News & market updates

John Keells CG Auto received its first shipment of nearly 500 BYD New Energy Vehicles at Hambantota Port, with deliveries to pre-booking customers to begin in the coming weeks.

ASPI rose 1.67% (256 pts) as turnover reached Rs.3.67bn, led by heavy Sierra Cables volume and buying in banking and diversified-financial stocks. Banking stocks and capital-goods names (notably Sierra Cables, John Keells, CDB, HNB) were key contributors.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.67% to 15,662.85, led by a banking-sector bounce that also lifted the S&P SL20 up 2.14% to 4,703.54. Turnover jumped to 3.67 billion rupees; top contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, John Keells, Sampath Bank and DFCC, while Sierra Cables had the largest turnover.

The Ministry appointed a Tourism Advisory Committee on 18 March 2025, chaired by Dileep Mudadenitya; the committee includes a Senior Vice President from John Keells Holdings, representing industry stakeholders to support Sri Lanka's tourism development.

Colombo market closed higher — ASPI +12 points, S&P SL20 +19 with turnover of Rs.1.25bn. Major contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath while John Keells, Hemas, Browns, LOLC and Ceylon Cold Stores were among laggards; foreigners were net buyers of Rs.14.2m.

The ASPI fell 1.6% (255 points) as selling continued with banking and blue-chip stocks leading declines; turnover was Rs. 1.7bn (below the monthly average) and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 50.5m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed marginally up 0.18% at 15,421.54 as buying returned after a three-day slide, led by gains in Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath; turnover fell to 1.25 billion rupees and net foreign inflow was 14 million rupees.

John Keells CG Auto (part of John Keells) has opened Sri Lanka’s first dedicated BYD NEV service center offering full battery diagnostics and high-voltage safety assessments and structured technician training.

Cinnamon Life will host a 'Weddings in the Sky' Open Day on 29–30 March 2025, showcasing its wedding venues and offering exclusive booking perks including special package rates, complimentary room nights and photo locations.

Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior VP at John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000), was appointed chairman of the new Tourism Advisory Committee to advise on strategic tourism development; government targets 3m visitors and $5bn in 2025 (5m by 2030).

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.63% to 15,394.23 and the S&P SL20 fell 1.60% to 4,588.03. Top decliners included Ceylinco Insurance, HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC and John Keells; turnover rose to 1.77bn rupees and Hayleys plans to raise up to 7bn via a debenture issue.

The ASPI fell about 211 points (1.35%) as the CSE opened lower on a selling spree with turnover of Rs.1.27 billion. Banking counters led the decline while capital goods and food & beverage drove turnover; major laggards included MELS, NDB and SAMP.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 15,645.30 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.52% to 4,662.66 as turnover fell to 1.27 billion rupees and volumes declined; top decliners included Melstacorp, NDB, Sampath Bank, DFCC and Aitken Spence.

Fortude advanced the GLO leadership and outreach program through 2024, running multiple training workshops, internships and CSR projects (career guidance, laptop donations and IT awareness sessions) to upskill youth and university students.

Conservation International CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan said Sri Lanka has huge potential to offer the world due to its biodiversity and can align development with conservation. His remarks were made at a 'Create the Future' event co-hosted by Academics Group and JKH Group.

Colombo market rebounded as ASPI rose 151 pts (0.96%) to 15,861 on turnover of Rs.24bn, led by banking and blue‑chip gains; top contributors included COMB, HNB, SAMP, HAYL and JKH while BOGA, JKH and SAMP led turnover.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.96% to 15,861.14 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.07% as turnover was Rs 2.42bn with a net foreign inflow of Rs 49m. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath Bank, Hayleys and John Keells.

Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) has commenced operations with a 1,400m quay, 20m depth and 3.2 million TEU annual capacity; it is jointly owned by Sri Lanka Ports Authority, John Keells Group and Adani Ports. ZPMC supplied eight STS cranes, 18 ARMGs and automated systems capable of handling ultra-large vessels up to 24,000 TEUs.

Aloe Blacc arrived in Colombo for a two-day visit and said he is prepared to invest in Sri Lanka, including the tourism sector. He will meet government officials, entrepreneurs in cashew, coconut, organic goods, energy drinks and Ceylon cinnamon, and engage with biotechnology and investment stakeholders.

Colombo bourse ended the first week of March lower, with the ASPI down 2.2% and the S&P SL20 down 2.5%; average daily turnover was Rs. 2.73bn and yesterday's turnover Rs. 2.18bn. Primary negatives included LLUB, SAMP, DFCC and COMB, while MELS, HHL and HNB were the top gainers.

ASPI fell 43 pts (0.27%) to 16,123 as turnover dropped to Rs.2.36bn. CTC, MELS, CCS and BIL were notable negatives while HAYL, SEYB, HHL and CARS led gains; John Keells dominated turnover and its share rose 10c.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed down 0.05% at 16,115.47 on mixed sentiment with thin turnover of 2.1 billion rupees. There was a net foreign outflow of 409 million rupees; top negatives included Sampath, DFCC and Commercial Bank while John Keells, Hemas and Melstacorp saw high volumes.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.27% to 16,123.10 as turnover slowed to Rs 2.3 billion. Top decliners included Ceylon Tobacco (down 5.9%), Ceylon Cold Stores (down 2.9%), Melstacorp, HNB and Browns Investments, while John Keells, Browns, Jetwing Symphony and Marawila Resorts were among the most active by volume.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 1.94% (308.22 pts) at 16,178.47 with turnover of Rs 5.17 billion despite volatility. Banks regained investor interest and top contributors included Sampath, HNB, Hayleys and Bukit Darah, while John Keells, Hemas, Nations Trust and Browns saw high volumes.

ASPI fell 1.84% (297 pts) to 15,870, turning YTD performance to -0.47%, with the banking sector leading losses and DFCC, HNB, SAMP, COMB and CINS the top detractors. Turnover rose to Rs.2.4 billion, with banking accounting for 41% of turnover.

John Keells Holdings' property arm (John Keells Properties) and Indra Traders completed TRI-ZEN, an 897-unit residential development in Union Place, Colombo, with over 500 handovers to date.

Union Bank hosted a Financial Expo in Jaffna, with John Keells Properties, Prime Group, United Motors and Fairfirst offering customers exclusive deals on real estate, automobiles and insurance.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.84% (297.05 pts) to 15,870.25, dragged by financials with Ceylinco (-7.4%), DFCC (-5.1%), HNB (-1.8%), Sampath (-1.9%) and Commercial Bank (-1.9%). Turnover was Rs 2.3bn (banks Rs 982m) and net foreign outflow was Rs 109m.

Colombo market opened March down with ASPI -1.9% and S&P SL20 -2.1%, turnover Rs.1.5bn; profit-taking in banks (led by HNB, COMB, NDB) drove the fall while CTC, SPEN and AHUN were among top positive contributors; foreigners net sold Rs.127.4m.

Retail IT hosted 'Retail Technology Trends 2025' at Waters Edge with 150+ retail and hospitality professionals, showcasing POS innovations and celebrating a 15-year partnership with Posiflex; Nalaka Umagiliya of John Keells Holdings spoke at the event.