News & market updates

Colombo bourse hit record highs as ASPI rose 197 points (1%) to 17,025, led by banking stocks with Hatton National Bank up to Rs. 360.50 amid share-split rumours. Turnover was Rs. 9.78bn, banking and consumer stocks dominated activity and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 565.6m.

John Keells Holdings' retail president said consumer demand is picking up but remains below pre-crisis levels (items per basket fell from 9 to 6.8), and Keells Super (run by Ceylon Cold Stores) is opening new outlets, including in Jaffna. The piece also noted currency moves and a central bank policy rate cut to 8.0%.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.17% to 17,025.99 as stocks closed up 1.1%, led by gains in HNB, Central Finance, Hayleys, SFCL and LOLC-group names. Turnover was Rs 9.7bn with a net domestic inflow of Rs 565m, while some banks (Sampath, NDB, DFCC) fell.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as banking stocks led gains after Fitch upgraded several Sri Lankan banks; the ASPI closed up 1.40% at 16,828.80. Turnover was LKR 10.66bn with a net domestic inflow of LKR 670m and a net foreign outflow of LKR 670m; notable movers included HNB, NDB, Browns and Ceylon Tobacco.

ASPI rose 224 points to 16,597 and the S&P SL20 closed at 5,047 as the Colombo market hit new highs on Rs.8.3bn turnover led by banking stocks, with Commercial Bank, HNB, DFCC, NDB and Sampath among the top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the ASPI up 1.31% (224.01 pts to 16,597.16) and S&P SL20 up 1.72% (85.42 pts to 5,047.45), driven by banking stocks and strong retail turnover. Top turnover generators included Commercial Bank, HNB, DFCC, NDB and Sampath Bank, with a net foreign outflow of Rs 279 million.

Sri Lanka will lift vehicle import restrictions on 1 February 2025, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held talks with BYD in China about BYD exporting NEVs and supporting green mobility; BYD will operate in Sri Lanka via John Keells CG Auto (John Keells Group).

John Keells Group (via its John Keells CG Auto JV) will support BYD's exports of new-energy vehicles to Sri Lanka after vehicle import restrictions lift on 1 February, advancing green mobility and EV infrastructure in the country.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon brand is taking pre-bookings for Kandy Myst by Cinnamon, a 215-room hotel in Kandy, with the official opening due soon.

Colombo bourse ended the week higher (ASPI +2.1% for the week; ASPI +0.26 yesterday, S&P SL20 +0.28) with turnover yesterday at Rs.5.4bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs.221.5m. Banking and capital-goods/construction stocks led turnover, with top contributors including Dialog, DFCC, Dipped Products, Hemas and Commercial Bank.

The HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival opened in Colombo, with the John Keells Foundation backing the festival’s visual arts program; organisers say the festival aims to boost tourism and Sri Lanka’s cultural profile.

ASPI closed up 0.26% at 16,257.31 as the Colombo bourse ended higher despite a net foreign outflow of 221 million rupees. Banks and consumer names drew interest; top foreign selling hit John Keells while DFCC, Dipped Products, Hemas and Commercial Bank were among top contributors.

A session at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit on 29 Jan will focus on 'Maximising Tourism Potential', targeting USD 8.5 billion in tourist earnings by 2030. Panelists include executives from Cinnamon Hotels and Aitken Spence, with Dialog Axiata among event partners.

Colombo market sustained gains with the ASPI up 0.4% and S&P SL20 up 0.2% on Rs.5 billion turnover and a net foreign inflow of Rs.194.5 million. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, Tokyo Cement, Lanka IOC, ACL Cables and Access Engineering, with banking leading turnover (26%).

Colombo market opened the holidays-shortened week higher as the ASPI rose 1.4% and the S&P SL20 rose 2% on turnover of Rs.4.4bn, supported by lower T-bill yields and strong banking and blue‑chip buying (notable contributors: SAMP, DFCC, NDB, HNB, COMB, JKH).

John Keells Properties (John Keells Group) launched an interactive VIMAN desk calendar offering over LKR 1 million in gifts to promote its suburban VIMAN residential development. The six-acre project allocates over 65% to open spaces and emphasizes community and sustainability.

Sri Lanka stocks closed up Friday, with the ASPI rising 0.73% to 15,926.00, led by financial, consumer and hotel stocks. Top contributors included HNB, LOLC, Hemas, Browns and Royal Ceramics, with turnover at 3.7 billion rupees.

The ASPI fell 143 points (0.9%) to 15,811 and the S&P SL20 lost 1.2%; turnover was Rs.4.13bn with a net foreign outflow of Rs.38m. Selling in banking counters (Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC) weighed on the market while John Keells, Browns and LB Finance saw heavy turnover and small price moves.

John Keells (via its authorized agent John Keells CG Auto) has partnered with Indra Service Park to open a BYD 3S facility named 'BYD Kandy' in Kandy, with pre-bookings for BYD vehicles starting January 16.

Adani Ports (APSEZ) entered the global Top 10 in the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment with a score of 68, placing in the 97th percentile and retaining #1 in Environment. APSEZ is also developing the Colombo West International Terminal in a joint venture with John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, due early 2025.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded with the ASPI rising 0.63% (≈99 points) to 15,954 on turnover of Rs.5.2 billion. Key contributors included Sampath, Melstacorp, LB Finance and Commercial Bank, with the banking sector leading turnover and a net foreign outflow of Rs.229.6m.

ASPI fell 0.15% (24 pts) to 15,855 as profit-taking continued, with turnover Rs.4.56bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.48.3m. Banks and diversified financials led turnover (22% and 38% combined), with HNB, CFIN, HHL, Browns Investments and John Keells among notable movers.

Colombo bourse fell with the ASPI down 1.06% and S&P SL20 down 1.14%, while net foreign inflow was Rs. 188.1 million. Banking led turnover (25%) and several stocks (SAMP, COMB, CINS, RICH, NDB) were top negative contributors; JKH, HHL and BIL recorded small gains.

The Ceylon Chamber will hold the Sri Lanka Economic Summit on Jan 28–29 focusing on public‑private partnerships and reforms to drive transformational growth. Panelists include ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono and John Keells Holdings Chairman Krishan Balendra.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon Bentota Beach Signature Selection will host Gem Sri Lanka 2025 from 8–10 Jan 2025. The exhibition is expected to attract international buyers and tourists, supporting the gem trade and boosting Sri Lanka's tourism sector.

Colombo bourse ended a four-week winning run as the ASPI fell 299 points to 16,049 (-1.83%) and the S&P SL20 dropped 2.24%; turnover was Rs.11.48bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.142m. Sampath, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Melstacorp and Hayleys were among the top negative contributors while JKH gained.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 1.83% to 16,049.42 and the S&P SL20 fell 2.24% to 4,860.33; turnover was Rs 11.4bn with a net foreign inflow of Rs 141m. Top positive contributors included John Keells, Aitken Spence, Bukit Darah, Lanka IOC and Nawaloka Hospitals.

After a 26-day rally, the CSE reversed course: ASPI fell 299.13 pts to 16,049.42 and the S&P SL20 dropped 46.05 pts to 4,925.82. Turnover was Rs.11.48bn led by Browns Investments (Rs.1.03bn), John Keells (Rs.882m), HNB (Rs.401m), Sampath (Rs.350m) and LOLC (Rs.305m); 189 stocks closed lower.

Colombo Stock Market opened 2025 strongly as the ASPI rose 2.5% (404 pts) to top 16,000 on Rs.12.8bn turnover and net foreign inflow of Rs.88.6m, led by blue-chips and banking names such as JKH, Browns Investments, Aitken Spence, Sampath Bank and Hemas.

S&P SL20 rose past the 5,000 mark to 5,001.74, up 0.60% (29.87 points), while the ASPI was up 0.64% at 16,452. The rally is attributed to low interest rates, banks' excess liquidity making margin loans cheap, and positive banking-sector/debt-restructuring news.