News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.39% (83.87 pts) to 21,508.86, with banks leading turnover at Rs 41.8 million. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company proposed a first and final dividend of Rs 25 per share for the year ended March 31.

LAUGFS Gas PLC cut its 12.5 kg domestic LP gas cylinder price by Rs.1,280 to Rs.4,965 (5 kg down Rs.512 to Rs.1,988). Litro Gas Lanka also reduced domestic LP gas prices (12.5 kg down Rs.300 to Rs.4,465), citing lower international LP gas prices and promising uninterrupted supply.

Sri Lanka cut fuel prices effective June 30: Auto Diesel down Rs25 to Rs382/litre and Octane 92 down Rs20 to Rs414. Prices had risen sharply since Feb, driving up transport and grocery costs and pressuring retailers and logistics.

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.

LAUGFS Gas PLC said domestic LPG prices will remain unchanged for June, keeping the Colombo District 12.5 kg cylinder at Rs. 6,245 as it absorbs higher global procurement, freight and rupee-depreciation costs. Litro Gas Lanka also held May prices for June, keeping its 12.5 kg cylinder at Rs. 4,765.

LAUGFS Gas PLC's Director/Cluster CEO Dr. Niroshan J Pieries and LAUGFS Holdings' Group Executive Vice Chairman Mithila Wegapitiya received the 45 Under 45 Leadership Excellence Platinum Awards from the Global CEO Forum. The recognition highlights the group's focus on leadership, innovation and digital transformation.

Sri Lanka raised retail fuel prices effective May 31 (Auto Diesel +Rs15 to Rs407/L; Octane 92 +Rs24 to Rs434; Super Diesel +Rs20 to Rs478; Super Petrol +Rs25 to Rs495; Kerosene +Rs20 to Rs285), as the fuel import bill more than doubled to US$886m in April and prices near 2022 crisis levels.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally higher, ASPI up 0.02% at 23,015.32 with turnover of Rs.3.66 billion. Real estate and transportation led turnover (Rs.495.2m and Rs.485.2m) and Abans Finance listed Rs.1.34bn five-year debentures; its shares rose 3.47%.

LAUGFS Gas revised domestic refill prices to Rs. 6,245 (12.5kg) and Rs. 2,500 (5kg). Litro Gas held retail LP gas prices for May unchanged at Rs. 4,765 (12.5kg), Rs. 1,910 (5kg) and Rs. 890 (2.3kg).

Colombo bourse rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.69% (155.47 pts) to 22,739.77 after Middle East developments pushed oil below $100, with turnover over Rs. 4.1bn and net foreign inflow of Rs. 62.4m. JKH, MELS and RIL were among top positive contributors while LIOC fell and REEF gained.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher Monday with the ASPI up 0.65% at 22,695.00 and turnover of 4.81 billion rupees, driven by buying in banking counters. Top contributors included NDB, Dialog, Melstacorp and Colombo Dockyard, while Ceylinco Insurance and Windforce were among decliners.

The EPF's listed equity portfolio rose 27% to Rs. 188.85 billion at end-2025. The fund cut holdings from 65 to 59, fully exited six counters (Cargills Bank, Ceylon Hotels, Colombo Dockyard, Jetwing Symphony, LAUGFS Gas, Sierra Cables) and added Hemas (40m shares); gains were led by banks and diversified stocks.

EPF fully exited holdings in six CSE-listed companies in 2025 — Cargills Bank, Ceylon Hotels, Colombo Dockyard, Jetwing Symphony, LAUGFS Gas and Sierra Cables — and made one new investment, buying 40 million shares in Hemas Holdings; its listed equity count fell from 65 to 59.

Laugfs Gas consignment of about 7,000 MT of LPG was discharged from tanker ANDOVER at Hambantota International Port on 4 April, a shipment the port says can supply roughly 570,000 households and is the port's first gas consignment of 2026.

LAUGFS Gas PLC has resumed filling at Hambantota and Mabima plants and is releasing about 30,000 LPG cylinders daily to restore market availability. The company says it will ensure uninterrupted supply over the festive season for households, hotels, restaurants and industrial users.

LAUGFS Gas (LGL.N0000) raised the 12.5 kg LPG cylinder price by Rs. 1,070 to Rs. 5,700; Litro raised the 12.5 kg price by Rs. 775 to Rs. 4,765. Both firms cited surging international LPG and freight costs and said shipments in transit will secure supply.

Laugfs Gas (LGL.N0000) will receive 8,000 tons of LPG at end-March and 21,000 tons in late April; combined with Litro Gas consignments the government says supplies will exceed monthly demand. Officials said distribution and storage coordination challenges remain.

LAUGFS Gas (LGL.N0000) raised domestic LPG cylinder prices: 12.5 kg up Rs.300 to Rs.4,630 and 5 kg up Rs.120 to Rs.1,862, citing higher international LPG costs and tight supply; state-run Litro Gas implemented similar increases.

Government raised retail fuel prices across the board: Petrol Octane 92 +Rs24 to Rs317, Octane 95 +Rs25 to Rs365, Auto Diesel +Rs22 to Rs303, Super Diesel +Rs24 to Rs353, kerosene +Rs13 to Rs195. Lanka IOC mirrored CEYPETCO's increases.

Brent crude jumped past $110/bbl in March 2026, prompting Sri Lanka to raise diesel 7.8% and petrol 10%, which widens the import bill, pressures reserves and has devalued the rupee. The shock raises energy and transport costs, risking higher inflation and strain on fuel importers and the power sector.

LAUGFS Gas PLC says LPG supply is normalising after government support to operationalise its Hambantota Terminal; cargo shipments under a new supply arrangement have been secured and distribution restoration is under way.

Minister says there is no LP gas shortage after LAUGFS (LGL.N0000) halted supply for several days due to an operational limitation at Hambantota; LAUGFS is rerouting shipments and Lanka IOC/Litro (LIOC.N0000) has raised daily supply from 1,200 mt to 1,500 mt, with multiple shipments due.

LAUGFS Gas says it has secured stocks and rerouted LPG shipments to Colombo Port after operational limitations at its 30,000-metric-ton Hambantota import terminal, assuring uninterrupted domestic LP Gas supply. The company is working with authorities to expedite the terminal's release.

LAUGFS Gas PLC raised domestic LPG refill prices effective midnight 6 Feb: 12.5 kg cylinder up Rs.80 to Rs.4,330 and 5 kg up Rs.32 to Rs.1,742, applying islandwide.

ASPI rose 0.03% (7.45 pts) to 23,813.77 while the S&P SL20 slipped 0.02% to 6,617.85; turnover was Rs.8.3 billion and foreigners were net sellers with a reported net outflow of Rs.144.6 billion. Top contributors included HNB, DFCC, UML, RICH and ASCO, with DOCK, HAYL and SFCL dragging the index.

Colombo market rose as the ASPI gained 0.66% (150.67 pts) to 23,014.75, with market value up Rs.58.89 billion and turnover ~Rs.5.8 billion. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, ACL Cables, Dipped Products, Carson Cumberbatch, LOLC and Sampath, and foreigners were net buyers (~Rs.87.8m).

Colombo market recovered as the ASPI rose 0.17% (38.48 pts) to 22,333.25 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.31% to 6,071.12. Turnover was Rs 2.85bn on ~77.2m shares with foreign net outflows of Rs 42.8m; top contributors included DOCK, COMB, SAMP, MELS and DFCC.

Colombo Stock Exchange regained nearly 40% of last week's Rs. 424 billion loss as the ASPI rose 2.04% (439.46 pts) to 22,034.32. Top contributors included DOCK, CINS, COMB, SAMP and ACL, with turnover around Rs. 3.88 billion.

Colombo bourse rose on Budget optimism as ASPI gained 0.98% (225 pts) and S&P SL20 rose 1.13%; banking led activity (23% of turnover) and key positive contributors included SFCL, COMB, SAMP, HNB and VONE, with DFCC, LAUGFS and Bogala among high-turnover winners.