News & market updates

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed down 0.05% at 16,115.47 on mixed sentiment with thin turnover of 2.1 billion rupees. There was a net foreign outflow of 409 million rupees; top negatives included Sampath, DFCC and Commercial Bank while John Keells, Hemas and Melstacorp saw high volumes.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.27% to 16,123.10 as turnover slowed to Rs 2.3 billion. Top decliners included Ceylon Tobacco (down 5.9%), Ceylon Cold Stores (down 2.9%), Melstacorp, HNB and Browns Investments, while John Keells, Browns, Jetwing Symphony and Marawila Resorts were among the most active by volume.

The ASPI rose 1.87% (about 296 pts) to 16,167 as the Colombo market staged a strong rebound and turnover doubled to Rs.5.18bn. The Banking sector led gains (Hatton, Nations Trust, National Development Bank, Sampath among top contributors) while capital goods and select stocks also saw heavy activity.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 1.94% (308.22 pts) at 16,178.47 with turnover of Rs 5.17 billion despite volatility. Banks regained investor interest and top contributors included Sampath, HNB, Hayleys and Bukit Darah, while John Keells, Hemas, Nations Trust and Browns saw high volumes.

ASPI fell 1.84% (297 pts) to 15,870, turning YTD performance to -0.47%, with the banking sector leading losses and DFCC, HNB, SAMP, COMB and CINS the top detractors. Turnover rose to Rs.2.4 billion, with banking accounting for 41% of turnover.

Colombo market opened March down with ASPI -1.9% and S&P SL20 -2.1%, turnover Rs.1.5bn; profit-taking in banks (led by HNB, COMB, NDB) drove the fall while CTC, SPEN and AHUN were among top positive contributors; foreigners net sold Rs.127.4m.

Medicare 2025, Sri Lanka’s international healthcare exhibition, concluded at BMICH Colombo after three days with over 150 stalls and Asiri Hospital Holdings as the main sponsor. Organised by Asia Wellness Forum with Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions, gold sponsors included Nawaloka Hospitals and Melsta Hospitals and the event promoted medical tourism.

Medicare 2025, Sri Lanka’s international healthcare exhibition, opened at BMICH on Feb 28 and runs to Mar 2 with over 150 stalls; organisers include Asia Wellness Forum and Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions. Major local hospitals including Asiri, Nawaloka and Melsta Hospitals are participating and were recognised at the event.

Medicare 2025 opened at BMICH in Colombo with over 150 local and international exhibitors; lifetime awards were presented to Asiri Hospitals and Nawaloka Hospitals and the event is promoted as a platform to boost medical tourism and showcase healthcare innovations.

The ASPI rose 0.5% to 16,431 on low turnover of Rs.1.6 billion as bargain buying and month‑end flows supported a symbolic rebound; CINS, LOLC and COMB were top positive contributors while MELS and CFVF were among the main detractors.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.96% to 16,345.01 as stocks pulled back, dragged by financials amid thin turnover of LKR 2.3bn and a net foreign outflow of LKR 64m. Top decliners included Ceylinco, Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and LOLC while banking stocks saw the highest turnover.

Damien Fernando has been re-appointed as an Executive Non-Independent Director of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC (DCSL). He is also an Executive Director of the group holding company Melstacorp PLC and holds other group and non-executive roles.

Colombo bourse rebounded on Friday—ASPI +0.18%, S&P SL20 +0.6%—but ended the week down 0.3% and 0.6%; Friday turnover was Rs.3.5bn (weekly avg Rs.4.2bn). The banking sector led turnover (57%) and gained 0.89%, with COMB, MELS, JKH, NDB and SAMP among top contributors; net foreign outflow Rs.749.8m.

Colombo market fell for a second day as the ASPI dropped 1.2% to 16,859 (≈215 pts) with turnover of Rs.2.9bn and a Rs.381mn foreign outflow; the Banking sector led the decline with HNB, Sampath Bank and NDB among the top negative contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 0.3% as the ASPI rose 0.18% (30.34 pts) to 16,889.31, with turnover slowing to 3.5 million rupees and a net foreign outflow of 749 million rupees. Bank stocks led activity—Commercial Bank, NDB, Sampath and HNB were top contributors, while John Keells and CIC saw high turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 0.9% as the ASPI dropped 0.86% to 16,927.13 amid profit-taking—especially in banks—and a net foreign outflow of Rs 380mn. DFCC reported an 80% rise in December-quarter profits and Sampath an 85% increase.

Colombo market closed marginally higher with ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.6% on turnover of Rs.5.5bn. Banking led turnover (30%) and gained 1.25%; notable moves included Sampath +Rs1, Commercial Bank +Rs2, Sierra Cables +Rs0.40, Lanka IOC +Rs0.50 and LOLC -Rs4, with net foreign outflow of Rs.93m.

Dividend · Rs 2.60 · XD Feb 28, 2025

Second Interim dividend of LKR 2.6/share; XD 2025-02-28; record 2025-03-02; payable 2025-03-19; FY 2024/25

Colombo Stock Exchange rose after the Budget, with the ASPI up 1.3% and net foreign inflows of Rs. 777.4 million. Banking, insurance and diversified financials led the session, with Ceylinco, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath among the top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, with the ASPI up 0.22% at 17,193.79 and the S&P SL20 up 0.63% at 5,139.63. Investor interest centred on banks and capital goods (notably Sampath, Commercial Bank and Hemas); Melstacorp, Distilleries, Sampath and Teejay Lanka declared cash dividends and Hemas plans a share sub-division.

Colombo market closed the week higher as ASPI and S&P SL20 rose about 2% (ASPI 16,937, +358 pts) with turnover Rs.5 billion, led by banks, capital goods and food & beverage stocks ahead of the 2025 Budget.

ASPI fell 1.3% (221 pts) to 16,345 as the Colombo market stayed bearish for a second day with Rs.2.4bn turnover; the Banking sector led losses and turnover, with HNB, SAMP, DFCC, MELS and COMB the main negatives and CTC, RICH and COOP top positives.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 16,345.30 as turnover was Rs2.3bn, with banks weighing on the market. Major decliners included NDB, Seylan, HNB, Sampath and DFCC while Nations Trust, Colombo Dockyard and Ceylon Tobacco gained; net foreign outflow was Rs64m.

Colombo bourse fell as the ASPI dropped 1.01% to 16,566 with turnover of Rs.2.07bn and foreigners closing as net sellers. CINS and JKH were among the main negatives while SAMP and GUAR were top positives; banking led turnover (29%) and capital goods plus food & beverage accounted for 33%.

Hasitha Jayawardena was appointed Chairman of Melstacorp PLC and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka, and Stasshani Jayawardena was appointed Chairperson of Aitken Spence PLC.

Hasitha Jayawardena has been appointed Chairman of Melstacorp PLC, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC and Madulsima Plantations; Stasshani Jayawardena was appointed Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC and named Deputy Chairperson of Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC. Both continue to hold or assume directorships across the group.

The ASPI fell 2.3% for the first week of February despite a 1.38% rebound on Friday; weekly turnover averaged Rs.4.16bn and Friday turnover was Rs.2bn. Ceylinco, Melstacorp, John Keells and Aitken Spence were among Friday's top contributors, while Watawala, Seylan Bank and SMB Finance were key detractors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +1.38% to 16,734 and S&P SL20 +1.48% to 4,996, with turnover Rs2bn and net foreign outflow Rs75mn. Top contributors included Ceylinco Holdings, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank; several chairperson appointments were made following Harry Jayawardena's death.