News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 1.47% to 22,644 as profit taking continued, with the ASPI down 338.72 points and the S&P SL20 down 1.21% to 6,287.81; turnover was 4.95 billion rupees. Top negatives included HNB, NDB, Sampath Bank and John Keells Holdings.

Richard Pieris Finance Ltd said it is forging ahead with resilience and growth, citing steady profitability, portfolio diversification, digital transformation, a new Sarumaga mortgage product and a Fitch 'A(lka) Outlook Stable' rating.

Union Bank hosted a panel discussion on sustainable finance covering climate finance, digital economy transition, women’s financing and social entrepreneurship. Hayleys PLC's Group Treasury head Sriyamal Gamage participated as a panelist.

Softlogic Holdings said the SEC has deferred suspension of trading in its shares until 31 December, allowing its securities to continue trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The group reported a Rs.3.1 billion consolidated loss for six months to 30 Sep, negative revenue reserves of Rs.87 billion and a net liability per share of Rs.44.78 as of end-September 2025.

The Colombo bourse fell, with the ASPI down 0.53% to 22,982.72 (slipping below 23,000) and the S&P SL20 down 0.28% to 6,364.61. Foreigners were net sellers (Rs.163.8m yesterday; Rs.461.8m net outflow for the week); Bukit Darah and Ambeon were among decliners while Renuka Agri and Access Engineering drew buying interest.

Softlogic Holdings said trading of its shares will continue uninterrupted until December 31 after the Securities & Exchange Commission deferred a suspension that was due to take effect on December 1. The shares were placed on the exchange watch list in Nov 2023 and Apr 2024 over auditors' going-concern emphasis of matter.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Friday — ASPI down 0.53% to 22,982.72 and S&P SL20 down 0.28% to 6,364.61; turnover was Rs3.81bn led by food, beverage & tobacco, with HNB, Bukit Darah, Ambeon Holdings and Senkadagala Finance among top negative contributors.

Elephant House Ice Cream (Ceylon Cold Stores) was crowned Brand of the Year at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2025 on 13 November, also winning Gold for Product Brand of the Year and Silver for Local Brand of the Year. John Keells said the awards reflect its consumer-focused investments and brand-strengthening efforts.

Richard Pieris Finance Limited reports steady growth and a Fitch credit rating of 'A(lka) Outlook Stable', and is pursuing digital transformation and product expansion including gold loans and the Sarumaga mortgage solution.

Union Bank held a panel on sustainable finance covering climate finance, digital economy transition, women financing and social entrepreneurship, with Hayleys PLC represented on the panel by its Group Treasury representative.

Janashakthi Group reported consolidated 1H FY26 net profit of Rs. 3.4 billion and revenue of Rs. 15.8 billion (up 43.6% YoY). Subsidiaries First Capital, Janashakthi Insurance and Janashakthi Finance delivered strong NPAT and portfolio growth driven by investment-banking, underwriting and leasing activity.

Colombo Bourse closed higher as ASPI rose 0.33% (75.10 pts) to 23,104.96 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.32% to 6,382.18 on turnover of Rs.3.49 billion, with foreign investors net selling Rs.40.9m. Sampath, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah, John Keells and Carson were key positive contributors while Commercial Bank and CIC rose and Melstacorp fell.

John Keells Foundation (the CSR arm of John Keells Holdings PLC) sponsored a cutting-edge investigative software and delivered training to the Sri Lanka Police’s bureau for child and women abuse, contributing to the rescue of 22 children, arrest of 21 suspects and filing of 111 court cases in its first year.

Rights issue · 1:10 at Rs 60.00 · XD Nov 12, 2025

Lankem Ceylon PLC's 1:3 rights issue of ~17.1m shares at Rs.70 was oversubscribed, attracting applications worth about Rs.1.36 billion versus the Rs.1.2 billion sought. The allotment is subject to cheque realisation, bank confirmations and verification.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.33% (75.10 pts) to 23,104.96, ending a five-day losing streak as diversified conglomerates and financials led gains. Top contributors included Sampath Bank, John Keells, Bukit Darah, Carson Cumberbatch, CIC, Access Engineering and ACL Cables.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Union Assurance celebrated over 65 Partnership Distribution IROs who qualified for MDRT status for 2024, including two Top of the Table and 14 Court of the Table qualifiers. The event was held at Hilton Colombo and Union Assurance is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH).

Colombo bourse closed marginally down as the ASPI fell 0.09% (21.80 pts) to 23,029.86 on turnover of over Rs. 3.8bn and net foreign outflow of Rs. 4.7m. Major negative contributors included Commercial Bank, Dialog, Colombo Dockyard, DFCC and NDB, while J.F. Packaging rose on debut.

Dividend · Rs 5.27 · XD Nov 28, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 5.27/share; XD 2025-11-28; record 2025-11-30; payable 2025-12-18; FY 2025/2026

Rights issue · 1:3 at Rs 70.00 · XD Oct 16, 2025

The ASPI fell 0.74% (172.02 pts) to 23,051.66 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.52% to 6,376.54 as profit-taking pulled the market lower. Turnover exceeded Rs.4.4bn with foreign net outflow of Rs.100.6m; SFCL, HNB, RICH, DFCC and DIAL were the key negative contributors and capital goods, banking and food/beverage/tobacco led activity.

Dipped Products (DIPD.N0000) launched the 40-hectare EcoPulse Cloud Forest Restoration Project on Dell Mountain in partnership with Horana Plantations, focusing on montane forest restoration and biodiversity protection; Dipped said 94% of its energy use is now from renewables.

John Keells Properties is the Official Real Estate Partner of FACETS Sri Lanka 2026, the international gem and jewellery exhibition taking place 3–5 Jan 2026 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo.

Hayleys PLC's Advantis Group held the Advantis Awards 2025, recognising operational and ESG achievements including a new 3PL distribution-centre contract, conversion of the M.V. Melissa to a Colombo–Malé feeder vessel, onboard solar integration and a 100% on-time humanitarian logistics record.