News & market updates

Dialog Axiata (DIAL.N0000) became the Colombo Stock Exchange's largest listed company with a market cap of Rs. 367.09 billion after its share price rose 7% to Rs. 39.90 on May 25. John Keells stood at Rs. 359.36bn and Ceylon Tobacco at Rs. 341.91bn; Commercial Bank was the largest bank at Rs. 320.88bn.

The central bank hiked rates 100bp to 8.75%, and the Colombo Stock Exchange fell with the ASPI down 0.51% to 22,249.88; market turnover was Rs.2.99bn with insurance leading at Rs.2.6bn. Lanka Ashok Leyland proposed a final dividend of Rs30/share and Lighthouse Hotel declared a final dividend of Rs3/share.

Dialog Axiata regained the top spot on the Colombo Stock Exchange with a market cap of Rs. 367.1 billion (4.51% of total market cap), overtaking John Keells Holdings at Rs. 359.4 billion.

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.

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 as the ASPI gained 0.21% to 21,833, with banks leading turnover at Rs.599.8 million and the rupee weakening to Rs.352.50. Amana Bank announced a registered address change effective May 19, 2026; its shares closed up 1.85% at Rs.27.50.

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%.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed slightly lower—ASPI down 0.07% at 22,298 and S&P SL20 down 0.21% at 6,148, with turnover Rs.2.32bn. Top contributors included Dialog, Vallibel One, Colombo Dockyard and Browns; Singer reported Q4 profit up 77% to Rs.2.48bn and Union Chemicals declared a Rs.44/share dividend.

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.

Dialog Axiata reported a net profit of Rs.9.19 billion for the quarter ended Mar 31, 2026 (up 122.3% y/y) and announced an interim cash dividend of 70 cents per share. The Colombo bourse was up (ASPI +0.28%) midday with Rs.1.81bn turnover, led by capital goods (Rs.870.3m).

Colombo bourse slipped below 23,000 as the ASPI fell 0.41% to 22,920.32 with turnover over Rs.2.8bn and net foreign outflows of Rs.29.5m. Market weakness was blamed on Middle East tensions and weaker Q1 banking earnings; CINS, MELS, BUKI, NDB and DFCC were key negative contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell as the ASPI dropped 104.80 points (0.46%) to 22,910.52. Top negatives were Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and HNB; Ceylon Tobacco declared a Rs34 dividend and Kapruka said it will inject Rs41,510,541 into its subsidiary to buy shares to fund electric delivery vehicles and working capital.

Colombo market ended marginally higher as the ASPI closed up 0.02% at 23,015.32 with turnover near Rs.3.7bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.361.3m; MELS.N0000, RIL.N0000, CIC.N0000, BUKI.N0000 and CARG.N0000 were among the leading positive contributors. Investors stayed cautious amid escalating US‑Iran tensions and rising oil prices.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the ASPI down 0.41% (95 points) to 22,920 and the S&P SL20 down 0.40% to 6,269. Banking stocks saw profit taking while top movers included Nawaloka Hospitals (+8.44%), LOLC (+0.83%) and Seylan Bank (+1.65%), and Ceylon Tobacco declared a first interim dividend of Rs.32.40.

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%.

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).

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: ASPI rose 0.69% to 22,739 and S&P SL20 gained 0.51% to 6,245, with John Keells, Melstacorp and Hayleys among top positive contributors and DFCC, Lion Brewery and CDB leading declines; market turnover was Rs.4.13bn.

ASPI rose 155.47 points (0.69%) to 22,739.77 while the S&P SL20 gained 31.89 points (0.51%) to 6,245.13. Gains were led by John Keells, HNB, Melstacorp and R I L Property; turnover was Rs.4.13bn with domestic investors 97.3% and a net foreign inflow of Rs.62.4m, led by high activity in Citrus Leisure and Janashakthi Insurance.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.72% (162.12 pts) to 22,746 and the S&P SL20 was up 0.51% to 6,244, with turnover of 2 billion rupees. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp and Lanka Realty while DFCC and Carson Cumberbatch lagged; Equity Two declared a 4.41 rupee dividend.

CSE All Share Index fell 0.49% (110.70 pts) to 22,584 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.31% to 6,225 as brokers said Middle East escalation spurred retail selling. Bank counters saw selling, turnover was Rs 2.15bn with crossings in JKH, COMB, LLUB and LFIN, and Colombo Dockyard narrowed its quarterly loss to Rs 428.1m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 101.59 points (0.45%) to 22,593 as the Colombo Stock Exchange trended down. Melstacorp, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Dialog Axiata were top positive contributors while Hayleys and Sampath Bank were among the top negatives; market turnover was Rs.1.5bn and a merchant bank announced a Rs.999.12mn rights issue.

Melstacorp Plc and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings are offering to buy minority shares of Browns Beach Hotels at LKR 30 per share ahead of the company's planned delisting from the Colombo Stock Exchange. The acceptance period runs from May 5 to June 5; Browns Beach cited sustained tourism-related losses since 2019.

Melstacorp PLC's wholly owned subsidiary Mels Automobiles has been appointed the authorised importer, dealer and after-sales provider for BMW vehicles in Sri Lanka, responsible for importation, sales, genuine parts supply and service.

Melstacorp (MELS.N0000) and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings (AHUN.N0000) opened an unconditional Rs.30-per-share exit offer today for minority shares in Browns Beach Hotels PLC ahead of its planned CSE delisting; the offer closes on 5 June with settlement by 12 June.

ASPI rose 0.65% (145.47 pts) to 22,695.00 while the S&P SL20 gained 0.6% to 6,244.64. Market turnover exceeded Rs. 4.8bn with Ceylon Tobacco Company dominating turnover (Rs. 2.4bn) even as foreign investors were net sellers, extending YTD foreign outflows to Rs. 27.6bn.