News & market updates

The Sri Lanka–Germany Business Council held its 25th AGM and re‑elected Asoka Hettigoda as President. The German ambassador reaffirmed Germany’s support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and skills migration, noting $888m of Sri Lankan exports to Germany in 2022 and 121,000 German visitors by Nov 2024.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell for a third straight day as the ASPI closed down 0.15% at 15,854.64 amid heavy profit-taking, with turnover of 4.5 billion rupees. Banks HNB, NTB and NDB and other contributors Central Finance, Hemas and Lion Brewery were among the top decliners.

Colombo bourse fell with the ASPI down 1.06% and S&P SL20 down 1.14%, while net foreign inflow was Rs. 188.1 million. Banking led turnover (25%) and several stocks (SAMP, COMB, CINS, RICH, NDB) were top negative contributors; JKH, HHL and BIL recorded small gains.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell with the ASPI down 1.06% (170.82 pts) to 15,878.60 and the S&P SL20 down 1.10% to 4,806.63 on turnover of 8.5 billion rupees. There was a net foreign inflow of 188 million rupees; top positive contributors included Browns Investments, Watawala Plantations, Lion Brewery, Hayleys and Hemas.

The Ceylon Chamber will hold the Sri Lanka Economic Summit on Jan 28–29 focusing on public‑private partnerships and reforms to drive transformational growth. Panelists include ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono and John Keells Holdings Chairman Krishan Balendra.

Colombo bourse ended a four-week winning run as the ASPI fell 299 points to 16,049 (-1.83%) and the S&P SL20 dropped 2.24%; turnover was Rs.11.48bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.142m. Sampath, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Melstacorp and Hayleys were among the top negative contributors while JKH gained.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 1.83% to 16,049.42 and the S&P SL20 fell 2.24% to 4,860.33; turnover was Rs 11.4bn with a net foreign inflow of Rs 141m. Top positive contributors included John Keells, Aitken Spence, Bukit Darah, Lanka IOC and Nawaloka Hospitals.

After a 26-day rally, the CSE reversed course: ASPI fell 299.13 pts to 16,049.42 and the S&P SL20 dropped 46.05 pts to 4,925.82. Turnover was Rs.11.48bn led by Browns Investments (Rs.1.03bn), John Keells (Rs.882m), HNB (Rs.401m), Sampath (Rs.350m) and LOLC (Rs.305m); 189 stocks closed lower.

Colombo Stock Market opened 2025 strongly as the ASPI rose 2.5% (404 pts) to top 16,000 on Rs.12.8bn turnover and net foreign inflow of Rs.88.6m, led by blue-chips and banking names such as JKH, Browns Investments, Aitken Spence, Sampath Bank and Hemas.

S&P SL20 rose past the 5,000 mark to 5,001.74, up 0.60% (29.87 points), while the ASPI was up 0.64% at 16,452. The rally is attributed to low interest rates, banks' excess liquidity making margin loans cheap, and positive banking-sector/debt-restructuring news.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI rose 2.53% to 16,348.55 on Jan 2, 2025 (S&P SL20 up 2.26%), with banks and tourism-exposed stocks leading gains and a net foreign inflow of Rs 88.6 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange ended 2024 higher, with the ASPI up 0.74% at 15,944.61 and the S&P SL20 up 1.01% at 4,862.10. Turnover was Rs7.7bn, banks/diversified financials and capital goods drew the most interest, and there was a net foreign inflow of Rs129mn.

Ambeon Holdings increased its stake in Seylan Bank by 0.98% to 8.61% after buying 3 million shares for Rs.210 million. Ambeon Capital and its subsidiaries also recently acquired a 9.02% stake in DFCC Bank.

Colombo market saw nearly Rs.10bn turnover yesterday as ASPI rose 0.8% (week +4.9%), led by banking and diversified financials; top contributors were HNB, LOLC, DFCC, RCL and MELS, with notable gains in HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC and LOLC.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as the ASPI rose 0.88% to 15,535.60 with turnover of Rs9.8bn, led by banks and diversified financials. Top contributors were HNB (trading contribution Rs2.6bn), LOLC, DFCC, Royal Ceramics and Melstacorp.

ASPI rose 1.5% (232 pts) for a 22nd straight gain while the S&P SL20 is about 50% YTD, with turnover of Rs.7bn led by heavy activity in LOLC, HNB, SUN, SAMP and SPEN as T‑bill yields eased and retail participation rose.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up after the holiday: ASPI +1.53% (232.13 pts) at 15,400 and S&P SL20 +1.48% (67.15 pts) at 4,602, with turnover Rs7bn. Top positive contributors were LOLC Holdings, Hatton National Bank, Sunshine Holdings, Sampath Bank and Aitken Spence.

Colombo market notched a 21st consecutive gain as the ASPI rose 1% (148 pts) to 15,168 on turnover of Rs.5.5bn, led by banking-sector activity; top contributors and heavy turnover included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings, Sampath, Richard Pieris, Commercial Bank, Royal Ceramics and Browns Investments.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI up 0.98% (147.79 pts) to 15,168 and S&P SL20 up 0.82% to 4,535 on turnover of 5.4 billion rupees. Top contributors included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings and Sampath Bank, with a net foreign outflow of 94 million rupees.

The ASPI crossed the 15,000 mark, closing at 15,021 after a 210-point (1.4%) gain on Rs.8.5bn turnover, led by heavy activity in banking and contributions from Browns Investments, HNB, Sampath, LOLC and JKH.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.42% (209.91 points) to 15,020.61, surpassing the 15,000 mark. Top contributors were LOLC, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and Browns Investments amid Rs 8.44 billion turnover, Rs 43 million net foreign inflow and a Fitch rating upgrade cited as a confidence booster.

Turnover at the Colombo Stock Exchange climbed to a 10-month high of Rs.9.2 billion as the ASPI recorded a 19th consecutive daily gain. Top contributors included Sierra Cables, Hatton National Bank, Royal Ceramics and Access Engineering, with a net foreign outflow of Rs.227 million.

The Sri Lanka–Indonesia Business Council held its 1st AGM where the Indonesian Ambassador noted a 12.76% rise in bilateral trade (Jan–Sep 2024 vs same period 2023). The new council committee includes representatives from Aitken Spence, Amana Bank and hSenid Business Solutions.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.07% to 14,810 and turnover hit Rs9.23bn, the highest since Feb 7. Top contributors included Central Finance, Ceylon Cold Stores, Melstacorp, Access Engineering and Chevron Lubricants; net foreign outflow was Rs226m.

Colombo Stock Market closed mixed: ASPI +40 pts (+0.27%) while S&P SL20 -14 pts (-0.3%), with turnover Rs.5.85bn on 357m shares and a net foreign outflow of Rs.1.5m. Top contributors included Ceylon Cold Stores, PGP Glass, John Keells, Lanka IOC, Dipped Products and Lanka Milk Foods, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco leading turnover.

Colombo market closed with the ASPI up 0.27% at 14,654.26 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.32% to 4,390.12 as profit-taking in banking stocks weighed on the SL20. Top gainers included Ceylon Cold Stores, PGP Glass, John Keells, Dipped Products and Lanka IOC; net foreign outflow was Rs 1.4 million.

The ASPI rose 0.67% to 14,614 as the Colombo bourse closed higher with turnover of Rs. 6 billion and a net foreign inflow of Rs. 100.7 million. Banking led turnover (20%) and HNB, DIMO, Vallibel One, Central Finance and CTC were among the top positive contributors.

DIMO (DIMO.N0000) won the Overall Silver Award for Overall Excellence in Corporate Reporting at the TAGS Awards 2024. The company also secured a Gold and four Silver awards (including Gold for Diversified Holdings) and released a braille synopsis plus a dedicated annual report microsite.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher — ASPI +0.11% at 14,516.46 and S&P SL20 +0.80% at 4,384.75, with turnover of 6.35 billion. Top contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, NDB, Cargills and Lanka IOC; net foreign inflow was Rs 336 million and there was notable activity in banking, consumer and hotel stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 2.08% to 14,500 and S&P SL20 rose 2.48% to 4,349 on Dec 16, 2024, with turnover of 8.2 billion. Top turnover generators included Ceylinco, John Keells, Sampath, HNB and Pan Asia; banking stocks rose after the ISB announcement and net foreign inflow was Rs 100 million.