News & market updates

Colombo ASPI fell 0.32% to 18,884 on profit-taking while turnover rose to 17 billion rupees, boosted by a crossing in Hatton National Bank non-voting shares. HNB shares declined (non-voting to 286.50), and John Keells, Hayleys, Central Finance, Melstacorp and Royal Ceramics also traded lower.

ASPI hit a record closing of 18,838.39, up 297.13 points (1.60%) on turnover of Rs. 9.49 billion. Banking-led activity (31% of turnover) drove the rise, with Sampath, Seylan (non-voting), Pan Asia, John Keells, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank among the top contributors.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose to 18,838, up 1.60% (297.13 pts), led by gains in John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank despite a US 30% tariff announcement. Turnover rose to 9.49 billion rupees and exporters were mixed, with Teejay down and Haycarb higher.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI gained 129 points (0.7%) on fresh buying, with turnover of Rs.5.98bn. Banking and construction led gains — HNB, Central Finance, R I L Property and Melstacorp were among top contributors while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.84.4m.

Colombo All Share Price Index rose 0.72% to 18,161.49 as markets recovered while awaiting US tariff letters; gains were led by John Keells, HNB, Central Finance and Melstacorp. Turnover fell to 5.9 billion rupees.

Colombo market fell as ASPI declined 0.58% (around 106 points) and S&P SL20 down 0.5% on low turnover of Rs.2.4bn; major drags included Melstacorp, Colombo Dockyard, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence and NDB, while turnover was led by Sampath, John Keells and Vallibel Finance.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.58% to 18,042.20 on Monday as US tariff uncertainty damped investor interest, with Melstacorp, HNB, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence and NDB posting declines and turnover falling to Rs2.4bn. Colombo Dockyard announced a rights issue of 323m shares at Rs40.

Colombo's ASPI finished the week up 1.5%, closing at 18,148 (up 47 pts) while the S&P SL20 gained 1.6%, with weekly turnover averaging Rs.6.8bn. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, Sunshine and CT Holdings, and food retailing led turnover.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.26% (47.42 pts) to 18,148.34 as US tariff threats loomed, with buying lifting banks and conglomerates; John Keells, Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Sunshine closed higher.

Colombo stocks closed marginally down, with the ASPI falling 0.23% to 18,100 and the S&P SL20 down 0.22% to 5,347. Seylan Bank received in-principle CSE approval for a Rs15bn Basel III debenture issue, and Tal Lanka Hotels listed 32,228,524 ordinary voting shares after a private placement.

Colombo market rebounded after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, with the ASPI up 2.5% (426 pts) and turnover Rs.5.2bn. Banking stocks and conglomerates led gains, with JKH, COMB, PABC and CFIN among the top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange jumped 2.54% after President Trump announced an Iran-Israel ceasefire, with the ASPI up 425.80 points to 17,191.20 and the S&P SL20 up 2.86% to 5,133. The rise was led by gains in Commercial Bank, John Keells, Melstacorp, Hayleys and LOLC, with turnover at 5.2 billion.

Colombo market lost Rs. 117 billion as the ASPI fell 1.9% (S&P SL20 -2.1%) amid Middle East tensions, with turnover Rs. 2.5 billion led by HNB, SAMP and EAST. Broad-based declines hit banking and capital goods counters, while foreign net inflows were small.

Sri Lanka stocks fell 1.89% as Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, with the ASPI down 322.55 points to 16,765 and the S&P SL20 down 2.02% to 4,991. Banks and major conglomerates — Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, Melstacorp and Hayleys — weighed on the index amid fears of higher crude prices.

Asia Frontier Capital has increased its weight on Sri Lanka equities to 14% from about 5% two years ago. The fund cites improving macro fundamentals, political stability and pickup in tourism and corporate earnings, and lists holdings including JKH, Commercial Bank, HNB, Hemas, Sunshine, Dipped Products and Melstacorp.

Colombo market slipped as the ASPI fell 1.3% (234 pts) to 17,427 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.6%, with turnover around Rs.4 billion. Diversified financials led turnover while HNB, MELS, DFCC, SAMP and JKH pressured the index; Capital Alliance and Central Finance saw notable moves.

Colombo Stock Exchange tumbled as the ASPI fell 234.37 points (1.33%) to 17,427.08 following Israel's strike on Iran and resulting geopolitical tensions. Losses were led by heavyweight banks HNB, DFCC and Sampath, with John Keells and Melstacorp also down; turnover was Rs. 3.98bn.

Sri Lanka's stock market fell after Israel bombed Iran, with the ASPI down 1.33% to 17,427.08 and the S&P SL20 down 1.58% to 5,191.86. Heavyweights HNB, DFCC, Sampath, John Keells and Melstacorp declined and helped drive the sell-off as oil prices rose on geopolitical tensions.

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka reported March-quarter earnings of Rs4.49bn, up 19% y/y, with revenues rising 31% to Rs36.7bn. Group net profit was Rs4.08bn, reflecting a continued demand recovery amid stable prices as the central bank missed its 5% inflation target.

Hatton National Bank saw a 9.99% stake divestment (45.9m shares) by Browns Investments via nine off‑board trades at Rs.305, driving turnover to Rs.18.7bn and lifting the ASPI ~1%. Banking counters led gains and accounted for 81% of turnover, with broad buying across banks and select FMCG names.

A 10% stake transfer in Hatton National Bank (HNB) drove Colombo Stock Exchange gains: ASPI rose 0.98% to 16,657.63 and turnover surged to 18.7 billion rupees, with the HNB trade contributing 14.4 billion; HNB closed at 319.50 (up 17.25).

CBSL cut the OPR by 25bps to 7.75%, boosting the Colombo market (ASPI +0.7%, S&P SL20 +0.54%) on higher turnover; key contributors were CARG, MELS, JKH, DIAL and HHL, with strong banking interest and Rs.313.4m foreign net inflows.

The central bank cut its policy rate by 25 bps to 7.75%, and Sri Lanka stocks closed higher—ASPI +0.72% and S&P SL20 +0.54%. Top contributors included Cargills, Melstacorp, John Keells, Dialog Axiata and Hemas.

Colombo market gained further momentum as the ASPI rose 1.15% (183.5 pts) with turnover of Rs. 4.5 billion led by heavy trading in John Keells, Lanka Realty, Commercial Bank, LOLC Holdings and Sampath Bank. Separately, Lanka IOC announced a first and final dividend of Rs. 5 per share.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.29% (208.80 pts) to 16,340.04 as mid-cap buying and stronger retail interest lifted the market, with Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank among gainers while NDB weighed on the index.

Fitch affirmed Melstacorp PLC and its subsidiary Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka at 'AAA(lka)' with a Stable Outlook. Fitch cited a strong consolidated credit profile, expected FCF above LKR10bn, improving spirits revenue (FY25 +12%) and diversification via the Heineken Lanka acquisition.

ASPI rose 183.55 points (1.14%) to 16,314.79 as CSE turnover hit Rs.4.55 billion with over 180 million shares traded. Lanka Realty led activity (Rs.467m); JKH, LOLC and Commercial Bank saw heavy trading; Melstacorp, Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Aitken Spence helped drive gains while several counters including Dipped Products, Ceylon Grain Elevators, Industrial Asphalts and NDB fell.

ASPI rose 84.3 points (+0.5%) to 15,926 on low turnover of about Rs.1.7bn while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.35.1m; gains were led by counters including CINS, MELS, COMB and SPEN, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Banking driving activity.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.53% (up 84.32 pts to 15,925.92) after the World Bank pledged US$1bn, lifting banking shares including HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank and DFCC. Export-oriented stocks such as Teejay Lanka and Dipped Products fell as turnover dropped to LKR1.6bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher in a shortened session, with the ASPI up 45 points to 15,962 (S&P SL20 +0.22%). Turnover was about Rs.1.48–1.5 billion and foreign investors net sold Rs.177.3 million; key contributors included MELS, WIND, SPEN, SAMP and heavy turnover in CTC, BIL and KOTA.