News & market updates

Colombo bourse ended the week lower: ASPI down 0.40% (96.43 pts) at 23,773.64 and S&P SL20 down 0.32% at 6,721.47. Leading negatives were COMB, CTHR, MELS, BUKI and JKH; banking sector led turnover (23%) and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 11.3m.

Fitch assigned Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC a first-time National Long-Term Rating of AA+(lka) with a Stable Outlook. Fitch cited strong parent support from Aitken Spence PLC and Melstacorp, but flagged high exposure to the Maldivian economy and rated proposed senior unsecured debentures AA(lka) up to Rs.5bn.

Milford Exports Ceylon Ltd. increased its stake in Melstacorp PLC by 1 million shares at Rs.179 each, raising ownership from 42.80% to 42.88%.

The Colombo market hit an intraday record of 24,052.06 but closed flat, with the ASPI down 0.01% at 23,953.09 and the S&P SL20 up 0.20% at 6,663.12. Turnover was over Rs.5.4bn; York jumped 24.81% while SAMP, RICH, DFCC, CTHR and CARG were top negative contributors.

Colombo bourse hit a new year high as the ASPI rose 142.74 pts (0.60%) to 23,956.51, about 43.49 pts shy of 24,000. Top contributors were LOLC, DOCK, COMB, BIL and MELS, with turnover ~Rs 10.5bn and net foreign selling of Rs 82.1m.

ASPI touched 24,000 intraday for the first time, closing at 23,956.51, up 142.74 points. Turnover rose to Rs.10.50 billion led by heavy trading in Colombo Dockyard (Rs.2.12bn) and LOLC Holdings (Rs.1.24bn), with gains led by LOLC, Colombo Dockyard, Commercial Bank, Browns Investments and Melstacorp.

Colombo market ended flat as the ASPI fell 0.02% to 23,623.74 with turnover near Rs.5.17 billion and foreign investors net sold about Rs.91 million. Top negative contributors were SFCL, JKH, BUKI, CTHR and DFCC, while DOCK, ACL and RHL led turnover and HAYL and DOCK supported index performance.

Browns Beach Hotels PLC's board proposed voluntary delisting from the CSE and offered minority shareholders an exit price of Rs. 30 per share, with majority shareholders Melstacorp (41.88%) and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings (36.62%) arranging purchases of exiting shares. The company cited sustained losses, a going-concern emphasis, negative net asset position and non-compliance with minimum public holding.

Melstacorp (MELS.N0000) and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings (AHUN.N0000) have arranged to buy back minority shares as Browns Beach Hotels seeks delisting from the Colombo Stock Exchange with an exit offer of Rs.30 per share. The move follows sustained losses, non-compliance with minimum public holding and is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.43% as the ASPI gained 100.90 points to 23,708.70, led by Dialog Axiata and gains in banks, capital goods and telcos; market turnover increased to Rs9.2bn.

CSE ended flat for a second straight session: ASPI down 0.71 pts to 23,607.80 and S&P SL20 down 0.12% to 6,494.76. Top negatives included JKH, DOCK, DFCC, SFCL and HHL while Sierra Cables, Commercial Bank, CDB and RIL recorded gains; turnover ~Rs.4.9bn and foreign net inflow Rs.22m.

Melstacorp's Melsta Hospitals became Sri Lanka's first hospital to earn Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation under the 8th edition. The hospital says it will expand specialties, upgrade infrastructure and pursue medical tourism to attract international patients.

The Colombo stock market gained Rs.84 billion as the ASPI rose 1.42% to 22,445.89. Top contributors included Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp, Hatton National Bank, Richard Pieris and Commercial Bank, with capital goods, banking and materials driving turnover and hotel stocks seeing buying interest.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 1.49% as the ASPI closed 313.56 points higher at 22,445.89, led by gains in Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp, HNB and Commercial Bank. Market turnover fell to 3.4 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 36.73 million rupees, led by John Keells.

Colombo stock market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.64% to 22,149.09, with the exchange losing Rs.70 billion on the week (ASPI down 1.59% w/w); turnover was Rs.3.45 billion and foreign investors were net sellers.

Colombo Bourse closed lower with the ASPI down 0.17% (37.12 pts) to 22,292.57 on subdued activity and profit-taking, with turnover over Rs.2.3bn. Top negative contributors included DOCK, SFCL, RICH, MELS and BREW, while Tokyo Cement and Hemas saw notable investor participation.

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 Dockyard and several financials lifted the Colombo Stock Exchange 0.17% as the ASPI closed at 22,333.25. Market turnover rose to LKR 2.8bn with a net foreign outflow of LKR 42.76m; Lanka IOC had crossings of LKR 92.25m and Capital Alliance led turnover.

Government's Excise Notification No.03/2025 raises one‑time Industry Entry Fees up to Rs.25m for distilleries (Rs.5m for palmrah arrack), Rs.5m for bottling plus higher annual fees and security deposits, and Rs.10–15m for certain retail licences; existing licensees must top up deposits within 30 days.

Colombo bourse fell 1.87% to 21,826.59, wiping Rs.143 billion off market value with turnover of nearly Rs.3.78bn and foreign net selling of Rs.295.5m. Brokers said price losses in counters including Ceylinco, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank drove the slide amid adverse weather forecasts.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 1.87% to 21,826.59 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.75% to 6,030.66. Top decliners included Ceylinco Holdings, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, Senkadagala Finance and Bukit Darah; construction names Access Engineering and Sierra Cables also slid, and Hemas appointed Ajith Fernando as chairman effective Jan 1.

Melstacorp (MELS.N0000) has appointed Jude Fernando as Group CEO. Fernando brings over 32 years of senior experience across finance, supply chain, sales & marketing and has held leadership roles at Hemas, Janashakthi, Kotmale and Cargills.

Colombo market recouped 30% of Monday’s Rs.240 billion wipe-off as the ASPI rose 1% (219 points), restoring about Rs.72 billion of market cap; top contributors included RICH, CINS, SAMP, BUKI and NDB while capital goods and materials led turnover.

Melstacorp PLC appointed Sampath Jude Fernando as Group Chief Executive Officer effective December 1; he brings over 32 years' experience with senior roles at Hemas Pharmaceuticals, Janashakthi Insurance, Kotmale Holdings and Cargills.

Colombo market ended a three-day decline as ASPI rose 0.77% (174.03 pts) to 22,819.91 and S&P SL20 gained 0.30% to 6,298.75. Market turnover exceeded Rs.4bn with banking counters (led by Hatton National Bank and DFCC) dominating activity while foreign investors were net sellers of ~Rs.213.2m.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded 0.77% as the ASPI rose 175.03 points to 22,819.91 and the S&P SL20 climbed 0.30%; investor interest was strong in food, beverage and tobacco names. Top contributors included Ceylinco Holdings, NDB, Melstacorp, Browns Investments and Sunshine Holdings, while turnover fell to 4.06 billion rupees.

Dividend · Rs 2.15 · XD Dec 3, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 2.15/share; XD 2025-12-03; record 2025-12-04; payable 2025-12-22; FY 2025/26