News & market updates

John Keells CG Auto (part of John Keells) says BYD is now the number one brand in Sri Lanka's brand-new vehicle segment, taking ~37% of brand-new registrations and over 70% of cumulative EV registrations since imports resumed; the group is expanding showrooms and opening a major after-sales centre in Wattala.

Verteil Technologies launched in Sri Lanka and appointed Mack Air (a John Keells Group company) as its General Sales Agent to drive NDC adoption and modern airline retailing. The launch (Jan 22, 2026) aims to give local travel sellers access to Verteil’s NDC aggregator and training/support for airlines and agents.

Aitken Spence PLC served as sustainability partner for the Sri Lanka Air Force’s “Clean Today, Green Tomorrow” initiative, supporting waste management, tree planting, eco-gardening and conservation across SLAF establishments during its 75th anniversary.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon signed an MoU with Hayleys Fentons/Hayleys Mobility to promote New Energy Vehicles and offer leasing solutions via a joint campaign running until 30 November 2026. The bank will provide competitive rates, concessions and flexible repayment options while Hayleys supplies warranties, after-sales support and EV charging access.

John Keells Holdings (JKH) reported 3Q EBITDA of Rs. 23.76 billion, up 68%, and declared a second interim dividend of Rs. 0.10 (Rs. 1.77 billion outlay). Group revenue rose 54% to Rs. 125.05 billion and PBT increased 113% to Rs. 12.89 billion.

John Keells Holdings reported Group EBITDA up 68% year-on-year to Rs.23.76 billion in Q3. Nine-month EBITDA rose 84% to Rs.55.10 billion, profit attributable was Rs.6.48 billion, City of Dreams and the Colombo West terminal are ramping up, and a second interim dividend of Rs.0.10/share was declared.

Samsung Sri Lanka was awarded Superbrands Sri Lanka’s Choice 2025, highlighting strong consumer trust and brand leadership; the article notes Samsung’s island-wide distributor network includes Singer and Softlogic, and emphasizes its SmartThings ecosystem and payment-plan partnerships.

The ASPI closed at 23,992.11, up 0.13% (31.95 pts) after hitting an intraday high of 24,068.22, with turnover over Rs.6.9bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.480.2m. Capital goods led turnover (Rs.1.91bn) with John Keells and ACL Cables among top contributors while market breadth remained weak.

Dividend · Rs 0.10 · XD Feb 9, 2026

Second Interim dividend of LKR 0.1/share; XD 2026-02-09; record 2026-02-09; payable 2026-02-26; FY 2025/2026

Softlogic Holdings PLC appointed Chandana De Silva as Country Head of Sabre Sri Lanka, its subsidiary and joint venture with Sabre. De Silva brings over 30 years' aviation experience with senior roles at SriLankan Airlines and Emirates, focused on commercial strategy and tourism partnerships.

Hemas Holdings has received Competition Authority of Kenya approval for its proposed acquisition of a majority equity stake in a Kenyan consumer products company (Share Sale and Purchase Agreement dated 25 Sep 2025). The deal remains subject to remaining conditions precedent, including Central Bank of Sri Lanka approval, and Hemas will update the Colombo Stock Exchange.

John Keells Holdings, Hemas Holdings and JAT Holdings outlined growth strategies at First Capital's investor symposium; JKH highlighted City of Dreams and West Container Terminal Phase One at ~90% utilisation. Hemas sees consumers shifting back to branded quality and demographic-led convenience growth, while JAT targets post-cyclone reconstruction and manufacturing expansion.

Hayleys Mobility (part of Hayleys PLC) unveiled OJ (OMODA & JAECOO) as its exclusive distributor in Sri Lanka on 27 Jan 2026, launching a portfolio of PHEV, HEV, ICE and EV models with manufacturer-backed warranties and nationwide after-sales support. It also announced SRM commercial EVs and EV charging partnerships with StarCharge to build a nationwide charging network.

The India Cup 2026 golf tournament was held at the Royal Colombo Golf Club on 23 January 2026 with a record number of participants. Event sponsors included Lanka Ashok Leyland, Lanka IOC, Carson Cumberbatch and Tal Lanka Hotels.

John Keells CG Auto says BYD is the number one brand in Sri Lanka's brand-new vehicle segment, taking about 37% of brand-new registrations and over 70% of cumulative EV registrations since imports resumed; the distributor is expanding showrooms and after-sales capacity (new Wattala service centre, Seeduwa body shop) to support growth.

ASPI ended marginally up at 23,960.16 (+0.03%) on turnover of over Rs.5.2bn. Capital goods led turnover (31%) driven by Colombo Dockyard and John Keells, while diversified financials and banks contributed 21% and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.128.2m.

John Keells Holdings chairman Krishan Balendra said the private-sector Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund has mobilised Rs. 4.2 billion and urged resilience- and community-focused investment. Experts called for a shift from reactive disaster response to risk-informed development, including spatial planning and early warning systems.

Ambeon Capital's subsidiary Ambeon Essentials signed an agreement to acquire a 51.11% controlling stake in Harischandra Mills (price undisclosed). Harischandra shares jumped Rs.1,396 (25%) to Rs.6,982 after the announcement.

C M Holdings agreed to sell a Thalangama South property to Vogue Real Estate for Rs. 260 million, with Rs. 26 million paid as advance and the remaining Rs. 234 million due on or before 31 March 2026.

The Colombo market hit an intraday record of 24,052.06 but closed flat, with the ASPI down 0.01% at 23,953.09 and the S&P SL20 up 0.20% at 6,663.12. Turnover was over Rs.5.4bn; York jumped 24.81% while SAMP, RICH, DFCC, CTHR and CARG were top negative contributors.

Mabroc Teas (part of Hayleys Group) launched TeaTrace, a QR-linked digital traceability platform providing batch-level supply-chain visibility to meet European ESG and sourcing requirements. Hayleys says the platform aligns with its digital transformation and sustainability priorities and will be expanded to other markets.

Darley Butler bought 15 million York Arcade shares for Rs.198 million, raising its holding to 15.9m shares (10.6%). Darley Butler is a subsidiary of E.B. Creasy (EBCR); Lankem Ceylon (LCEY) holds a 50.15% controlling stake after buying from Colombo Fort Land & Building (CFLB).

Lee Hedges PLC appointed Hisham Jamaldeen and Archie Warman as Non-Independent Executive Directors. Both have 20+ years in corporate finance and real estate and hold directorships at On'ally Holdings and Lanka Realty Investments; Jamaldeen has also served at Hayleys PLC.

Hayleys-owned Mabroc Teas has launched TeaTrace, a QR-linked digital traceability platform providing batch-level visibility from estate to retail to meet European ESG and sourcing demands. The platform, unveiled at Anuga 2025, is intended to support compliance, sustainability verification and market access.

Colombo bourse hit a new year high as the ASPI rose 142.74 pts (0.60%) to 23,956.51, about 43.49 pts shy of 24,000. Top contributors were LOLC, DOCK, COMB, BIL and MELS, with turnover ~Rs 10.5bn and net foreign selling of Rs 82.1m.