News & market updates

Colombo market opened deep in the red: ASPI fell 0.44% (98.08 pts) to 22,080.65 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.44% as foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 315.8m. Main negatives included Ceylinco, HNB, RIL and Central Finance; utilities (led by Windforce), capital goods and banking led turnover.

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.

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 market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.23% to 23,011.72 despite net foreign inflows of Rs. 597.5m; banking sector led turnover with large SEYB crossings and gains, while COMB, CINS, DFCC and Colombo Dockyard were among top negative contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower: ASPI -0.23% to 23,011.72 and S&P SL20 -0.30%, with turnover Rs.4.92bn and banks leading at Rs.3.04bn. Movers included Melstacorp, Hemas and CDB up while Ceylinco Insurance, Commercial Bank, DFCC and Colombo Dockyard fell; Laugfs Power commissioned a 2MW mini-hydro and ACME proposed a capital reduction (EGM Jun 11).

National Development Bank listed 5,308,377 ordinary voting shares effective April 10 from a scrip dividend (1:80.4180744886808); its stock traded at 116.75 (up 3.00). Ceylon Land & Equity listed 614,156,734 shares after a rights issue that raised 4,299,097,138 rupees, and trading in HNB Finance was halted pending disclosure.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up: ASPI +1.30% (284.12 pts) to 22,128.66. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp and National Development Bank; turnover was Rs5.016bn and HNB Finance announced a Rs2,499,529,714 rights issue (2 for 9).

Rights issue · 2:1 at Rs 7.00 · XD Mar 4, 2026

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 1.65% (335.95 pts) to 20,754.04, led by capital goods and banking. Colombo Dockyard jumped 8.74% and Access Engineering rose 4.46%; Ambeon Holdings announced a 1-for-4 share subdivision and Ceylon Land & Equity reported transfer of 241m rights.

The ASPI rose 0.60% (134.03 pts) to 22,577.41 on bargain hunting after a prior session plunge, with turnover ~Rs.4.7bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.95.1m. Capital goods led turnover (Rs.1.5bn) while banking and diversified financials also drove gains.

Ceylon Land & Equity PLC proposed a 2-for-1 rights issue to raise Rs.4.3 billion at Rs.7 per share (record date 5 Mar 2026). Proceeds will repay Rs.1.7b of short-term borrowings (including Rs.750m to HNB), fund Rs.1.75b into Galle Face Icon project and Rs.702m into Cargo Boat.

Rights issue · 2:1 at Rs 7.00 · XD Mar 4, 2026

Colombo stock market ended the week up as the ASPI rose 0.14% to 23,801.96 while year-to-date net foreign selling approached Rs. 11.8 billion. Turnover was nearly Rs. 9.1 billion, led by banks and large crossings (notably Commercial Bank) with gains in ACME, JKH, Sampath, HNB, KZOO, Colombo Dockyard and Teejay.

Colombo Stock Exchange turnover reached Rs. 11.11 billion in the session, led by John Keells Holdings which accounted for Rs. 4.31 billion of trades. The ASPI and S&P SL20 rose, 131 stocks closed higher, with Sampath Bank, Dialog Axiata, Acme and Ceylon Land & Equity among the top positive contributors and HNB contributing Rs. 1.51 billion of turnover.

Ceylon Land & Equity (KZOO) will issue 614,156,734 new shares at Rs.7 in a 2-for-1 rights issue to raise about Rs.4.3 billion. Proceeds are to repay short-term borrowings and fund property development and portfolio investments, subject to CSE and shareholder approvals.

Rights issue · 2:1 at Rs 7.00 · XD Mar 4, 2026

Ceylon Land & Equity approved a Rs.1.7 billion investment to take up its entitlement in Shaw Wallace & Hedges' rights issue, raising its stake to 49.2%. It will subscribe to 86.32m voting shares at Rs.17 (Rs.1.47bn) and 21.5m non‑voting shares at Rs.11 (Rs.236.5m), funded by own funds, temporary bank financing and group borrowings.

We refer to the Interim Financial Statements for the period ended 30th September 2025 that was published, and forward herewith, an amended Page 1 correcting a typographical error regarding Earnings per Share in the Group column and the profit/(loss) attributable to Equity shareholders and to non-controlling interest in the comparative quarter of the group.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.39% (88 pts) to 22,777.12 with turnover around Rs 5.38bn and foreign investors net sellers of Rs 372.5m. Key movers included Windforce (+17.6%), Colombo Dockyard (-9.9%) and gains in LAUGFS Gas and Lanka Realty Investments.

ASPI rose 96.45 points (0.49%) to close at 19,923 as the CSE opened with mixed sentiment; foreigners were net sellers with a net outflow of Rs.117.2m. Banking led turnover (25%) while Capital Goods and Diversified Financials together contributed 28% of turnover.

Colombo stock market closed the week lower: the ASPI fell 0.4% to 19,827 and the S&P SL20 lost 1.2%, with yesterday's turnover at Rs.3.26 billion. Diversified Financials led turnover (23%) driven by Galle Face Capital Partners; John Keells, Hemas, Prime Lands and Lankem were also top contributors.

Colombo market closed a healthy week: ASPI +2.3%, S&P SL20 +3.1%, average daily turnover Rs.9.88bn and net foreign inflow Rs.373.9m. Key contributors included Central Finance, Hayleys, John Keells, Sampath and Singer; John Keells rose to Rs.25.50 while HNB fell to Rs.358.50 and Seylan (non-voting) rose to Rs.66.30.

Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.7% to 17,074 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.8% on low turnover of Rs.3.7 billion (35.8% below the monthly average). Banks dominated turnover (30%); BUKI and SEMB were top positive contributors while COMB, HNB, HHL, JKH, CTC, SAMP and NDB were among the top decliners.

Colombo bourse sustained upward momentum as the ASPI rose 0.4% and the S&P SL20 gained 0.3% on turnover of Rs.6.35 bn; BIL, RICH, HNB, CFIN and LOLC were top positive contributors while JKH fell. Foreign investors were net sellers with a Rs.300 mn outflow.