News & market updates

Aitken Spence PLC's Conventions & Exhibitions unit inaugurated the 40th Colombo Shopping Festival at BMICH, running until 21 December with over 250 local entrepreneurs participating. Commercial Bank of Ceylon is the official banking partner and ticket proceeds will support families affected by recent disasters.

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.

Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetti told Parliament that 29,649 businesses have registered as Cyclone Ditwah-affected and damages for over 10,000 have been assessed. The government released Rs1bn, will pay Rs200,000 per reported business and offer 3% loans under an Rs80bn 2026 allocation.

Share split · 1:10 · XD Jan 22, 2026

ADB launched a $40 million emergency Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program facility to help Sri Lanka import food, medicines and relief supplies after Cyclone Ditwah. The funds, backed by Munich Re and Swiss Re, will be channeled through six partner banks for rapid delivery.

Maharaja Foods PLC: Dr. T. Senthilverl sold 10 million shares at Rs.13 to exit his holding, and Yaden Capital has acquired a 10% stake. Senthilverl held 12.676 million shares (10.14%) as at 30 Sept 2025 and was the second-largest shareholder.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.17% to 22,292.57 (down 37.12 points) with turnover of 2.3 billion rupees. Yaden raised its stake in Maharaja Foods to 10.04%; HNB will list debentures offering 10.25% and 11% on Dec 19; HDFC appointed K B Wijeyratne as chairman pro-tem; United Motors set a 10-for-1 share split date; JKH, CTC, BUKI and DFCC were top gainers.

Link Natural Products was awarded Best Exporter – Herbal & Ayurveda Products Category at the 27th Presidential Export Awards for the 2024/25 financial year. Its flagship product Link Samahan is sold in over 30 countries and in major international retail chains.

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC was named 'Best Exporter – Beverages' at the 27th Presidential Export Awards 2024/25, with its export arm reporting 64% year-on-year growth.

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI slipped 0.02% to 22,329.69 with turnover of Rs. 3.32 billion; top negatives were Commercial Bank, DFCC, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah and John Keells while Carson Cumberbatch, Browns Investments and LOLC Finance provided support.

Sri Lanka's 9-month real GDP for 2025 is estimated at 9,866 billion rupees, almost matching the 2021 level, while the central bank has maintained very low inflation and pursued deflationary policies to stabilise the rupee.

Cabinet approved milling and release of 49.5 million kilos of paddy purchased in the Yala season (procured for Rs. 5,949 million) into the domestic market. PMB stocks will be milled by PMB-registered private mills and distributed via Lak Sathosa and cooperative outlets, with the government considering concessional pricing and urging traders to keep staple rice prices reasonable.

One Galle Face celebrated Retail Employees Day (RED), becoming the first organisation in Sri Lanka to formally open the national chapter and honouring retail staff with gifts, games and recognition to reinforce employee well-being and engagement.

The Shoppes at City of Dreams Sri Lanka has opened its 8th floor, adding new dining, retail and pop-up outlets (including Queen Kuweni, Knuckles Valley, Thushara Batiks and Chamathka) and announcing upcoming stores such as Basilur, Mlesna and Rancrisp.

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.

Sri Lanka's Manufacturing PMI was 55.5 in November 2025, indicating expansion; Services PMI was 50.5, indicating a slower expansion. Manufacturing gains were driven by food & beverages and textiles/apparel, while accommodation, food & beverage and financial services supported services activity.

The Central Bank reported the Manufacturing PMI eased to 55.5 in November from 61 in October, while the Services PMI slowed to 50.5, indicating continued but moderating expansion. Manufacturing was broad-based (food & beverages, textiles); services growth was led by accommodation, F&B and financial services, with rising employment and new orders.

The Inland Revenue Department has deferred the implementation of the new VAT tax invoice format to 1 April 2026 (it had been due on 1 January 2026). The IRD said the revised timeline follows requests from many VAT-registered persons and an amendment to the Gazette will be issued.

ASPI fell 0.95% (213.49 pts) to 22,294.77, erasing Rs. 52.9bn of market value; top negative contributors were DOCK, CINS, COMB, CFIN and DFCC.

ADB upgraded Sri Lanka’s GDP growth forecasts for 2025–26, citing robust private-sector credit growth, stronger industry and services performance, and planned infrastructure investment. The report flagged Cyclone Ditwah risks and revised inflation forecasts downward.

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC mobilised A‑Pad rescue and volunteer teams during Kelani River floods in Biyagama—assisting evacuations, delivering food and clean water, clearing debris after water rose nearly 10 ft (~3 m)—and is planning a community stronghold to boost future flood resilience.

Aitken Spence PLC's Conventions & Exhibitions unit inaugurated the 40th Colombo Shopping Festival at BMICH, running 12–21 Dec 2025. Commercial Bank is the official banking partner while Browns EV and Nestlé are among other partners; over 250 local entrepreneurs are participating and ticket sales will aid disaster-affected families.

The Ministry launched the Industry Recovery Foster Program (IRFP) and Industry Development Foster Program (IDFP) to revive large-scale manufacturing hit by Cyclone Ditwah, with corporates including John Keells (JKH.N0000), Hemas (HHL.N0000), Brown & Company (BRWN.N0000) and Cargills (CARG.N0000) joining a PPP. The recovery framework will be operational within 30 days and 16,476 inquiries have been recorded to date.

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 market extended its rally to five sessions as the ASPI gained 1,011.18 pts (4.7%) for the week, reclaiming Rs.320.65 bn in market value; yesterday ASPI closed at 22,508.26 with turnover of Rs.3 bn. Top contributors included SFCL, JKH, HAYL, WIND and VLL; DOCK and HNB saw share price declines.

Vegolicious (Misa Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd.) launched High Protein Multi Grain Noodles, Pappadam, Pasta and Cookies, with the noodles providing 17.8g protein and 5g fibre per 100g. The products use pulse flours (mung bean, chickpea, red kidney bean, yellow split pea, red lentil) aimed at higher-protein, plant-based options.

Omega Line was named Exporter of the Year and Akbar Brothers was named Net Foreign Exchange Earner of the Year at the Presidential Export Awards. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC won awards for Contributor to Sustainable Development in Exports and Market Diversified Exporter of the Year.