News & market updates

Aitken Spence PLC reported Profit Before Tax of Rs. 5.6 billion for the nine months to 31 Dec 2025, up 30% year-on-year. Group revenue was Rs. 67 billion and Profit After Tax rose 42% to Rs. 3.4 billion, with Tourism contributing 68% of revenue.

Aitken Spence PLC reported 9M PBT of Rs. 5.6 billion, a 30% increase year‑on‑year, and PAT up 42% to Rs. 3.4 billion for the nine months ended 31 Dec 2025. Tourism drove gains (PBT Rs.2.0b) while Maritime & Freight Logistics contributed Rs.3.3b; plantations, power and services also improved, offset by apparel losses.

Kala Pola 2026, presented with support from John Keells Holdings (JKH), showcased a record 487 artists and attracted 13,689 visitors on 8 Feb 2026. The John Keells Foundation led sponsorship and Nations Trust Bank (NTB) was the official banking partner, digitising event transactions.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams (Cinnamon Life) is offering 'The Spirit of Iftar' buffet at Quizine from 17 Feb to 17 Mar priced at LKR 10,500 nett per person. A Suhoor room-service menu will also be available and no non-Muslim items will be served during dinner service.

Hayleys PLC won the Gold Award for Overall Excellence in Corporate Reporting at CA Sri Lanka’s TAGS Awards Diamond Chapter; chairman Mohan Pandithage received the award from CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.

ASPI closed down 0.01% at 23,652.51 with turnover of LKR 4.8bn and net foreign outflow of LKR 42.7m. Banks led turnover (30%), food & beverage and capital goods together contributed 31%; top negatives were RICH, CFIN, JKH, RIL and AEL, while RAL saw net foreign buying and crossings were led by COCO, COMB and DOCK.

Sunshine Holdings reported 9MFY26 consolidated revenue up 8.1% to Rs. 48.9bn and EBIT up 1.2% to Rs. 7.5bn, while PAT fell 8.8% to Rs. 4.3bn. Healthcare remained the largest revenue driver but faced margin pressure from new pharma pricing, while agribusiness (Watawala) posted strong palm oil-led gains.

Kandy Myst by Cinnamon (operated by John Keells Hotels PLC) celebrated its first anniversary after opening on 12 February 2025, offering 215 rooms and becoming the first hotel in Kandy to receive LEED Gold certification.

The Colombo market ended marginally higher — ASPI +0.02% to 23,655.68 — on turnover of Rs.3.35 billion with foreign net outflows of Rs.64 million. Top positive contributors included NHL, CFIN, CARG, JKH and LLUB, while Samson International, UB Finance and Sierra Cables led turnover.

Sunshine Holdings (SUN) reported consolidated 9MFY26 revenue of LKR 48.9bn (+8.1% YoY), Group EBIT of LKR 7.5bn (+1.2% YoY) and PAT of LKR 4.3bn (-8.8% YoY). Healthcare remained the largest contributor with margin pressure from a new pricing mechanism, while Agribusiness (Watawala) delivered strong revenue and margin gains.

Fitch assigned Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC a first-time National Long-Term Rating of AA+(lka) with a Stable Outlook. Fitch cited strong parent support from Aitken Spence PLC and Melstacorp, but flagged high exposure to the Maldivian economy and rated proposed senior unsecured debentures AA(lka) up to Rs.5bn.

John Keells CG Auto and BYD opened Sri Lanka’s largest BYD‑dedicated body shop in Seeduwa, capable of accommodating over 100 vehicles simultaneously. The facility boosts collision repair capacity and turnaround for BYD and DENZA owners and forms part of BYD’s broader after‑sales expansion.

Sunshine Foundation for Good, the CSR arm of Sunshine Holdings PLC, distributed stationery vouchers to about 750 schoolchildren in Kelaniya, Kadawatha, Rathmalana, Modara and Mattakkuliya as part of its 2026 education support initiative. The program covered pupils from Grade 1 to Grade 11 at schools near Sunshine's operations and involved the group's leadership and business lines.

Hayleys PLC presented Haycarb PLC with the Overall Winner Award at the Hayleys Chairman’s Awards 2025 for its HCE 400 Series silicon‑carbon anode materials for lithium‑ion batteries. Hayleys Fabric PLC won the ESG Category Award for a smart energy‑saving system for stenter machines.

Dividend · Rs 0.60 · XD Feb 19, 2026

Second Interim dividend of LKR 0.6/share; XD 2026-02-19; record 2026-02-19; payable 2026-03-11; FY 31st March 2026

The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival will run 13–15 Feb 2026 at Cinnamon Lakeside with 45+ speakers and free public programming. The Art Exhibit is in association with the John Keells Foundation and Cinnamon Lakeside is the venue and hospitality partner.

Hayleys Group held its Chairman’s Awards 2025, naming Haycarb PLC the Overall Winner for its specialty activated carbon for silicon‑carbon anodes for lithium‑ion batteries. Hayleys Fabric PLC won an ESG award for a Smart Energy Saving System (avoiding 159,600 kg CO₂e per machine annually) and group projects in coconut processing and logistics were also recognised.

Colombo market opened in red as the ASPI fell 0.20% to 23,754.26 amid foreign net selling of Rs. 1.4 billion. Top negatives were JKH, SFCL, DOCK, TKYO and CARG, while LMF led food & beverage turnover and gained 9.08%.

Roar Global, a mar-tech venture builder, has grown to six portfolio businesses, 150+ staff and over $30m in group revenues and has completed a strategic buyback of early investors' shares as it transitions into a diversified holding company focused on specialised marketing and AI-driven platforms.

Milford Exports Ceylon Ltd. increased its stake in Melstacorp PLC by 1 million shares at Rs.179 each, raising ownership from 42.80% to 42.88%.

Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS) marked 160 years for its Elephant House brand, highlighting continued focus on innovation, sustainability and long-term growth. CCS, part of the John Keells consumer foods sector, said it will prioritise portfolio expansion, product reinvention, digitalisation and operational efficiency.