News & market updates

Colombo market gained further momentum as the ASPI rose 1.15% (183.5 pts) with turnover of Rs. 4.5 billion led by heavy trading in John Keells, Lanka Realty, Commercial Bank, LOLC Holdings and Sampath Bank. Separately, Lanka IOC announced a first and final dividend of Rs. 5 per share.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts will host Oscar‑nominated filmmaker Deepa Mehta for a 'Signature Weekend' on 31 May and 1 June at Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection and Cinnamon Life; single screening tickets are Rs.10,000 with stay packages from Rs.75,000.

ASPI rose 183.55 points (1.14%) to 16,314.79 as CSE turnover hit Rs.4.55 billion with over 180 million shares traded. Lanka Realty led activity (Rs.467m); JKH, LOLC and Commercial Bank saw heavy trading; Melstacorp, Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Aitken Spence helped drive gains while several counters including Dipped Products, Ceylon Grain Elevators, Industrial Asphalts and NDB fell.

Colombo market jumped as the ASPI rose 215 points (1.35%) to 16,131, reclaiming the 16,000 level with turnover of Rs.3.3bn. HNB, COMB, CFIN, SAMP, SPEN and JKH were among the top drivers and foreign investors were net buyers (Rs.25.5m).

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts will host Oscar-nominated filmmaker Deepa Mehta for a 'Signature Weekend' on 31 May–1 June 2025 at Cinnamon Bentota Beach and Cinnamon Life, featuring screenings of Midnight’s Children, Water and Funny Boy; tickets/packages start at LKR 10,000.

NDB Bank will provide exclusive 100% home-loan financing for John Keells Properties' VIMAN Phase 3 in Ja-Ela. The 418-unit development is 75% sold, the project is due by 2027 and the financing offer is valid until September 2025.

John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000), via its John Keells IT arm, is collaborating with TEDxColombo for the 13th edition on 1 June 2025 as an event supporter and partner.

Elephant House (Ceylon Cold Stores) is the Official Carbonated Beverage Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket, gaining exclusive pouring and sales rights at international matches in Sri Lanka through 31 March 2027. The partnership includes stadium pouring, signage, digital/on-ground activations and fan campaigns.

The ASPI fell 120 points (0.75%) to 15,842 as investors reacted to the ruling NPP's weaker-than-expected LG poll showing, with turnover of Rs. 3.2bn. Major drags included JKH, CINS, COMB, SPEN and SAMP while Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover (61%).

John Keells Holdings' property arm launched the 'Minutes Away' marketing campaign for TRI-ZEN using Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses to deliver immersive, first-person POV content. The campaign — billed as Sri Lanka's first to use the glasses — will roll out across short-form digital platforms.

Sri Lanka stocks fell 0.76% after the NPP failed to secure a majority in local government polls, with the ASPI closing 119.99 points lower at 15,841.60. Blue-chip names and most banks led declines and buying interest was weak in export-oriented stocks.

Sri Lanka’s ASPI rose 0.41% to 15,916.69 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.57% to 4,664.82 as bank and mid-cap stocks strengthened ahead of local elections; HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC, NDB, John Keells and Lanka Milk Foods all closed higher.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams hosted DWP Privé from Apr 9–11, 2025 with 100 top planners and 50 global suppliers, underscoring the venue’s strength for luxury weddings and MICE and supporting prospects for John Keells Hotels (KHL.N0000) and parent John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000).

Sri Lanka launched the UAE chapter of the Sri Lanka Conference Ambassador Programme on 29 April 2025 to promote MICE events and attract international conferences to Sri Lanka, boosting demand prospects for local hotel operators and Cinnamon Life’s 160,000+ sq ft MICE space. Ten ambassadors were appointed for 2025/2026.

The CSE opened May on a mixed note as turnover hit a new high of Rs. 6 billion while the ASPI rose 52 points to 15,852; crossings in CT Holdings and Cargills dominated activity, together accounting for the bulk of turnover. Banking and food retail stocks, including Pan Asia Banking and Lankem, were also among top contributors.

ASPI rose 0.33% to 15,851.74 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.12% to 4,638.29, with John Keells Holdings the top negative contributor. Banking stocks were mostly negative (HNB, Sampath, Commercial, NDB down; DFCC, NTB up) and exporters showed mixed moves (Teejay, Hayleys Fabric, Dipped Products, Haycarb).

ASPI rose 51.80 points (0.33%) to 15,851.74 as turnover hit Rs. 5.9bn, driven by Rs. 2bn crossings in C T Holdings and Cargills. Pan Asia Banking, C T Holdings, DFCC, Melstacorp and Nations Trust were top contributors while John Keells, HNB, Commercial Bank, NDB and Access Engineering weighed on the index.

John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000), via its John Keells Foundation, continues as presenting partner of the Gratiaen Prize; the 32nd edition shortlist of five books was announced and the winner will be revealed on 31 May 2025.

Colombo market ended a four-day winning streak as the ASPI fell 0.4% (67 points) to 15,800 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.6%. Turnover was Rs.2.37bn; banking, diversified financials and Food & Beverage led declines, and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.90.6m.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon Bentota Beach Signature Selection hosted Sinhala & Tamil New Year celebrations, attracting international guests with traditional games and a lavish Awurudhu buffet.

Cinnamon Grand Colombo (John Keells Hotels) will host FitCon Sri Lanka 2025 on May 3, a full-day fitness, wellness and lifestyle expo featuring over 50 wellness brands, curated zones, a sunrise duathlon and a vendor showcase.

John Keells Foundation (CSR arm of John Keells Holdings PLC) marked its 20th anniversary on 25 April 2025, saying its programmes have impacted over 9 million people through 30+ projects across education, livelihoods, social health and biodiversity. The event highlighted partnerships including training at the Elephant House factory and biodiversity work with Cinnamon Hotels, and featured flagship initiatives such as Project WAVE and Plasticcycle.

Colombo bourse rose as the ASPI gained 69 points (0.44%) to close at 15,811 on turnover of Rs. 2.79bn, while foreigners were net sellers (net outflow Rs. 101.4m). John Keells, Hemas, Vallibel Finance and Commercial Bank were among top contributors, with capital goods leading turnover and diversified financials and food/beverage active.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.44% after a staff-level agreement with the IMF that clears the way for about $344m in financing; the ASPI closed 69.43 points higher at 15,811.47 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.45%. Export-oriented shares led gains while selected banking stocks ended weaker.

Colombo Bourse closed the week higher, with the ASPI up ~2% and finishing at 15,742 after a 126-point gain on Friday. Market gains were led by LOLC, RCL, NDB, SUN and MELS, with Friday turnover at Rs.2.4bn (Capital Goods, Food & Beverage and Diversified Financials leading) while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.103.6m).

The ASPI gained 72 points (+0.5%) to 15,616 as the Colombo market bounced back, led by the capital goods sector. Turnover was about Rs.1.5 billion with net foreign inflows of Rs.35.2m; notable movers included Hemas, John Keells, Browns, Alumex and DFCC.

Colombo stocks rallied 0.46% after President Dissanayake said tariff talks with the US were productive, with the ASPI up 71.64 points to 15,615.63. Export-focused names were quieter despite the market uptick.

Colombo market slipped for a third day as the ASPI closed at 15,544 (down ~12 points) while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05%; turnover was Rs.1.09bn, 57% below the monthly average. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover, banking sentiment stayed weak; JKH, SUN, CCS rose while CFIN, DFCC and MELS lagged.

Sri Lanka stocks closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 15,543.99 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 4,608.41. Trading was volatile with Lion Brewery, Melstacorp, Central Finance, NTB and DFCC among top decliners, Haycarb and Hayleys Fiber gained and turnover was LKR 1.1bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange indices rose in morning trade, with the ASPI up 0.18% to 15,583.22, as positive sentiment followed a US vice‑presidential visit and RBI easing; John Keells Holdings was up 1.0%, Hayleys up 0.8% and Haycarb down 0.1%.