News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange fell for a sixth straight session as the ASPI dropped 0.54% to 21,962.30. Turnover exceeded Rs.1.5bn with foreigners net sellers of Rs.185m; major drags included Melstacorp, John Keells, Carson Cumberbatch and CIC Holdings, while Access Engineering and Chevron Lubricants featured among top contributors.

ASPI fell 118.35 points to 21,962.30, slipping below 22,000, while the S&P SL20 dropped 31.55 points to 6,135.50, led by declines in heavyweights such as Dialog Axiata and Melstacorp; banking stocks (NDB, HNB, Sampath) also recorded losses. Market turnover was LKR 1.53 billion, with JKH crossings contributing LKR 264 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the ASPI down 0.39% to 21,995.04 and the S&P SL20 down 0.27% to 6,150.33. Top negatives included Melstacorp, John Keells and Carson Cumberbatch while Digital Mobility Solutions, Royal Ceramics and Haycarb were positive; turnover was LKR 1.13 billion.

Colombo market opened down 0.65% as the ASPI fell 146.53 points to 22,263.28 with turnover over Rs.1.7bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.466.1m; Windforce, CIC and Hayleys were main negative contributors while Windforce, Colombo Dockyard and Sathosa Motors led turnover.

Seylan Bank PLC has partnered with Sathosa Motors PLC to offer a dedicated leasing facility for ISUZU commercial and passenger vehicles, with 24-hour fast-track approvals, up to seven-year payment terms, competitive interest rates and vehicle discounts (LKR100,000 on trucks; LKR200,000 on double cabs) plus service/spare-parts benefits.

Dividend · Rs 25.00 · XD Jun 9, 2026

Final dividend of LKR 25/share; XD 2026-06-09; record 2026-06-09; payable 2026-06-26; FY ended 31st March 2026

Dividend · Rs 15.00 · XD Mar 6, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 15/share; XD 2026-03-06; record 2026-03-08; payable 2026-03-25; FY ending 31st March 2026

HNB.N0000 and SMOT.N0000 signed a partnership on 23 September 2025 to offer nationwide leasing solutions for ISUZU vehicles, targeting commercial and personal customers.

DIMO unveiled a flagship Tata Passenger Vehicle showroom at Altair Colombo as part of a nationwide expansion of its Tata PV showroom network. The company plans further openings (Batticaloa, Kandy, Jaffna) and is expanding aftersales, EV charging, parts availability and financing options.

DIMO (DIMO.N0000) opened a flagship Tata passenger vehicle showroom at Altair Colombo, expanding its nationwide Tata PV showroom network and planning further outlets in Batticaloa, Kandy and Jaffna; the rollout includes aftersales, EV charging and financing initiatives.

Sampath Bank and Sathosa Motors signed an MoU to offer vehicle buyers a 0.5% reduction on lease interest, interest-free insurance loans if paid within two months, 0% 12-month card repayments for insurance, and discounts of Rs.50,000 on trucks and Rs.100,000 on double cabs plus other promotions.

DIMO (Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC) and Tata Motors launched 10 new commercial trucks and buses in Sri Lanka, expanding DIMO’s distribution portfolio under their 65-year partnership. Select models include up to 3-year/300,000 km warranties and support from 15 nationwide service centers.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Sathosa Motors PLC launched a nationwide partnership to offer leasing on Isuzu vehicles, with Sathosa giving Rs 50,000 off trucks and Rs 100,000 off cabs plus three complimentary services; campaign runs until 31 March 2026. Commercial Bank will provide tailored leasing packages with competitive rates and flexible repayments through its branch network.

DIMO has partnered with Bank of Ceylon to offer leasing of Mercedes‑Benz, Jeep and Tata vehicles with concessionary interest rates to expand access via BoC's 651 branches. The deal includes discounts on Tata commercial vehicles and waived insurance for ACE HT2 and XENON YODHA pick‑ups until end‑August 2025.

Colombo market opened higher as the ASPI rose 0.26% (50 points) to close at 19,518, with turnover around Rs. 6.16 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers (Rs. 30.2m) and gains were led by Royal Ceramics, Melstacorp, Hemas, L B Finance and C T Holdings, with Capital Goods, Banking and Diversified Financials driving turnover.

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.

Dividend · Rs 10.00 · XD Jul 8, 2025

Final dividend of LKR 10/share; XD 2025-07-08; record 2025-07-08; payable 2025-07-28; FY ended 31st March 2025

Sri Lanka's vehicle assembly and component sector says it now has over 17 assembly plants and 5,000 direct skilled workers and aims to increase component export revenues from $800m to $2bn within five years, supporting job creation and foreign-exchange conservation.

Sri Lanka's local vehicle assembly sector has more than 17 assembly plants and aims to raise component export revenues from USD 800m to USD 2bn within five years. The industry directly employs over 5,000 skilled workers and has 17 additional investors preparing operations, supporting broader manufacturing growth.

Dividend · Rs 5.00 · XD Nov 4, 2024

First Interim dividend of LKR 5/share; XD 2024-11-04; record 2024-11-04; payable 2024-11-22; FY ending 31st March 2025

Access Group committed to sponsor the Royal Colombo Golf Club Monthly Medal for the next three years and donated to the Caddie Trust Fund and towards new shoes for caddies. Access Engineering (AEL.N0000) and Sathosa Motors (SMOT.N0000) were among group companies involved in organising the event.

Ranjith Sepala Dahanayake was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Vallibel Finance PLC. He brings over four decades of legal experience and joined the board of Sathosa Motors PLC as an Independent Director in 2018.

Access Group will sponsor the Royal Colombo Golf Club Monthly Medal on Aug 30–31, committing to a three-year sponsorship and hosting 225 golfers over two days. Group companies including Access Engineering and Sathosa Motors will be involved in organising the tournament.