News & market updates

Cargills Bank PLC's public float rose to 49.84% as at 19 Feb 2026 from 39.14% at 31 Dec 2025 after Cargills (Ceylon) and CT Holdings sold a combined 10.05%. The Central Bank has directed the bank to meet staged capital targets (Rs16bn by 31-Mar-2027 to Rs20bn by 31-Dec-2029) and to cut the two shareholders' combined holding to 45% by Mar-2027, 35% by Mar-2028, 25% by Mar-2029 and 15% by Dec-2029.

John Keells Holdings’ John Keells Foundation marked International Women’s Day by highlighting programmes that have empowered hundreds of women—covering livelihoods, scholarships and a Rural BPO in partnership with Infomate—and noting beneficiaries now supply Keells Supermarket.

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS.N0000) has installed an extrusion line at its Avissawella BOI facility to roll out new Elephant House Wonder and IMORICH ice‑cream formats, enabling layered cores, premium coatings and new formats (cakes, logs, frozen sandwiches) to boost its product portfolio.

BOI will host the 'Invest in Sri Lanka' Forum on 30 March 2026 at Cinnamon Life to showcase sustainable, technology-driven and high-value investment opportunities. The forum highlights include a 70% renewable electricity target by 2030 and prospects across hospitality, logistics, manufacturing and digital infrastructure.

Colombo Stock Exchange, IFC and global partners rang the opening bell to advance women’s economic empowerment; women’s representation on CSE-listed boards rose to 13.7% from 13.4% year-on-year. The initiative highlights ongoing efforts to increase female leadership across Sri Lankan businesses.

The CSE fell, with the ASPI down 4.34% (1,032.15 points) for the week as index-heavy banking and diversified holdings stocks dragged the market. Foreign investors were net sellers (week net outflow Rs.791.2m); large declines came from JKH, HNB and SAMP while ACL, CINS and RAL saw heavy off‑board turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.58% to 22,701.91 and the S&P SL20 fell 1.01% to 6,360.75 on Friday amid profit-taking. Ceylinco Holdings was the top positive contributor (up 3.12%), while John Keells, Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank were among the top negatives.

Colombo Stock Exchange trended down midday, ASPI fell 0.68% to 22,678.41 and S&P SL20 fell 0.96% to 6,364.32, with turnover Rs 3.36bn and capital goods contributing Rs 1.075bn. Royal Ceramics announced an interim dividend of Rs 1 per share; Ceylinco led gains and John Keells was the top detractor.

John Keells CG Auto (part of John Keells) received 835 BYD ATTO 1 electric cars—the largest single consignment—some available for immediate delivery, expanding NEV availability amid strong BYD demand and market share gains in Sri Lanka.

Sunshine Holdings (CSE: SUN) launched OneHR HCM, a Group-wide Oracle-based people management platform, with an initial rollout to over 1,700 employees in its Healthcare and Consumer units to strengthen workforce governance and support future growth.

The ASPI rose 1.13% to 22,833.53 as Colombo stock market extended its rebound in a second session, with turnover near Rs.5.7bn and foreign net inflows of Rs.189.4m. Gains were led by John Keells, DFCC, NDB and Commercial Bank, with HNB Finance among top turnover contributors.

The ASPI rose 256.12 points (1.13%) to 22,833.53, with the S&P SL20 up 68.14 points to 6,425.80; heavyweight contributors included John Keells, DFCC Bank, NDB, Dialog Axiata and Commercial Bank, and turnover was Rs.5.68bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 1.13% to 22,833.53, led by gains in John Keells, DFCC and National Development Bank while Senkadagala Finance fell 10.66%. National Development Bank received CSE approval in principle to list Rs.16 billion of debentures at 11.50%, 11.04% and 11.85%.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams is offering two curated wellness experiences at Kurundu Wellness this March: a 90-minute "Celebrate Her – Moments Together" spa (available 8–15 Mar) and a "Spa Day Surprise" voucher valid for three months from purchase.

The ASPI rose 0.60% (134.03 pts) to 22,577.41 on bargain hunting after a prior session plunge, with turnover ~Rs.4.7bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.95.1m. Capital goods led turnover (Rs.1.5bn) while banking and diversified financials also drove gains.

Janashakthi Group reported group revenue of Rs. 21.9 billion and consolidated nine-month PAT of Rs. 3.2 billion for the period ended 31 Dec 2025. Revenue rose 19.2% YoY, total assets were Rs. 163 billion, with contributions from First Capital, Janashakthi Insurance and Janashakthi Finance.

ASPI plunged 1,290.68 points (-5.4%) to 22,443.38 on Feb 3 after Middle East tensions triggered panic selling and a 30-minute circuit breaker; the S&P SL20 fell 322.32 pts (-4.9%). Turnover was Rs.9.6bn (up 62.9%); foreign investors net sold Rs.59.6m; decliners included COMB, SAMP, HNB, JKH and HAYL, while LIOC, CFLB, BOPL, MRH and MADU were among gainers.

Fitch assigned a National Long-Term Rating of 'AAA(lka)' to Hayleys PLC’s proposed unsecured senior redeemable debentures of up to Rs. 7 billion. Fitch said the rating is in line with Hayleys’ national rating but noted subsidiary debt/EBITDA rose to 2.9x in 3QFY26 (vs a 2.5x threshold) and is expected to moderate.

Sierra Cables PLC posted nine-month revenue of Rs. 12 billion (up 68% y/y) and profit for the period of Rs. 2.1 billion (up 105%), with EPS rising to Rs. 3.88. The company, now a 2025 subsidiary of Browns Investments, expanded exports, earned UL 44 certification and retained a Fitch A+ (lka) rating.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.60% to 22,577.41 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.70% to 6,357.66; Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and C T Holdings were top positive contributors while Senkadagala Finance fell 24.98% after listing 4,313,992 ordinary voting shares.

Colombo Stock Exchange midday: ASPI rose 1.41% (317.14 pts) to 22,760.52 and S&P SL20 gained 1.29% to 6,394.97. Top contributors were Commercial Bank (+2.74% at Rs215.75), Sampath Bank (+2.60% at Rs158.00) and Hayleys (+2.82% at Rs236.75); Colombo Dockyard reported a Rs1.93bn loss for the Dec-2025 quarter (stock at Rs142.00).

Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection will host Indian mixologist Ami Shroff for a Signature Bar Takeover from 9–11 March 2026, with the main event on 10 March at Fuze Bar. A bartending training session for the resort team is scheduled for 11 March.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI plunged 1,290.68 points (5.44%) to 22,443.38 after trading reopened following the Middle East conflict, with the exchange briefly halting trade after the S&P SL20 fell over 5%. Major contributors included Commercial Bank (-11.5%), Hatton National Bank (-18%), Hayleys (-14.5%) and Sampath Bank (-6.75%).

Court of Appeal ruled Colombo Fort Land & Building PLC is a Holding Company for tax purposes, rejecting the IRD's attempt to tax its dividends as trading profits. The court held dividends/interest for holding companies fall under Section 3(e) and are not part of total statutory income under Section 63, limiting double taxation.

The Central Bank has directed Cargills Bank to meet interim capital targets (Rs.16.0bn by 31-Mar-2027; Rs.17.5bn by 31-Mar-2028; Rs.19.0bn by 31-Mar-2029; Rs.20.0bn by 31-Dec-2029) and to cut combined holdings of Cargills (Ceylon) and CT Holdings from current ~50.66% to 45% by Mar-2027, 35% by Mar-2028, 25% by Mar-2029 and 15% by Dec-2029.

Hayleys PLC’s proposed unsecured senior redeemable debentures of up to LKR7 billion were assigned a 'AAA(lka)' National Long-Term Rating by Fitch. Fitch noted subsidiary debt to consolidated EBITDA rose to 2.9x in 3QFY26, expects it to moderate to ~2.5x by FY27 and said failure could lower the debentures one notch.

LOLC Holdings MD/CEO Kapila Jayawardena was named CEO of the Year – Conglomerates at the Global CEO Forum 2025. The award recognises his role in steering LOLC’s expansion and institutional transformation across its diversified group.

Fitch assigned a 'AAA(lka)' National Long-Term Rating to Hayleys PLC's proposed unsecured senior redeemable debentures of up to LKR7 billion. Fitch noted subsidiary debt-to-consolidated-EBITDA rose to 2.9x in 3QFY26 (limit 2.5x) but expects it to moderate toward 2.5x in FY27, otherwise ratings risk.

Colombo stock market closed February lower: ASPI fell 47 points (0.2%) and the S&P SL20 dropped 74 points (>1%) with turnover of Rs.7 billion. Banks, conglomerates and blue-chips (COMB, JKH, HNB, CTC, LLUB) weighed on the index while Renuka Agri Foods rose and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.363.8m.

C T Holdings (CTHR.N0000) has appointed Indira Malwatta as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Malwatta has over 40 years' experience and currently serves on the boards of Samson International, Cargills and Kotmale.