News & market updates

Exhibitor registration for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is open until 31 July 2026. The expo runs 14–17 Jan 2027 at BMICH with 650 booths across 25 sectors and offers opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers.

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.

Frontier Research said easing Eurozone inflation and lower oil prices could narrow Sri Lanka's fuel import bill, ease inflationary pressures and reduce depreciation pressure on the rupee. It notes Eurozone headline inflation fell to 2.8% in June and markets expect the ECB to keep rates on hold, though risks from the Middle East and food prices remain.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board has kept online exhibitor registration for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 open until 31 July 2026. The expo will run 14–17 January 2027 at BMICH with 650 booths and opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers across 25 sectors.

Singer (SINS.N0000) has partnered with India's Stanley Lifestyles to open a Stanley Boutique Homes flagship showroom in Ward Place, Colombo, introducing Stanley's luxury furniture range to Sri Lanka and expanding Singer's premium retail offerings.

Colombo market opened deep in the red: ASPI fell 0.44% (98.08 pts) to 22,080.65 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.44% as foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 315.8m. Main negatives included Ceylinco, HNB, RIL and Central Finance; utilities (led by Windforce), capital goods and banking led turnover.

UK Trade Envoy Lord Hannett visited The Body Shop's One Galle Face Mall store in Colombo during a 17-19 June mission to strengthen trade ties and discuss export opportunities under the UK's DCTS; he toured the store and its Return, Recycle, Repeat recycling initiative.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka hosted CATALYZE 2026: Environment, a two-day forum on corporate environmental sustainability; Sampath Bank was main partner and listed firms including Dilmah, Teejay Lanka, Hayleys, Talawakelle, Commercial Bank and Kelani Valley participated as partners or patrons.

New Anthoney's is promoting its antibiotic-free Harithahari chicken to tackle antimicrobial resistance and position for export as Sri Lanka consumes about 258,000 metric tonnes of chicken annually. The company has an MoU with the University of Peradeniya and uses strict biosecurity protocols to support its antibiotic-free certification.

Pepsi Street Kala returned for its second edition on 4 July 2026 at Excel World, Colombo, organised by Pepsi®/Varun Beverages, showcasing Sri Lankan art, music and food and drawing thousands of visitors.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.38% to 22,093.51 on Monday with turnover of 1.35 billion rupees. Negative contributors included HNB (down to 396.75) and Dialog Axiata (45.50), while Lion Brewery (1,834) and Haycarb (160.50) led gains.

Daraz Sri Lanka launches its 7.7 Super Savings Sale from 6 July (8 PM) to 17 July, offering vouchers worth Rs. 50 million, free delivery and discounts up to 80%. Brand partners include Hemas, and Commercial Bank and NTB cardholders get extra discounts during Brand Rush Hour and the campaign.

Singer Sri Lanka (SINS.N0000) has partnered with India's Stanley Lifestyles to enter Sri Lanka and opened a flagship Stanley Boutique Homes showroom in Colombo 7, bringing the luxury furniture brand to the local market.

Atlas launched Sri Lanka's first SLS-certified water bottle, obtaining SLS certification for a children's plastic water bottle to assure safety, quality and reliability for parents.

Maharaja Foods PLC appointed Imran Furkan as chairman and added Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake as an independent non-executive director. Former chairman Guganathan Vijayananth becomes an executive non-independent director focusing on retail expansion while Vithyanath Guganathan remains managing director.

Health Ministry tightened front-of-pack sugar labelling for beverages: red logo now required for >8g sugar/100ml (down from 11g), amber covers 2.5–8g/100ml and green <2.5g/100ml; alternative symbol display options introduced.

Colombo market extended losses as the ASPI fell 1.03% for the week to 22,178.73 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.85% to 6,194.22. Market turnover topped Rs.1.5bn with foreigners net sellers of Rs.157.9m and notable moves from SAMP, CINS, JKH, RCL (weak) and DIAL, BUKI, CARS, AEL, COMB (positive/active).

Sri Lanka Customs collected 225.2 billion rupees in June 2026, 22% above its target, and first-half revenue rose 29.5% year‑on‑year to 1,373.8 billion rupees. Officials credited stronger enforcement, improved valuation practices, a rebound in import volumes and currency movements for the increase.

Softlogic Holdings has raised 2.03 billion rupees of a targeted 10 billion-rupee equity raise and sold Odel's Koswatta land for about 1.5 billion rupees as part of a restructuring after both Softlogic and Odel were placed on the Colombo Stock Exchange Watchlist. Odel restructured 90% of bank facilities, converted a 3.2 billion-rupee intercompany loan to equity and scaled down the Odel Mall project to 6.28 billion rupees.

Maharaja Foods PLC appointed Imran Furkan as Chairman and Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake as an Independent Non‑Executive Director; former Chairman Guganathan Vijayananth becomes Executive Non‑Independent Director focusing on retail expansion. The Board said the changes aim to strengthen governance and support the Group's next phase of growth.

Colombo market fell for a third session as the ASPI dropped 0.10% (21.79 pts) to 22,221.91 on heavy foreign net selling of Rs. 774.2 million. Top negative contributors included SPEN, SAMP, DFCC, CTC and CINS while CARG, DIAL, JKH and MELS supported the index; capital goods led turnover (55%).

Maharaja Foods (MFPE) appointed Imran Furkan as Chairman and added Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake as an Independent Non‑Executive Director. Vijayananth Guganathan moves to Executive Non‑Independent Director to focus on retail expansion while Vithyanath Guganathan remains Managing Director.

Beliatta Exim Holdings (Pvt) Ltd won the "Best Emerging Exporter" award at the Global Synergy Awards 2026. The company, which produces a range of Sri Lankan food products and operates an international branch in Japan, has expanded into retail with a mini supermarket in Ratmalana.

ASUS Sri Lanka opened its third exclusive store in Galle — the brand's first in the Southern Province — offering its laptop ranges (ROG, TUF, ProArt, Zenbook, Vivobook) and the ASUS 4A Guarantee for after-sales support and warranty coverage.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.19% (43.18 points) to 22,178.73 on turnover of Rs.1.54 billion. Asia Asset Finance announced GM and rights timetable and Associated Motor Finance said its merger with L B Finance will become effective by 31 July 2026.

ISSO – Prawn Crazy opened a 90-seat flagship in Canary Wharf, London, importing Lion Beer and Lion Stout from Sri Lanka for its launch. The concept pairs automated kitchen tech with a vertically integrated cold chain sourcing export-grade prawns from 150+ artisanal fishermen.

Coca-Cola returns as the official soft drink of FIFA World Cup 2026, extending a nearly 50-year partnership and marking its 140th anniversary. The global "Feel it all" campaign and trophy tour include regional activations for Sri Lanka, where fans will follow matches in the early hours.

TikTok unveiled Symphony Agent at Cannes Lions 2026, an agentic AI for creating TikTok-first campaigns that combines audience insights, trend data and creator sourcing to produce ads at scale. The tool, available in South Asia via Symphony Creative Studio, includes AI labels, invisible watermarks and content moderation.