News & market updates

Colombo bourse extended gains as the ASPI closed at 19,092 (up ~47 points) on turnover of Rs.5.9bn; banking led activity (23%) and top contributors included DFCC, NDB, AEL, HNB and ASHO, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.38.2m.

Samsung Sri Lanka launched 'Samsung Exclusive Easy Pay', an installment program with plans from Rs.3,530/month (3–24 months) and no down payment. The program is offered via partners including John Keells Office Automation/John Keells Holdings, Alliance Finance and Cargills (payment points), and covers the full Galaxy range.

Colombo market closed a healthy week: ASPI +2.3%, S&P SL20 +3.1%, average daily turnover Rs.9.88bn and net foreign inflow Rs.373.9m. Key contributors included Central Finance, Hayleys, John Keells, Sampath and Singer; John Keells rose to Rs.25.50 while HNB fell to Rs.358.50 and Seylan (non-voting) rose to Rs.66.30.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.51% to 18,973 after US-Sri Lanka tariff talks were reported to resume, with Central Finance, Hayleys, John Keells and Sampath Bank leading gains. The Finance Ministry said discussions aim to reduce a 30% tariff rate and seek duty-free access for over 800 items to the US.

Browns Investments sold 39.3 million Hatton National Bank non-voting (X) shares for Rs.10.78 bn, pushing Colombo Stock Exchange turnover to about Rs.17 bn. Profit-taking left the ASPI down 61 points at 18,885, with the banking sector accounting for 76% of turnover.

Colombo ASPI fell 0.32% to 18,884 on profit-taking while turnover rose to 17 billion rupees, boosted by a crossing in Hatton National Bank non-voting shares. HNB shares declined (non-voting to 286.50), and John Keells, Hayleys, Central Finance, Melstacorp and Royal Ceramics also traded lower.

ASPI gained about 108 points to 18,946 on Rs. 9.1 billion turnover, led by the Capital Goods sector; John Keells, Commercial Bank, Access Engineering, Hayleys and LOLC were top contributors and banking names including HNB and Sampath also recorded gains.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.57% to a record 18,946, with the S&P SL20 up 1.28% to 5,700.54. Gains were led by diversified, financial and consumer shares amid lower interest-rate expectations and ongoing talks to reduce US tariffs on Sri Lankan exports.

ASPI hit a record closing of 18,838.39, up 297.13 points (1.60%) on turnover of Rs. 9.49 billion. Banking-led activity (31% of turnover) drove the rise, with Sampath, Seylan (non-voting), Pan Asia, John Keells, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank among the top contributors.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose to 18,838, up 1.60% (297.13 pts), led by gains in John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank despite a US 30% tariff announcement. Turnover rose to 9.49 billion rupees and exporters were mixed, with Teejay down and Haycarb higher.

John Keells Holdings’ John Keells Foundation, marking 20 years of its JKELSP, provided 892 scholarships in 20 locations in 2024/25 and has directly benefited over 21,500 students. It also ran career guidance, speech competitions and substance-abuse awareness and trainer programmes for schools in mid-2025.

Colombo market hit a record ASPI of 18,541 (up 380 pts, 2.09%) as turnover reached Rs.10.22bn, led by banking stocks and John Keells. Foreign investors were net sellers (net outflow Rs.1.2bn) and the banking sector accounted for 27% of turnover.

Colombo ASPI rose 2.09% to a record 18,541.26 after US tariffs on Sri Lanka were cut to 30% (down 14%), boosting investor confidence and lifting several banks and exporters; Sampath, HNB, John Keells, Commercial Bank, DFCC, Teejay and Hayleys gained while Haycarb fell.

John Keells Holdings PLC-backed City of Dreams Sri Lanka will hold its grand opening on 2 August 2025, hosting 100+ international journalists and influencers for the USD 1.2bn integrated resort. The project features 800+ rooms and is expected to boost tourism, jobs and high-value travel to Sri Lanka.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts will stage the inaugural Sri Lanka Wildlife Festival in London from 15–17 July 2025, featuring a curated exhibition of 65 wildlife images and expert-led sessions to promote Sri Lanka as a wildlife tourism destination. The event is partnered with Cinnamon Nature Trails, the Wilderness and Wildlife Foundation and the Sri Lanka High Commission to target eco-conscious travellers and industry partners.

Colombo All Share Price Index rose 0.72% to 18,161.49 as markets recovered while awaiting US tariff letters; gains were led by John Keells, HNB, Central Finance and Melstacorp. Turnover fell to 5.9 billion rupees.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon Life will host Karma Fight League’s KFL 005 on July 25 at the Lumina Ballroom in a strategic venue and hospitality partnership, supporting rising sports tourism demand in Colombo.

Markets fell as Sri Lanka awaited a US tariff letter: ASPI down 0.06% to 18,032 and S&P SL20 down 0.34% to 5,321. Stocks weighed down included John Keells, C T Holdings, HNB, Royal Ceramics and Ceylon Tobacco; exporters Haycarb, Hayleys Fabric and Teejay Lanka slid while Dipped Products rose.

Colombo market fell as ASPI declined 0.58% (around 106 points) and S&P SL20 down 0.5% on low turnover of Rs.2.4bn; major drags included Melstacorp, Colombo Dockyard, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence and NDB, while turnover was led by Sampath, John Keells and Vallibel Finance.

Indian firms are looking to expand into Sri Lanka; an Indian shipbuilder has bought into Colombo Dockyard and is expected to inject cash, and Adani has invested in a container terminal with John Keells Holdings.

Colombo's ASPI finished the week up 1.5%, closing at 18,148 (up 47 pts) while the S&P SL20 gained 1.6%, with weekly turnover averaging Rs.6.8bn. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, Sunshine and CT Holdings, and food retailing led turnover.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.26% (47.42 pts) to 18,148.34 as US tariff threats loomed, with buying lifting banks and conglomerates; John Keells, Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Sunshine closed higher.

ASPI fell 0.23% (41 points) to 18,000 as profit-taking weighed on the Colombo market, led by declines in HAYL, CTHR, DOCK, GRAN and SAMP. Turnover was Rs.5.6bn with capital goods (notably JKH, AEL) and banking among top contributors; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.48.3m.

Colombo bourse rebounded as ASPI rose 0.8% (145 pts) to 18,142 on turnover of Rs.7.8bn, led by strong activity in Capital Goods and Banking; CTHR, DOCK, AEL, RIL and JKH were among top positive contributors.

John Keells Holdings' City of Dreams Sri Lanka will hold its by-invitation grand opening on 2 August with Shah Rukh Khan as special guest. The 4.5-million-sq-ft integrated resort, developed with Melco, features 800+ rooms, luxury retail, large meeting spaces and a Melco-operated casino.

ASPI fell 30 points to 17,997 as turnover hit Rs.7.63 billion, led by large crossings in LOLC Finance, L B Finance and Sampath Bank. Top turnover contributors included LOFC, JKH, Central Finance, Panasian Power and Sampath Bank, while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.3.4bn.

John Keells Holdings and Melco will open City of Dreams Sri Lanka on August 2, 2025 — a 4.5-million-square-foot integrated resort with over 800 luxury rooms and a Melco-operated casino. The launch positions Colombo as a major luxury tourism and events hub in South Asia.

John Keells CG Auto opened a fifth BYD showroom in Ampara, expanding the BYD retail network across five regions in Sri Lanka and planning service/spare-parts facilities plus nearby 7kW EV charger installations to improve NEV accessibility.

ASPI crossed 18,000 to close at 18,026 as both indices rose about 7% for June, with turnover of Rs. 6.38bn led by LFIN, AEL, JKH, CFIN and SAMP.

John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000) has appointed Madhavan Menon, former Chairman of the Thomas Cook Group, as an Independent Non-Executive Director effective 1 July. Menon spent 25 years at Thomas Cook India, serving as Managing Director and later Chairman/Executive Chairman before retiring in May 2025.