairman Husein Esufally will retire effective 31 December; Ajith Fernando will become Chairman from 1 January 2026 and Murtaza Esufally will be appointed Deputy Chairman.

Hemas Holdings (HHL.N0000) said Ajith Fernando will become Chairman effective 1 January 2026. Long-serving Chairman Husein Esufally and Deputy Chairman Dr. Anura Ekanayake will retire on 31 December 2025, and Murtaza Esufally is appointed Deputy Chairman effective 1 January 2026.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened December sharply lower as the ASPI fell 3.04% to 22,022.06 following Cyclone Ditwah; the S&P SL20 lost 2.89% and turnover topped Rs.5.2bn with foreign net outflow of ~Rs.106.2mn. Capital Goods and Banking led turnover while Access Engineering rose and several banks and John Keells fell.

Colombo market slid as the ASPI fell 0.80% (182.14 pts) to 22,662.09 and turnover dropped to about Rs.2.34 billion, a near five-month low. Banking counters (SAMP, COMB, HNB) and names including RICH, Hemas, Access Engineering, ACL Cables and Diesel & Motor drove the declines and top turnover.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka held CATALYZE 2025 on 24 November, convening business leaders including John Keells, Aitken Spence, Hemas, Hayleys, DIMO and Kelani Valley Plantations to discuss digital supply chains, gender equality, climate action, water stewardship and other sustainability priorities.

Hemas Holdings PLC was named 2nd Runner-up Overall and placed among the Top Ten Best Corporate Citizens at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce's Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2025, winning the Sector Award (diversified), Best Supplier Relations and a Merit Project Award for species conservation.

Hayleys Lifesciences and Hemas (via Hemas Hospitals) joined a Sri Lankan delegation to MEDICA 2025 in Düsseldorf to seek partnerships, engage on regulatory standards and explore digital health and export opportunities.

ASPI fell 1.47% to 22,644.88, a five-week low, while the S&P SL20 dropped 1.33% to 6,279.71. Declines in banks and blue-chips led losses (notably HNB, RICH, NDB, SAMP and JKH); turnover was Rs.4.95bn with foreigners net buying ~Rs.83.2m and heavy activity in Hemas, DOCK and York.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

APB Sri Lanka held a CPDC program titled 'AI in HR' bringing industry leaders to discuss integrating AI in recruitment, performance management and learning to boost workforce agility across the banking industry.

Colombo market recovered from early losses to finish the week essentially flat, with the ASPI down 0.01% at 23,459.75 and the S&P SL20 down 0.34% at 6,435.93. Market turnover was over Rs. 5.6 billion, foreigners were net sellers (~Rs. 5.9m), and heavy activity was led by banking, capital goods and food sectors.

Colombo market closed lower — ASPI fell 0.84% (198.24 pts) to 23,461.46 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.52% to 6,458.15. Banking dominated turnover (39%) and major laggards included SAMP, HNB, JKH, NDB and BUKI while foreign investors were net sellers of about Rs. 788.7 million.

Myland Developments PLC appointed Savanth Sebastian and Ravi Goonetilleke as Independent Non‑Executive Directors and Dr. Kanchana Narangoda as an Executive Director. The appointees bring experience and links to firms including Ambeon Capital, Colombo City Holdings, Dankotuwa Porcelain, Hemas and Nations Trust Bank.

Hemas Pharmaceuticals (subsidiary of Hemas Holdings, HHL.N0000) launched the Suwajeewa Diabetes Screening and Awareness Programmes, running three free screening events on 23, 28 and 30 Oct 2025 with blood sugar, BP, BMI and eye checks in partnership with Medihelp Hospitals.

Hemas Holdings (HHL.N0000) reported cumulative earnings of Rs. 3.3 billion for the six months to 30 Sep 2025, up 32.5% year-on-year. Growth was driven by revenue increases across divisions, a 78.9% drop in net interest cost, and the group announced a conditional Kenya acquisition plus expansion of Thalawathugoda hospital.

Hemas Holdings reported 1H FY26 earnings of Rs. 3.3 billion, up 32.5%, driven by a strong 2Q where consolidated earnings rose 36.6% to Rs. 2.1 billion. The group announced a conditional acquisition of a Kenyan consumer products company and a Rs.0.25 first interim dividend, subject to regulatory approvals.

Dividend · Rs 0.25 · XD Nov 18, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.25/share; XD 2025-11-18; record 2025-11-18; payable 2025-12-05; FY Year ending 31st March 2026

DarazMall launches an Authenticity Guarantee with three-times cashback and exclusive brand deals ahead of 11.11, offering over 17 million branded items and delivery in as fast as two days.

The Colombo Stock Exchange held the 7th CSE Masterminds Quiz, with Acuity Knowledge Partners (Team 2) winning the grand cash prize of Rs. 1,000,000. Sector winners included Dialog Finance (Leasing & Finance), John Keells Stock Brokers (Stock Brokering) and NDB Wealth Management, and many listed firms participated as sponsors.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.56% (123.87 pts) to 22,416.15 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.45% on turnover of around Rs. 8.9bn, with foreigners net selling Rs. 1.4bn. Hemas, Sampath, Vidullanka, Richard Pieris and DIMO were key positive contributors while banking stocks led turnover.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.56% to 22,416.15 on Thursday, led by gains in Hemas Holdings, Sampath Bank, Vidullanka and Diesel & Motor Engineering, with market turnover of 8.8 billion rupees.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka concluded its 46th National Conference on 10 October 2025 after three days and over 2,600 delegates, focusing on taking local brands to global markets and Sri Lanka's strategic international role. Hemas Holdings' Group CFO Moiz Rehmanjee moderated a panel session.

Hemas Holdings (HHL.N0000) launched a state-of-the-art tertiary hospital in Thalawathugoda with a LKR 10 billion investment, doubling capacity to 150 beds and employing about 900 staff. The facility adds advanced cardiac, robotic and specialist services and will host a robotic surgery training centre.

Hemas Holdings' pharmaceutical arm launched 'Hair Buddy', its first direct-to-consumer, digital-first hair care brand developed with Oproma Cosmetics. The NMRA-approved, dermatologically tested product will be sold via a dedicated e-commerce platform with Chandrasiri & Sons as exclusive distributor.

Colombo bourse extended its rally for a 12th session as the ASPI rose 0.33% to 21,851.30, led by banking-stock buying and positive contributions from MELS, HHL, DIMO and RIL. Turnover was Rs. 6.46bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 90.7m.