News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange jumped as ASPI closed up 3.79% at 21,868.85 and the S&P SL20 rose 3.81% to 6,134.23. Top positives included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, John Keells and Hayleys; turnover was Rs.6.41bn with highest activity in food, beverages & tobacco.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 3.38% to 21,784.11 and the S&P SL20 climbed 3.63% to 6,123.82; market turnover was Rs.2.3bn. Top contributors included Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, Melstacorp and Dialog, while food, beverage & tobacco led turnover (Rs.834m).

The ASPI rose 3.47% (706.26 pts) to 21,071.23, recovering Rs. 244 billion on reports of a possible de‑escalation in the Middle East; the S&P SL20 gained 3.91% to 5,909.23. Market turnover exceeded Rs. 4.2 billion with gains led by Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, John Keells and Colombo Dockyard while foreigners were net sellers.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +1.35% to 20,360.27 and S&P SL20 +4.24% to 5,927.87, led by gains in Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, John Keells, Hatton National Bank and Hayleys. Market turnover was Rs.4.22bn; capital goods saw the most turnover and NDB raised Rs.16bn in a green/sustainability-linked bond.

ASPI fell 1.33% to 20,364.97 as the market reacted to Middle East tensions and rising crude oil prices. Market turnover was Rs.2.37bn, the market has lost over Rs.1.1tn since 28 Feb, primary negative contributors were DOCK, JKH, RIL, DIAL and CFIN, while JKH, SINS and DIAL saw largest foreign outflows and PKME, WIND and TAP largest inflows.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 1.35% to 20,360.27 and the S&P SL20 slid 1.06% to 5,691.97. WindForce rose after winning a 10 MW/40 MWh BESS contract worth Rs1.73bn and was the top positive contributor, while Colombo Dockyard and John Keells were top negatives; turnover was Rs2.37bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange slid midday as the ASPI fell 1.53% to 20,323.75 amid US-Iran tensions; top negative contributors were John Keells (-1.64% to Rs.18.00), Sampath Bank (-1.49% to Rs.149.25), Hayleys (-1.20% to Rs.205.00) and Central Finance (-1.84% to Rs.213.00).

The ASPI fell 1.82% to 20,264.01, a seven-month low, as Middle East tensions and oil above $118 pushed markets down with margin calls and net foreign selling; JKH, AEL, COMB, MELS and HAYL were top negative contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up Friday with the ASPI +1.85% at 20,639.73, though the market is down 4.85% from last Friday. Turnover was Rs.4.39bn led by capital goods; top contributors included Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp and John Keells, and Lanka Realty Investments said it will sell 57,204,262 shares to subsidiary Lee Hedges.

John Keells is presenting the international West End production La Bamba at The Forum, Cinnamon Life in Colombo this April, produced with the John Keells Foundation and in association with Nations Trust Bank. The run includes seven performances and a 10% early-bird discount for Nations Trust Bank AmEx and Mastercard holders.

The APSEZ–John Keells–Sri Lanka Ports Authority Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) handled one million TEUs in its first year after opening in April 2025. CWIT is a fully automated deep-water terminal with about 3.2m TEU annual capacity and a 1,400m quay.

Colombo stocks opened lower as oil topped $112/bbl, with the ASPI down 0.90% at 20,455.02 and turnover of Rs.591 million. John Keells Holdings and Hayleys were among the top negative contributors, down 2.14% and 2.34% respectively.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 1.82% as the ASPI closed at 20,264.01 amid investor uncertainty over the West Asia conflict; the S&P SL20 fell 1.98%. Top negative contributors were John Keells (-3.74%), Access Engineering (-6.04%) and Commercial Bank (-1.42%), with turnover of Rs 3.95bn and banks active.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 1.09% (222.54 pts) to 20,640.63 on turnover of Rs.5.27bn, while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.191.2m. Banking led turnover (34%) driven by HNB crossings of Rs.607.7m; top movers included DOCK, RIL, AEL, MELS and ACL.

NPCI International plans to integrate UPI in Sri Lanka so Indian tourists can pay by scanning LankaQR at merchants, with facilities already available at Cinnamon Hotels and Keells; NIPL has also discussed scaling UPI with the Central Bank.

Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) handled one million TEUs in its first year, the fastest any Port of Colombo terminal has reached that mark. CWIT — a roughly $800m joint project involving Adani Ports, John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority — is a fully automated deep‑water terminal with about 3.2m TEU annual capacity.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 3.47% to 20,939.26, wiping out about Rs.701 billion in value since Feb 28 amid concerns over the Middle East conflict. The S&P SL20 dropped 3.28% to 5,884.93, turnover was ~Rs.6.6bn, and major decliners included JKH, COMB, HNB, DIAL and DFCC.

CFA Society Sri Lanka will host Career Fest 2026 on 27 March 2026 in Colombo to connect students and early-career finance professionals with employers and sponsors including John Keells, Commercial Bank, HNB, Hayleys, DFCC and Capital Alliance. The event features sessions on the CFA Program, AI in finance and networking opportunities.

NPCI International has expanded UPI merchant acceptance in Sri Lanka, enabling Indian tourists to pay via LankaQR at major outlets including Cinnamon Hotels and Keells Supermarket to simplify cross-border digital payments and boost tourism-related spending.

Entrepreneurs’ Organisation held its Presidents’ Meeting in Colombo (5–8 Feb 2026) with over 300 attendees from 79 chapters, generating hotel bookings and a short-term boost to Colombo’s visitor economy and business tourism.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell sharply as the ASPI dropped 3.47% (753.29 pts) to 20,939.26 and the S&P SL20 fell 3.17% to 5,891.67, with major decliners including John Keells, Dialog Axiata, Commercial Bank, HNB and DFCC. Siyapatha Finance, a Sampath Bank subsidiary, received CSE approval in principle to list Rs.3.75bn of 11.50% debentures.

Cinnamon Hotels (part of the John Keells group) has partnered with FitsAir and City of Dreams Sri Lanka to operate direct Ahmedabad–Colombo flights, running three times weekly. Curated Cinnamon holiday packages for the route start from INR 55,555, including return airfare and two nights at Cinnamon Life.

The Colombo All Share Price Index fell 1.44% to 21,672.42 as Brent crude topped $100/bbl. Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Hatton National Bank were top negative contributors, and John Keells Holdings said its unit is selling a 98.39% stake in Kandy Walk Inn (Cinnamon Citadel).

John Keells Hotels (KHL.N0000) agreed to sell its 98.39% stake in Kandy Walk Inn Ltd, owner of the Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, to Lavendish Leisure for Rs. 2.777 billion, with completion expected by 31 March. The hotel will remain managed under the Cinnamon brand for at least 12 months and proceeds will be used for capital allocation and upgrades.

ASPI fell 1.63% to 21,998.12 as Middle East tensions and higher oil prices weighed on the Colombo market. S&P SL20 dropped 1.71% to 6,172.28 with broad declines led by JKH, HNB, MELS, HAYL and SAMP; turnover topped Rs.4.1bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.32.2m.

City of Dreams Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts (John Keells Hotels group) have partnered with FitsAir to launch direct Ahmedabad–Colombo scheduled flights operating three times weekly, boosting Indian leisure connectivity; curated Cinnamon holiday packages start from INR 55,555.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.63% to 21,988.12 as global uncertainty and Brent crude near $101.6 weighed on markets; John Keells Holdings, Hatton National Bank and Melstacorp were top negative contributors. Melstacorp said it sold 2,000,000 Distillery Company shares at Rs.59, trimming its stake to 92.35%.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 1.18% to 22,088.70 midday (S&P SL20 down 1.19% to 6,204.94) with turnover of Rs.1.82 billion; capital goods contributed Rs.541 million. Hatton National Bank, John Keells Holdings and Melstacorp were top negative contributors, and DFCC Bank said it will list its Blue Bond on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (DFCC stock down 2.44% intraday).

FitsAir will launch thrice-weekly Ahmedabad–Colombo flights from May 15, with travel packages bundled with Cinnamon Hotels stays (including Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams), expected to boost inbound leisure demand to Cinnamon's Colombo properties.