News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday with the ASPI +0.05% at 22,631.02 and S&P SL20 +0.22% at 6,243.14. Top contributors included Sampath, Commercial Bank and Ceylon Guardian, while Vallibel One and Janashakthi lagged; turnover was Rs2.2bn and Singer agreed to buy ACME's Piliyandala factory for Rs630mn.

Singer (Sri Lanka) agreed to buy ACME Printing and Packaging's Piliyandala factory for Rs630 million to expand its local manufacturing. ACME said the sale is part of its restructuring; Singer reported a 47% rise in December-quarter profits to Rs2.1 billion.

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.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, ASPI +0.07% to 22,635, with diversified financials leading turnover (Rs 1.98bn) helped by the debut of Janashakthi; total market turnover was Rs 4.19bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.28% to 22,676.60 midday, led by gains in ACL Cables, Commercial Bank and John Keells. Capital goods led turnover with ACL contributing 91.8 million rupees, and National Development Bank said INED Shanil Fernando resigned effective April 27.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat as the ASPI rose 0.03% to 22,620.15. Top positive contributors were Commercial Bank, John Keells and ACL Cables while DFCC and Central Finance lagged; Janashakthi (JXG) is set to start trading on April 29 with 2.3 billion shares.

The ASPI rose 0.20% (44.68 pts) to 22,612.31 as foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 242.25m; market turnover was nearly Rs. 3bn on 141m shares. Gains were led by CINS, DIAL, SAMP, CARS and DFCC, with food, beverage & tobacco leading turnover (25%) and capital goods plus real estate adding 25%.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index rose 0.20% to 22,612 as retail-driven activity lifted the market. Listed energy firm WindForce said it entered a loan agreement with IFC to obtain up to $18 million in two phases.

Browns Beach Hotels PLC will cease trading on the CSE today (27) ahead of formal delisting, with majority shareholders Melstacorp (MELS.N0000) and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings (AHUN.N0000) offering minority shareholders LKR 30.00 per share. The delisting follows sustained losses, failure to meet public float rules and a negative net asset position.

Hayleys Mobility, part of the Hayleys group, served as the Official Automobile Partner for the President’s Trophy Inter-School Knockout Final, sponsoring the schools rugby final at Sugathadasa Stadium. Trinity College defeated Royal College in the match.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher with the ASPI up 0.11% to 22,592 and the S&P SL20 up 0.13% to 6,212 on turnover of Rs 799 million. Sampath Bank and John Keells were among top gainers while NDB, Access Engineering and LB Finance led declines; Browns Beach Hotels to delist with trading suspended from April 28.

Colombo bourse fell 0.9% for the week (ASPI down 205.7 pts) with year-to-date net foreign outflows reaching Rs. 24.9 billion. CINS, CTC, COMB, JKH and MELS were top positive contributors; market turnover exceeded Rs. 2 billion with capital goods, food/beverage/tobacco and banking leading activity.

The Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.32% (73.23 pts) to 22,566.58, with foreign investors a thin net buyer of Rs. 3.4m. Top negatives included Bukit Darah, Ceylon Beverage, RIL Property and Sampath; turnover was led by food & beverage while Ceylon Cold Stores and Nawaloka gained and Access Engineering and Softlogic Capital fell.

Hayleys Fentons Limited was named among the Top 40 Outstanding Companies at the Best Management Practices Company Awards 2026, winning multiple awards including Winner in Power & Energy – Renewable and in Construction and Project Engineering; the business is part of the Hayleys group.

The EPF's listed equity portfolio rose 27% to Rs. 188.85 billion at end-2025. The fund cut holdings from 65 to 59, fully exited six counters (Cargills Bank, Ceylon Hotels, Colombo Dockyard, Jetwing Symphony, LAUGFS Gas, Sierra Cables) and added Hemas (40m shares); gains were led by banks and diversified stocks.

Colombo market ended marginally higher as the ASPI rose 0.06% to 22,639.81 despite net foreign selling of Rs.2.52 billion. Softlogic Life (AAIC) and Ceylon Tobacco (CTC) topped foreign selling and AAIC led turnover with a ~Rs.1.3bn crossing; insurance, food & banking dominated activity.

Hayleys PLC's rights issue was oversubscribed, receiving applications for 55,243,312 shares totaling Rs.11,048,662,400 versus 45,000,000 shares offered (target Rs.9,000,000,000). Proceeds will fund new investments and part-settle existing debt.

Hayleys PLC said its Rs.9 billion rights issue was oversubscribed, receiving subscriptions for 55,243,312 shares totaling Rs.11,048,662,400. The company noted the disclosure is subject to cheque realisations, bank confirmations and other verifications.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) installed an 80 kW AC solar power system at Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya in Anuradhapura. The project, done with Manusath Derana and donors led by Ms. Kumuduni Abeysiriwardena, is intended to meet the temple's energy needs and cut long-term costs.

Colombo stocks rose 0.25% as foreign investors turned net buyers after a 21-session selling streak, recording a net inflow of Rs. 19.8 million and lifting the ASPI 55.45 points to 22,625.48. Top contributors included CINS, BUKI, CFIN, MELS and NHL, while consumer services led turnover and oil price moderation supported sentiment.

CIC Holdings PLC has partnered with OrphanCare Trust to support orphans transitioning out of institutional care; OrphanCare has enrolled over 3,200 orphans from 90+ child care homes. Amana Bank is the founding sponsor and covers administrative and operational costs so donations reach beneficiaries.

Rights issue · 3:50 at Rs 200.00 · XD Mar 18, 2026

EPF fully exited holdings in six CSE-listed companies in 2025 — Cargills Bank, Ceylon Hotels, Colombo Dockyard, Jetwing Symphony, LAUGFS Gas and Sierra Cables — and made one new investment, buying 40 million shares in Hemas Holdings; its listed equity count fell from 65 to 59.

Softlogic Life reported Rs.40 billion Gross Written Premium by end-2025 (27% YoY growth) and a record January 2026 new business of over Rs.1.5 billion, while integrating the Allianz Life business and positioning for further growth in 2026.

The ASPI fell 0.89% (203.26 pts) to 22,570.03 as Middle East tensions and higher global oil prices weighed on the Colombo bourse. RIL Property, C T Holdings, Commercial Bank and Browns Investments were among top negative contributors while Hikkaduwa Beach Resort and other tourism counters saw notable retail turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange slipped 0.39% midday to an ASPI of 22,684.52 as investors were unsettled by evolving Middle East tensions. John Keells Holdings and Central Finance were top negative contributors; Windforce announced intra-group transfer of three subsidiaries to Renewgen and its stock was down 0.84% at Rs.47.00.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down with the ASPI down 0.89% to 22,570.03 and the S&P SL20 down 0.66% to 6,222.79. Asiri Hospital (+12.37%), Melstacorp and Carson Cumberbatch led gains while RIL (-5.92%), C T Holdings and Dialog were top decliners; turnover Rs 4.11bn.

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.

Dhammika Fernando was re-elected chairman of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association for 2026/2027 and urged policy reforms, faster approvals and improved ease of doing business to support exporters and sustain investment and employment.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as the ASPI rose 0.82% to 22,773.29 on Apr 17, 2026, led by gains in Central Finance (+5.83%), Hemas (+5.06%), Hayleys (+2.17%) and C T Holdings (+4.14%); NDB (-2.11%), HNB (-0.54%) and Commercial Bank (-0.47%) were top decliners.