News & market updates

John Keells Holdings inaugurated the $1.2 billion City of Dreams integrated casino resort in Colombo as Sri Lanka pushes casinos to boost tourism; the government also passed gambling regulation and aims to raise arrivals to 3 million and tourism revenues to $5 billion.

Colombo ASPI fell 0.36% to 20,575.59, weighed down by banks with HNB down 6.25 rupees to 397.75. Commercial Bank, John Keells and Hayleys also declined; turnover was 4.4 billion while hotel and construction stocks saw buying amid tourist arrivals topping 1.5 million.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka (part of John Keells Hotels) features a Level 9 wellness centre and gym with certified trainers, cutting-edge equipment, steam rooms and saunas, enhancing the property's luxury guest wellness offering.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams won the “Sustainable Construction – Leisure Sector” award at the CIOB Sri Lanka Sustainability Awards 2025. The award, presented on 16 August 2025 and endorsed by the Ministry of Urban Development with the President as chief guest, highlights Cinnamon Life’s energy-efficient design, water conservation and recycling initiatives.

ASPI rose 143.73 points to 20,714.80 as turnover hit Rs.11.1bn, led by banking stocks and conglomerates with top contributors JKH, HNB, SAMP, BUKI and NDB. Banking accounted for 39% of turnover and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.1.1bn.

The Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council held its 17th AGM and Maldives Business Forum, generating about $60–70m in potential investments including several hotel projects; Aitken Spence and John Keells executives took council leadership roles and Kelani Cables is on the new committee.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, ASPI +0.70% to 20,714.80, driven by sustained investor interest in banks and diversified financials. Top contributors included John Keells, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Bukit Darah, National Development Bank and HNB Finance, with market turnover Rs11.14bn.

The Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council concluded its 17th AGM and led a Maldives Business Forum that secured about $60–70m in potential investments, including three new hotel projects and a 100-room luxury mountain hotel. Sanjeewa Perera was appointed Council President and Aitken Spence’s Suranga Ratnayake was named Senior Vice President.

S&P SL20 crossed 6,000 for the first time, rising 58.46 points (0.97%) to close at 6,055.92; the ASPI also hit a record 20,571.07 (up 100.55 points, 0.49%) with turnover over Rs.10.8 billion.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts (part of the John Keells Hotels/John Keells group) won the "Leadership in Gender Equality" award at the DEI Champions Awards 2025 for its DE&I initiatives, including EmpowHer and the PWD Inclusion Plan.

Colombo bourse rose 252.16 points (1.25%) as ASPI closed at 20,471 with turnover Rs.7.74bn; banking sector led turnover (28%) and top contributors included COMB, CARS, MELS, JKH and DFCC, while some stocks (e.g. PKME) fell.

Colombo ASPI rose 1.25% (252.16 pts) to 20,470.52 on Monday, led by gains in the banking sector. Commercial Bank (+Rs7.75 to Rs189), DFCC Bank (+Rs5.75 to Rs166), Carson Cumberbatch (+Rs105.50 to Rs746), Melstacorp (+Rs5 to Rs165) and John Keells (+Rs0.50 to Rs23.50) were among top risers.

John Keells Holdings (property arm) marked structural completion of Phase 1 at VIMAN Ja-Ela, a six-acre residential development comprising 418 apartments. Phase 1 is slated for completion in 2027 and the project includes rooftop solar and common EV charging facilities.

Colombo market closed marginally higher as ASPI rose 0.01% to 19,976 on turnover of Rs.4.46bn with net foreign inflow of Rs.498.3mn. Transportation led turnover driven by Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (PKME) which rose to Rs.105.75, while AMF, LVEF, HNB, CTC, LLUB and BERU saw notable activity.

Colombo's ASPI closed flat at 19,975.50 while the S&P SL20 dipped 0.19% to 5,815.64. Ceylon Tobacco said June-quarter volumes recovered to 490 million sticks and profits rose 2% to 7.3 billion rupees, while Haycarb's June profit fell 30% to 517 million rupees.

Colombo market closed higher as ASPI rose 0.25% with turnover of Rs. 7.56bn, boosted by a ~7% stake crossing in National Development Bank. Banking drove activity (67% of turnover) while several banks and financials including NDB, Capital Alliance and others led contributions.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.25% (49.77 pts) to 19,972.79, led by banks with NDB up LKR 3.50 on heavy turnover (NDB turnover ~LKR 4.49bn). John Keells was the top negative contributor, trading down LKR 0.40.

ASPI rose 96.45 points (0.49%) to close at 19,923 as the CSE opened with mixed sentiment; foreigners were net sellers with a net outflow of Rs.117.2m. Banking led turnover (25%) while Capital Goods and Diversified Financials together contributed 28% of turnover.

Ceylon Cold Stores (Elephant House) is partnering with Reliance Consumer Products to launch the Campa Beverages range in Sri Lanka, including cola, lemon, orange and energy drinks priced at Rs.100 for 250ml, leveraging John Keells' distribution and scale.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.49% to 19,923.02, led by buying in bank counters—mainly Commercial Bank and HNB—while the S&P SL20 edged down to 5,824.91. Notable movers included C T Holdings, Ceylinco, Carson and Dialog higher, with John Keells and Overseas Realty weaker; turnover fell to Rs 3.1bn.

Ceylon Cold Stores (John Keells group) has partnered with Reliance Consumer Products to launch Campa Beverages in Sri Lanka, introducing cola, lemon, orange and energy SKUs priced at Rs.100 for 250ml. The launch will leverage Ceylon Cold Stores' distribution reach to establish the brand locally.

The Court of Appeal ordered the release of about 1,000 BYD vehicles held by Sri Lanka Customs after a writ by John Keells CG Auto, subject to a bank guarantee. JKCG is the authorised BYD distributor in Sri Lanka.

John Keells CG Auto said Sri Lanka Customs agreed to release about 1,000 detained BYD Atto 3 vehicles subject to a bank guarantee after the firm filed a writ in the Court of Appeal. Customs is expected to carry out tests on the cars and JKCG says manufacturer certificates were provided.

Sri Lanka Customs told the Court of Appeal it is prepared to release 991 detained BYD vehicles held by John Keells CG Auto if the importer posts a bank guarantee of about Rs.3.6 billion, pays any interest, cooperates with the investigation and a technical committee assesses motor capacity.

Colombo stock market closed the week lower: the ASPI fell 0.4% to 19,827 and the S&P SL20 lost 1.2%, with yesterday's turnover at Rs.3.26 billion. Diversified Financials led turnover (23%) driven by Galle Face Capital Partners; John Keells, Hemas, Prime Lands and Lankem were also top contributors.

John Keells Holdings said the US$1.2bn City of Dreams Sri Lanka launch (Aug 2025) positions Sri Lanka as a regional gaming hub and is expected to boost tourism, create thousands of jobs and attract significant FDI, supporting higher hotel demand.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.44% (86.80 pts) to 19,804.80 as buying returned after a two-day slide. Buying interest supported John Keells (flat), CIC (up to 142.50), Singer (up to 67.90) and gains in Melstacorp, Carson Cumberbatch, Co-operative Insurance and PGP Glass; turnover rose to 4.4 billion rupees.

Akash Rajapaksha of Cinnamon Lakeside was crowned winner of Bar Champs 2025 at The Hotel Show Colombo. The island-wide bartending competition, powered by Rockland Distilleries, featured six finalists and showcased hospitality talent across Sri Lanka.

ASPI fell 0.34% to 19,718 as profit-taking and net foreign outflows of Rs.145.4m weighed on the Colombo bourse; turnover was Rs.3.3bn, led by capital goods and banking stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 0.34% (68.23 pts) as selling pressure on John Keells Holdings and profit taking in diversified financials weighed on the market; JKH, Melstacorp, DFCC, Vallibel One and Commercial Bank were top negatives while Hatton National Bank gained.