News & market updates

Ameena Ziauddin (Norfolk Foods) was elected President of the Council for Business with Britain; John Keells (JKH.N0000), Hayleys (HAYL.N0000) and Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) were elected to the 2026–27 committee and Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000) was invited to join. The meeting highlighted rising UK tourist arrivals and UK DCTS reforms expanding zero‑tariff access for Sri Lankan exporters.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.19% (43.18 points) to 22,178.73 on turnover of Rs.1.54 billion. Asia Asset Finance announced GM and rights timetable and Associated Motor Finance said its merger with L B Finance will become effective by 31 July 2026.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally lower as the ASPI fell 0.09% (‑19.58 pts) to 22,243.70 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.02% to 6,206.51. Market turnover was Rs 1.070 billion, telecoms led turnover with Rs 247.6 million, and the CSE delayed opening due to a technical issue.

The Council for Business with Britain elected Ameena Ziauddin as President at its 26th AGM and named a 2026–27 committee including Aitken Spence Travels, Hayleys, John Keells and invited Commercial Bank's CEO to serve. The UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme and rising British tourist arrivals were highlighted as opportunities for exporters and tourism.

Colombo Stock Exchange indices rose after a delayed opening auction call, with the ASPI up 0.26% (57.99 pts) to 22,321 and the S&P SL20 up 0.31% to 6,224. The opening delay was blamed on a CSE-side technical issue that accidentally suspended active accounts after a new policy on inactive accounts; the CSE had not yet issued a statement.

UK High Commissioner urged Sri Lankan businesses to use the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers zero-tariff access to the UK and whose January 2026 reforms expand preferential access for the apparel sector, boosting export opportunities for Sri Lankan firms.

Union Assurance PLC ran free diabetes screenings and health education at the Poson pilgrimage in Anuradhapura on 28–30 June as part of its Suwamaga programme, which has directly impacted over 23,500 people and reached 1.2 million since 2024. The programme, delivered with the Diabetes Association and Ministry of Health, reported 71% of beneficiaries showing positive behavioural changes.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.45% midday to 22,309.09 with turnover of 951.8 million rupees, utilities contributing 448.6 million. Convenience Foods Lanka authorized an 8.00 rupee first-and-final dividend and Tokyo Cement proposed a 2.50 rupee first-and-final dividend.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka forum highlighted the newly enacted SLTFTA and reported bilateral trade rose 48% to $649m in 2025. Officials said the FTA and related measures should expand market access and investment across logistics, manufacturing, tourism, food processing, IT and healthcare.

Government aims to build coconut and food & beverage exports to USD 3.0bn in two years (USD 2.0bn coconut, USD 1.0bn food & beverage) and pledged incentives, support for value-added production, streamlined raw-material imports and industry establishment in the Northern Province.

Colombo bourse finished the week higher, with the ASPI up 0.21% and the S&P SL20 up 0.51%; yesterday ASPI closed at 22,409.81 and the S&P SL20 at 6,247.42. Turnover topped Rs.1.9bn with foreign net inflow of Rs.9.3m; COCR, PKME and SIL led turnover while ACL fell and Hayleys, HNB Finance, Lanka Realty and CIC posted gains.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat (ASPI +0.01% to 22,409.81) on Friday with market turnover of Rs1.91bn. Top contributors included DFCC, Melstacorp and Central Finance while John Keells, Access Engineering, Haycarb and Aitken Spence lagged; Nations Trust Bank announced allotment of its Basel III Tier 2 debenture issue and its shares closed at Rs318 (-0.08%).

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 44.99 points (0.20%) to 22,452.03 as gains in Sampath Bank, Central Finance, Colombo Dockyard and others lifted the market; turnover was Rs.349 million. Lee Hedges completed sale of land and premises to Amana Bank for Rs.2.7 billion on June 25, and both stocks traded higher.

John Keells Holdings chair Krishan Balendra was re-elected Chairperson of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at its 187th AGM for 2026/27. The Chamber's board includes executives from Hayleys, Renuka Hotels and Dialog Axiata, and said 18 of its Budget 2026 recommendations on trade, digitalisation and investment were adopted.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher with the ASPI up 0.89% to 22,407.04 and the S&P SL20 up 0.99% to 6,242.75 on Rs.2.72bn turnover; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.50.3m.

Ceylon Chamber re‑elected Krishan Balendra (Chairperson of John Keells Holdings PLC) and named its 2026/27 board, which includes executives from Hayleys PLC, Dialog Axiata PLC and Renuka Hotels PLC.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.89% as the ASPI gained 198.46 points to 22,407 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.99% to 6,242, with turnover of 2.7 billion rupees. Top positive contributors were Dialog Axiata, John Keells and Hayleys, while Bukit Darah and Colombo Fort Land & Building were top decliners.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum centred on implementing the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA to boost trade and investment after bilateral trade reached USD 649m in 2025 (+48% vs 2024). Delegates highlighted opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, IT, healthcare and tourism and urged streamlined customs and predictable FTA implementation.

Colombo market fell 0.22% as the ASPI closed at 22,208.58 with turnover near Rs.1.2bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.130.6m. Main negative contributors included SAMP, JKH, LOFC, GRAN and RICH, while SPEN, BOGA and HAYC recorded gains.

Colombo Stock Exchange indices rose, with the ASPI up 0.37% (82.93 pts) to 22,291.51 and the S&P SL20 up 0.56% to 6,216.28. Top contributors included John Keells, Windforce, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Sampath Bank; market turnover was LKR110.3m, led by materials (LKR60.4m), while Brent crude fell below $73/bbl.

The ASPI edged up 0.01% to 22,256.49 with turnover above Rs.1.56bn and foreign investors net-selling Rs.225mn. Hemas, NDB and Hayleys Fibre were top turnover contributors (Hemas and Hayleys up, Panasian Power down).

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.48% to 22,253.52 as investor sentiment soured over renewed Middle East peace concerns. Only 51 stocks rose vs 164 declines; turnover was ~Rs1.2bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs154.6m; main negative contributors were JKH, SPEN, DFCC, COMB and ACL.

FitsAir will launch thrice-weekly direct Ahmedabad–Colombo flights from 19 June 2026 (about 3h40m), partnered with City of Dreams Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, improving access for Gujarat travellers and expected to boost inbound tourism to Colombo.

Sri Lanka and Thailand plan to deepen trade and investment using the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA and enhanced B2B engagement, targeting tourism, hospitality, food processing, agriculture, logistics and other sectors to boost bilateral ties and supply‑chain links.

Colombo Stock Exchange trended up, with the ASPI rising 0.27% (61.12 pts) to 22,314.64 on turnover of Rs.609.9m, led by capital goods (Rs.241.2m). Lee Hedges announced revised payment terms for its Rs.3.15bn acquisition of Lanka Realty Developments (Rs.1.1bn paid, Rs.2.057bn due within six months plus interest).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: ASPI fell 0.48% to 22,253.52 and S&P SL20 fell 0.25% to 6,199.97, with market turnover of 1.18 billion rupees. Top gainers included Vallibel Power Erathna and Hatton National Bank, while John Keells, Aitken Spence, DFCC and Commercial Bank were among the main decliners.

John Keells Properties (part of John Keells) unveiled the on-site show apartment for the VIMAN Ja-Ela development, a six-acre project with more than 60% dedicated to green and open space. Visitors can now tour the model home and see planned amenities such as a clubhouse, pool, gym and walking paths.

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha met Sri Lankan business leaders including John Keells Holdings' Krishan Balendra and Hayleys' Dhammika Perera; John Keells-backed Colombo West International Terminal handled over 1 million TEUs in its first year. Sri Lanka's cabinet approved a 2,269.18 million rupee transmission-line tender to a JV including Hayleys Fentons, and talks covered trade, investment and a Rupee-to-Rupee commercial corridor with India.

Colombo market rose for a second session as the ASPI gained 0.22% to 22,436.14 on turnover above Rs.3.1bn, driven by elevated HNW activity with PKME, Dialog and NDB among top contributors; foreigners were net sellers of Rs.333.3m.