News & market updates

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.

The ASPI fell 120 points (0.75%) to 15,842 as investors reacted to the ruling NPP's weaker-than-expected LG poll showing, with turnover of Rs. 3.2bn. Major drags included JKH, CINS, COMB, SPEN and SAMP while Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover (61%).

Sri Lanka stocks fell 0.76% after the NPP failed to secure a majority in local government polls, with the ASPI closing 119.99 points lower at 15,841.60. Blue-chip names and most banks led declines and buying interest was weak in export-oriented stocks.

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.

Aitken Spence PLC's Aitken Spence Travels has been recertified as Travelife Certified after meeting over 150 criteria. It remains the only Travelife-certified destination management company in Sri Lanka, underscoring its sustainability leadership.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI rose 56 points (0.35%) to 15,867 on turnover of Rs.2 billion with foreign net inflows of Rs.25.5m. Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Materials led turnover and gains while banking showed subdued sentiment.

The Sri Lanka–Italy Business Council and the Italian Embassy hosted a workshop on 'Winning & Retaining Italian Tourists' to discuss Italian traveller preferences and strategies to boost arrivals. Industry leaders and Italian agents discussed personalised itineraries, language issues and service standards to improve Sri Lanka's competitiveness.

Horana Plantations PLC's Neuchatel Estate (902 ha) has diversified into rubber, oil palm (124 ha), coconut and cinnamon, adopted digital weighing and secured EU Deforestation Regulation certification. The estate also runs community welfare, beekeeping and soil- and water-conservation initiatives that generate additional income.

Sajith Wijenayake of Aitken Spence Travels was re-elected President of the Sri Lanka–Benelux Business Council at its 29th AGM; speakers highlighted strengthening trade with the Benelux region and promoting renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and engagement with the EU Green Deal.

Aitken Spence PLC's 'Spensonians' team won the Union Bank Mind Marathon 2025; Hayleys PLC finished second and Ceylinco Life third.

The Sri Lanka–Benelux Business Council held its 29th AGM on March 26 and re-elected Sajith Wijenayake (Assistant VP, Aitken Spence Travels) as President. The council highlighted sustainable trade, engagement with the EU Green Deal and renewable energy, and re-elected committee members including John Keells Holdings PLC.

The 91st Battle of the Saints (the first-ever three-day Joe‑Pete encounter) will be played 3–5 April 2025 at the SSC Grounds, with the 51st One-Day on 26 April; sponsors include Keells (John Keells Holdings), Aitken Spence, HNB, Alliance Finance and Ceylon Cold Stores.

Aitken Spence Travels facilitated a Bulgaria Air charter flight that arrived in Colombo with 180 passengers, strengthening tourism links between Sri Lanka and Bulgaria and supporting prospects for more direct flights and charter services.

The ASPI fell about 211 points (1.35%) as the CSE opened lower on a selling spree with turnover of Rs.1.27 billion. Banking counters led the decline while capital goods and food & beverage drove turnover; major laggards included MELS, NDB and SAMP.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 15,645.30 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.52% to 4,662.66 as turnover fell to 1.27 billion rupees and volumes declined; top decliners included Melstacorp, NDB, Sampath Bank, DFCC and Aitken Spence.

ASPI rose 0.1% yesterday but is down 3.8% so far in March; turnover fell to Rs. 792.5m, led by Food, Beverage & Tobacco (28%), Banking (20%) and Capital Goods (18%). Agarapatana, Hayleys, Hemas and Sampath were among gainers while Bukit Darah, C T Holdings, Access Engineering and NDB were notable laggards.

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat with the ASPI at 15,860.44 (-0.70 pts) and the S&P SL20 at 4,737.61 (+0.14%); turnover fell to 1 billion rupees and there was a net foreign inflow of 90 million rupees. Top contributors to the ASPI included Aitken Spence, Sampath Bank, Hemas Holdings and Melstacorp.

Colombo market opened March down with ASPI -1.9% and S&P SL20 -2.1%, turnover Rs.1.5bn; profit-taking in banks (led by HNB, COMB, NDB) drove the fall while CTC, SPEN and AHUN were among top positive contributors; foreigners net sold Rs.127.4m.

Medicare 2025, Sri Lanka’s international healthcare exhibition, concluded at BMICH Colombo after three days with over 150 stalls and Asiri Hospital Holdings as the main sponsor. Organised by Asia Wellness Forum with Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions, gold sponsors included Nawaloka Hospitals and Melsta Hospitals and the event promoted medical tourism.

Medicare 2025, Sri Lanka’s international healthcare exhibition, opened at BMICH on Feb 28 and runs to Mar 2 with over 150 stalls; organisers include Asia Wellness Forum and Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions. Major local hospitals including Asiri, Nawaloka and Melsta Hospitals are participating and were recognised at the event.

Medicare 2025 opened at BMICH in Colombo with over 150 local and international exhibitors; lifetime awards were presented to Asiri Hospitals and Nawaloka Hospitals and the event is promoted as a platform to boost medical tourism and showcase healthcare innovations.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 0.72% as renewed buying interest lifted the market, led by financials and with tourism stocks in focus; turnover was Rs 1.6 billion and there was a net foreign outflow of Rs 123 million.

Aitken Spence PLC launched a flagship Disaster Risk Reduction programme and published a public 'Disaster Impact Map' on its website to boost resilience and disaster planning across its operations.

Aitken Spence PLC held its first flagship Disaster Risk Reduction programme and launched a public Disaster Impact Map on its website to boost resilience to landslides, floods, tsunamis, droughts and earthquakes. The event featured government and World Bank guests and aimed to integrate DRR into business strategy.

ASPI rose ~232 points (1.41%) to 16,578 as the Colombo market returned to positive territory with turnover of Rs.3.58bn. Ceylinco, Central Finance, Sampath, LOLC and NDB were top positive contributors while CTC, HNB and SPEN weighed on the index; Ambeon, JKH and Printcare also gained.

Aitken Spence PLC reported PBT of Rs.4.3bn for the nine months to 31 Dec 2024, up 124%. PBT excluding forex was Rs.4.9bn; tourism, maritime & freight (PBT Rs.3.3bn) and renewable/waste-to-energy performance were key drivers while a lower exchange rate materially affected results.

Aitken Spence PLC reported PBT of Rs. 4.3 Bn, a 124% increase for the nine months ended 31 Dec 2024. Group revenue rose 3% to Rs. 76.3 Bn and EBITDA (ex-forex) was Rs. 16 Bn, with tourism, maritime/logistics and renewable energy driving gains amid weaker exchange rates.

eChannelling PLC will be the Official Digital Healthcare Partner and Bronze Sponsor of Medicare 2025, held Feb 28–Mar 2, 2025 at BMICH, Colombo. The event is organized by Asia Wellness Forum together with Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions.