News & market updates

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.

Deputy Minister of Tourism says Sri Lanka must reposition to capture more of India's outbound travel—only about 531,000 of 32.7 million Indians travelling overseas in 2025 visited Sri Lanka. He highlighted AI/digital trends reshaping demand and flagged agriculture, marine and the creative economy as growth areas.

Hayleys PLC co-chair Dhammika Perera subscribed for 22.95 million shares at Rs.200 in Hayleys' Rs.9 billion rights issue, investing Rs.4.6 billion to strengthen the group's balance sheet and partially settle debt. He holds a 51% stake in the company.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 1.13% as the ASPI rose 258.09 points to 22,997 with turnover of Rs 5.28 billion and materials leading turnover (Rs 1.38bn). SMB Finance announced CEO Supul Chamikara Wijesinghe will resign effective June 3.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI rose 1.09% to 22,985 by midday, with market turnover at Rs 3.7 billion and the S&P SL20 up 0.80%. Top contributors were Central Finance Company, John Keells Holdings, Royal Ceramics Lanka and RIL Property, with the materials sector leading turnover at Rs 1.069 billion.

Colombo bourse rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.69% (155.47 pts) to 22,739.77 after Middle East developments pushed oil below $100, with turnover over Rs. 4.1bn and net foreign inflow of Rs. 62.4m. JKH, MELS and RIL were among top positive contributors while LIOC fell and REEF gained.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 0.69% to 22,739 and S&P SL20 gained 0.51% to 6,245, with John Keells, Melstacorp and Hayleys among top positive contributors and DFCC, Lion Brewery and CDB leading declines; market turnover was Rs.4.13bn.

ASPI fell 0.49% (110.70 pts) to 22,584.30 as Middle East tensions dented sentiment; turnover was over Rs.2.1bn and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.42m. CINS, CTHR, HHL and SAMP were top negative contributors while COMB, LFIN, PKME, ACL, REEF, GRAN and JKH featured among active names.

ASPI rose 155.47 points (0.69%) to 22,739.77 while the S&P SL20 gained 31.89 points (0.51%) to 6,245.13. Gains were led by John Keells, HNB, Melstacorp and R I L Property; turnover was Rs.4.13bn with domestic investors 97.3% and a net foreign inflow of Rs.62.4m, led by high activity in Citrus Leisure and Janashakthi Insurance.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.72% (162.12 pts) to 22,746 and the S&P SL20 was up 0.51% to 6,244, with turnover of 2 billion rupees. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp and Lanka Realty while DFCC and Carson Cumberbatch lagged; Equity Two declared a 4.41 rupee dividend.

CSE All Share Index fell 0.49% (110.70 pts) to 22,584 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.31% to 6,225 as brokers said Middle East escalation spurred retail selling. Bank counters saw selling, turnover was Rs 2.15bn with crossings in JKH, COMB, LLUB and LFIN, and Colombo Dockyard narrowed its quarterly loss to Rs 428.1m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 101.59 points (0.45%) to 22,593 as the Colombo Stock Exchange trended down. Melstacorp, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Dialog Axiata were top positive contributors while Hayleys and Sampath Bank were among the top negatives; market turnover was Rs.1.5bn and a merchant bank announced a Rs.999.12mn rights issue.

Melstacorp Plc and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings are offering to buy minority shares of Browns Beach Hotels at LKR 30 per share ahead of the company's planned delisting from the Colombo Stock Exchange. The acceptance period runs from May 5 to June 5; Browns Beach cited sustained tourism-related losses since 2019.

Melstacorp PLC's wholly owned subsidiary Mels Automobiles has been appointed the authorised importer, dealer and after-sales provider for BMW vehicles in Sri Lanka, responsible for importation, sales, genuine parts supply and service.

Melstacorp (MELS.N0000) and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings (AHUN.N0000) opened an unconditional Rs.30-per-share exit offer today for minority shares in Browns Beach Hotels PLC ahead of its planned CSE delisting; the offer closes on 5 June with settlement by 12 June.

ASPI rose 0.65% (145.47 pts) to 22,695.00 while the S&P SL20 gained 0.6% to 6,244.64. Market turnover exceeded Rs. 4.8bn with Ceylon Tobacco Company dominating turnover (Rs. 2.4bn) even as foreign investors were net sellers, extending YTD foreign outflows to Rs. 27.6bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher Monday with the ASPI up 0.65% at 22,695.00 and turnover of 4.81 billion rupees, driven by buying in banking counters. Top contributors included NDB, Dialog, Melstacorp and Colombo Dockyard, while Ceylinco Insurance and Windforce were among decliners.

Melstacorp PLC’s fully owned subsidiary Mels Automobiles has been appointed authorised importer and dealer for BMW in Sri Lanka, responsible for importation, sales, genuine parts supply and authorised aftersales/service. Prestige Automobiles will continue to serve BMW customers during the transition.

Dipped Products PLC launched 'DPL EasyPay', a digitised procurement system connecting 4,500+ latex farmers and 40+ agents, enabling 50% instant payments at collection and saving ~6,200 man-hours monthly. The offline-capable platform adds QR traceability, biometric validation and SAP integration and is shortlisted for a digital impact award.

KPMG Sri Lanka Academy will host a webinar on 5 May to explain recent tax reforms — including the Social Security Contribution Levy Act, the VAT (Amendment) Bill, expanded withholding taxes and higher capital gains tax — and their compliance implications for businesses and individuals.

Colombo posted its biggest monthly gain since July 2025, with the ASPI up 7% and the S&P SL20 up 5.1% in April, with average daily turnover of Rs.3.66bn. Yesterday the indices fell (ASPI -0.38% to 22,550) on losses in John Keells, Sampath and Commercial Bank amid net foreign outflows of Rs.75mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.37% to 22,552.24 midday, with plantations (Watawala, Sunshine, Namunukula among others) leading gains while John Keells, Sampath and Commercial Bank weighed on the index. Market turnover was Rs2bn; Abans Finance completed a debenture issue to raise Rs1.33bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower with the ASPI down 0.38% to 22,549.53 and market turnover at 3.44 billion rupees; capital goods led turnover (984.6 million). Lion Brewery and Watawala Plantations were top positive contributors while Dialog Axiata, John Keells and Commercial Bank were top negatives; Brent rose above $113.

Colombo market closed in the green for a fourth straight session as the ASPI rose 0.07% to 22,635 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.18% to 6,241.01; turnover was about Rs.4.2bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.332.5m. CINS, BREW and JKH were among top contributors while diversified financials and banks led turnover.