News & market updates

Colombo market fell for a second day as ASPI slipped 0.39% to 22,177.65 and the S&P SL20 eased 0.32% to 6,130.65 on turnover of Rs.2.01bn. Notable moves: Ceylon Cold Stores, Haycarb and Pan Asia Banking gained, John Keells was flat, with mixed or retail interest in several other stocks.

Colombo bourse closed lower with the ASPI down 0.21% to 22,695 as investor sentiment remained subdued after the CBSL rate hike; market turnover was over Rs. 1.7 billion.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.24% to 22,256.26. Market turnover was LKR 1.67bn, capital goods led turnover (LKR 286.7m); notable movers included Dialog, RIL Property, HNB and Digital Mobility (up) while JKH and LOLC were down, and ACME reported a 63% rise in losses to Rs.313,538 with shares down 3.51%.

Colombo Stock Exchange midday: ASPI down 0.13% at 22,280 with market turnover Rs.762 million and telecommunications leading turnover at Rs.107.3 million. Notable movers included Dialog +4.93%, RIL Property +8.02% and Digital Mobility +1.69%; Softlogic reported a Q3 loss of Rs.1.70bn (improved from Rs.4.59bn) and shares rose 3.03%.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.50% to 22,309.23 midday Friday, with turnover Rs.240.5m and capital goods leading turnover at Rs.94.3m. Top movers included Access Engineering, Aitken Spence (declared Rs.4 tax-exempt dividend), Hemas and Central Finance while SMB Finance, Watawala, John Keells and Windforce fell.

Sampath Bank PLC signed an MoU with John Keells CG Auto to offer NEV buyers a 0.5% reduced interest rate on loans, insurance-financing and free credit cards for BYD and DENZA purchases. John Keells CG Auto is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC with nationwide sales and service coverage.

Colombo stocks recovered after the CBSL hiked policy rates by 100bps, with the ASPI up 0.11% at 22,199.23 and turnover around Rs.1.86bn. DIAL, CCS, BREW, CARS and NDB were top positive contributors; VLL saw net foreign buying while AAIC saw net foreign selling and Food & Beverage led turnover.

John Keells Holdings (JKH) posted Group EBITDA of Rs.80.01 billion for FY2025/26, up 75%. Recurring profit attributable rose 155% to Rs.13.24 billion; group units Nations Trust Bank (NTB) and Union Assurance (UAL) also reported improved results, with NTB completing the HSBC Sri Lanka retail acquisition.

John Keells Holdings reported FY2025/26 Group EBITDA of Rs.80.01bn (up 75%), recurring PBT of Rs.35.72bn (up 143%) and recurring profit attributable of Rs.13.24bn, and declared a final interim dividend of 10 cents to bring FY26 total to 30 cents (Rs.4.42bn). The group cited broad-based contributions from Retail, Transportation and Leisure, and noted improved performance at NTB and double-digit premium growth at Union Assurance.

Colombo market closed down 0.85% at 22,175.14 after the CBSL raised the policy rate by 100bps and amid heightened Middle East tensions. Foreign investors were net sellers of over Rs.3bn, turnover was Rs.4.93bn with AAIC crossings accounting for about Rs.3.1bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.54% to 22,294.71 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.61%. Top contributors included Dialog Axiata, Ceylon Cold Stores, NDB and Bairaha Farms while Hemas, Lion Brewery and Sampath Bank lagged; Jetwing Symphony declared a final dividend of Rs0.50 and closed at Rs14.30 (+2.88%).

Dividend · Rs 0.10 · XD Jun 5, 2026

Final dividend of LKR 0.1/share; XD 2026-06-05; record 2026-06-07; payable 2026-06-24; FY 2025/26

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, with the ASPI up 1.98% to 22,364.77, as rupee stabilisation and lower interest rates boosted investor confidence. Ceylon Cold Stores and Hemas posted strong quarterly profits and John Keells declared a final dividend; Dialog, Commercial Bank and Sampath gained while hSenid and Dipped Products fell.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 1.96% (430.21 pts) to 22,359.85 on Monday, with the S&P SL20 up 1.93%. Top contributors included Dialog Axiata, John Keells, Commercial Bank and Hemas; Ceylon Cold Stores reported Q1 profit up 75% to Rs 3.76bn and LVL Energy Fund's rights issue was oversubscribed.

ASPI surged 435.13 points (1.98%) to 22,364.77 with turnover of Rs.2.42 billion, driven by broad domestic buying; top contributors included Dialog Axiata, Commercial Bank, John Keells, Sampath Bank and Hemas Holdings, and market cap rose to Rs.8.11 trillion.

John Keells CG Auto denied having prior knowledge of the temporary surcharge on vehicle imports and said it did not establish Letters of Credit for BYD vehicles immediately before the Gazette notification dated 15 May 2026. JKCG said its most recent BYD orders were between March and 30 April 2026 and no LCs were opened in May.

ASPI fell 4.26% for the week but closed Friday up 0.44% at 21,929.64, with market turnover near Rs.2.2bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.11.6m; top positive contributors were JKH, DOCK, MELS, RICH and SAMP amid cautious investors ahead of the CBSL policy meeting.

John Keells CG Auto (JKCG) said it did not open any Letters of Credit for BYD vehicles on the day before Gazette notification No. 2488/56 (15 May 2026) and denied prior knowledge of the temporary vehicle import surcharge. The company said its BYD orders were placed between March and 30 April 2026 and no LCs were established after that date.

Colombo Stock Exchange traded higher midday as the ASPI rose 0.24% (52.94 pts) to 21,886 with turnover Rs.807m, led by gains in John Keells and DFCC. Lanka Ceramic declared a final dividend of Rs.6.40 and Swisstek recommended a final dividend of Rs.0.40 per share.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up with the ASPI rising 0.44% to 21,929.64 on turnover of Rs.2.17 billion, led by capital goods turnover of Rs.545.5 million. Lanka Hospitals announced a tax-free final dividend of Rs.1.00 per share (total Rs.223.73 million) payable without shareholder approval.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with ASPI up 0.75% (164.01 pts) to 21,953.06 and S&P SL20 up 0.71% to 6,076.69; market turnover was LKR 1.014 billion, led by banks (LKR 296.2m). Central Industries declared a final dividend of LKR 6.00/share and its shares were up 3.21% at LKR 224.75.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 1.98% to 21,856 amid concerns over rupee depreciation (buy 334.50 / sell 343.50). Top negatives included Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, John Keells, Ceylinco Insurance and HNB; Swisstek rose, and Ambeon reported a Q3 loss of Rs.221.7m with its share down 4.72%.

Sri Lanka shares fell, with the ASPI down 1.54% to 21,954.92 and the S&P SL20 down 1.28% to 6,069.81. Capital goods led turnover at 956.7 million rupees; banks including Sampath, Commercial Bank and DFCC weighed on the index while Union Chemicals, LOLC Finance and Aitken Spence gained.

John Keells Holdings' real estate arm reports The Offices at Cinnamon Life have achieved Colombo's highest office rents at USD 3/sq ft/month (~LKR 950/sq ft/month) with potential investor yields up to 8%, driven by strong demand for integrated premium office space.

Colombo market closed marginally lower, with the ASPI down 0.07% at 22,298.07 while foreign investors were net buyers with inflows of over Rs.50 million. JKH.N0000, RICH.N0000, CIC.N0000, SAMP.N0000 and NDB.N0000 were among the top negative contributors; capital goods led turnover and banking plus food, beverage & tobacco made up 27% of turnover.

The ASPI fell 2.59% (592.28 points) to 22,313.47 — its third-largest single-day points decline — as the CSE closed sharply lower with turnover nearly Rs.4.9bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.114.3m. Key negative contributors included John Keells, RIL Property, Hayleys, Commercial Bank and Colombo Dockyard while capital goods and banking sectors led turnover and losses.

The India–Sri Lanka Business Forum in Mumbai on 13 May 2026 highlighted renewed momentum in trade, investment and connectivity across tourism, renewable energy, ICT, logistics and infrastructure, with John Keells chair Krishan Balendra among delegates promoting deeper private‑sector ties.

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday, ASPI +0.54% (119.98 pts) to 22,433. Market turnover was Rs.597.2m with capital goods leading at Rs.181.7m; Colombo Fort Investments and Colombo Investment Trust announced interim scrip dividends.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as ASPI fell 2.59% (592.28 pts) to 22,313.47. Brokers cited broad selling with John Keells, RIL Property, Hayleys, Commercial Bank and Colombo Dockyard weighing on the index while Ceylinco Insurance was a positive contributor; Lion Brewery and Ceylon Beverage reported higher quarterly profits.

John Keells Holdings PLC chair Krishan Balendra received a signed copy of Dr. Binod Chaudhary's book 'Made in Nepal' after Chaudhary spoke at the SLID Chairman & CEO Forum, organised with Union Bank and Port City.