News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: ASPI fell 0.48% to 22,253.52 and S&P SL20 fell 0.25% to 6,199.97, with market turnover of 1.18 billion rupees. Top gainers included Vallibel Power Erathna and Hatton National Bank, while John Keells, Aitken Spence, DFCC and Commercial Bank were among the main decliners.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.25% to 22,305.37 (down 55.94 pts) while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.30% to 6,196.50. Market turnover was Rs 423.9m, led by insurance at Rs 135.1m; NDB, Sampath and Lion Brewery were top gainers while Hayleys, Aitken Spence, Haycarb and LOLC led losses.

Colombo market rose for a second session as the ASPI gained 0.22% to 22,436.14 on turnover above Rs.3.1bn, driven by elevated HNW activity with PKME, Dialog and NDB among top contributors; foreigners were net sellers of Rs.333.3m.

Colombo Stock Exchange edged up 0.22% as the ASPI closed 50.23 points higher at 22,436.14, despite foreign investors selling a net Rs 333 million; top contributors were Aitken Spence, Dialog Axiata and Melstacorp.

Colombo market edged up as the ASPI rose 0.04% (8.62 pts) to 22,385.91 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.17% to 6,210.72. Turnover was Rs.2.56bn on 107m shares, the banking sector led turnover and foreigners were net sellers of about Rs.12.2m.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat with the ASPI down 0.02% to 22,377 and the S&P SL20 up 0.05% to 6,222; top gainers included Sunshine and Commercial Bank, while Singer and Sampath Bank were among the laggards.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.40% (85.54 points) to 21,461.63, with market turnover of 1.67 billion rupees. Bukit Darah, John Keells, Aitken Spence and Associated Motor Finance were positive contributors while C T Holdings and Melstacorp were among the largest decliners; capital goods led turnover at 469.3 million rupees.

Hayleys PLC's Team Hayleys won the Union Bank Mind Marathon 2026; Team CL Synergy finished second and Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) placed third.

The Colombo ASPI fell 2.54% for the week (S&P SL20 down 2.2%), wiping about Rs. 206 billion off market capitalisation. Major negative contributors were COMB, HAYL, JKH, WIND and SPEN, with turnover near Rs. 2.98 billion.

Aitken Spence PLC received SBTi validation for its emission reduction targets, becoming the first diversified holdings company in Sri Lanka to achieve this. The validation aligns the Group's decarbonisation pathway with science-based thresholds and supports its sustainability-driven investment and risk framework.

Aitken Spence PLC reported FY26 PBT of Rs. 12.8 billion (up 18%) and PAT of Rs. 9.1 billion (Rs. 6.8 billion attributable to equity holders); tourism accounted for 61% of Group PBT and overseas operations contributed 61% of profits.

Aitken Spence PLC posted FY26 PBT of Rs. 12.8 billion (up 18%) and PAT of Rs. 9.1 billion (up 27%). Tourism was the main driver—accounting for 61% of group contribution—overseas operations provided 61% of profits, and the group secured SBTi-validated emission reduction targets.

The Ceylon Chamber will host the Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 on 9 June in Colombo to focus on business climate readiness, investment readiness and unlocking climate finance. Participants include the Environment Minister, ADB, UN agencies, Commercial Bank CEO and Aitken Spence sustainability leadership.

Colombo bourse closed lower with the ASPI down 0.21% to 22,695 as investor sentiment remained subdued after the CBSL rate hike; market turnover was over Rs. 1.7 billion.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.50% to 22,309.23 midday Friday, with turnover Rs.240.5m and capital goods leading turnover at Rs.94.3m. Top movers included Access Engineering, Aitken Spence (declared Rs.4 tax-exempt dividend), Hemas and Central Finance while SMB Finance, Watawala, John Keells and Windforce fell.

Dividend · Rs 4.00 · XD Jul 1, 2026

First And Final dividend of LKR 4/share; XD 2026-07-01; record 2026-07-01; payable 2026-07-20; FY 2025/2026

Aitken Spence PLC’s printing subsidiary won the WorldStar 2026 Award for Luxury Packaging, becoming the first Sri Lankan offset printer to receive a WorldStar. The award, presented at Interpack in Düsseldorf, highlights the unit’s packaging innovation, sustainability and export capability.

Aitken Spence PLC's printing unit won the WorldStar 2026 Award for Luxury Packaging, the first Sri Lankan offset printer to win at WorldStar. The award was presented at the WorldStar ceremony in Düsseldorf during Interpack in May 2026.

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday, ASPI +0.54% to 22,294.71 with turnover Rs.700m and materials leading turnover at Rs.192.7m. Top movers included Hayleys, Sunshine and HNB (positive) while Royal Ceramics, SMB Finance and Aitken Spence fell; Jetwing Symphony declared a final dividend of Rs.0.50 and its shares rose 3.6%.

Sri Lanka shares fell, with the ASPI down 1.54% to 21,954.92 and the S&P SL20 down 1.28% to 6,069.81. Capital goods led turnover at 956.7 million rupees; banks including Sampath, Commercial Bank and DFCC weighed on the index while Union Chemicals, LOLC Finance and Aitken Spence gained.

John Keells Holdings chair Krishan Balendra will lead a 19-member Sri Lankan corporate delegation to Mumbai for the India–Sri Lanka Business Forum on 13 May to engage Indian counterparts on trade, investment and partnerships. Sri Lanka and India have also discussed a proposed $450m post-conflict reconstruction package.

Hapag-Lloyd Lanka, a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC, won two Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Customer Service Awards for the Europe and Mediterranean trades. The unit cited CRM implementation and extended working hours as drivers of improved customer engagement and operational performance.

The Ceylon Chamber will lead a senior corporate delegation to Mumbai for the India–Sri Lanka Business Forum on 13 May 2026, with leaders from John Keells, Aitken Spence, Hayleys, Sierra Cables and Vidullanka among participants to engage Indian investors on trade and investment opportunities.

Aitken Spence PLC is partnering with Oceanswell to present 'Into the Ocean’s Depths', a free two-night ocean storytelling event in Colombo on 9–10 May 2026. The event, organised with Aitken Spence Travels, features international marine scientists speaking on sharks, whales and the deep sea; pre-registration required.

Aitken Spence Elevators (Aitken Spence PLC) awarded NVQ Level 3 certificates to its latest elevator serviceman trainees, and all graduates have begun roles as technicians or supervisors at Aitken Spence Elevators.

Aitken Spence Travels (part of Aitken Spence PLC) was named Category Winner in Hospitality & Tourism Services and listed among Sri Lanka’s Top 40 at the CPM Best Management Practices Company Awards 2026. The recognition highlights its regenerative tourism focus and sustainability certifications (Travelife, GSTC, ISO) aligned with group governance.

Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) opened the 41st Colombo Shopping Festival — Avurudu Fair — at BMICH, running 8–12 April 2026 and featuring over 200 MSMEs and multiple top retail brands.

Sentido Heritance Negombo (Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings) marks its 10th anniversary with the 'Decade One' campaign. Opened in April 2016, the beachfront hotel highlights LEED and five-star credentials, Travelife Gold, a 5% reduction in CO2 per room night in 2025, community programmes and a new restaurant.

The SLID-KPMG Audit Committee Forum (9 Mar 2026) urged audit committees to oversee ESG reporting under SLFRS S1/S2; panellists from Aitken Spence, MAS, Lion Brewery and DFCC discussed governance, data controls, implementation and sustainable financing.

Aitken Spence PLC's travel arm, Aitken Spence Travels, has achieved Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, an internationally recognized sustainability benchmark. The company says the certification verifies sustainability practices across its operations and supply chain and aligns with the wider group’s strategy.