News & market updates

Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) accredited 15 conformity assessment bodies, enabling globally recognised testing, calibration and certification to boost export competitiveness and national quality infrastructure. SLAB also launched a Digital Accreditation Process Workflow Management System to streamline services for exporters, manufacturers and SMEs.

The Cabinet approved contracts awarding Elshaddai Enterprises Ltd. and Jayasuriya Associates to supply five categories of contact lenses for cataract removal and myopia implantation surgeries; Elshaddai won two procurement refs (SR No. 13005029, 13005032) and Jayasuriya three (SR No. 13005026, 13005031, 13005030).

Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC and Asiri Surgical Hospital PLC appointed Kalum de Silva as a Non-Executive, Independent Director. He has over 20 years' experience in private equity, M&A and growth advisory, bringing expertise in funding, governance and scaling businesses.

IIHS has launched three new Executive MBA programmes — EMBA in Health Administration, EMBA in Digital Health, and EMBA in Aged Care Management — with admissions open for a July intake; the hybrid programmes offer scholarships, flexible payment plans and doctoral pathways.

SLAB accredited 15 Conformity Assessment Bodies, strengthening Sri Lanka's national quality infrastructure to help exporters meet international standards and boost trade. SLAB also launched a Digital Accreditation Process Workflow Management System to streamline accreditation for exporters, manufacturers and SMEs.

A CII CEOs delegation led by Sanjiv Puri visited Colombo (29 Jun–2 Jul) to meet the President, Prime Minister and ministers and held a CEOs’ roundtable with Sri Lankan business leaders to explore investment-led collaboration across hospitality, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and tourism.

Royal Nursing Home was named Most Outstanding Private Ambulance Service of the Year at the Asia Miracle Awards 2025. The private nursing home — Sri Lanka’s largest network with over 1,600 nursing staff and the largest private ambulance fleet — also donated two ICU ambulances to the Ministry of Health in 2020.

A CII delegation of Indian CEOs met Sri Lankan business leaders in Colombo on 30 June to discuss improving trade facilitation, aligning regulatory frameworks and encouraging investment and joint ventures across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, renewable energy and tourism. Participants committed to continued engagement through chamber networks.

Shantha Bandara, CEO of Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Ltd., was appointed President of the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) at its 64th AGM on 27 June. He outlined seven priorities including policy advocacy, improved drug testing and NMRA online services and launching an Annual Pharmaceutical Forum, while Central Bank Governor Dr. Weerasinghe commented on inflation, interest rates and exchange-rate flexibility.

The Ceylon Chamber and Indo-Lanka Chamber hosted a June 30 CEO roundtable with an Indian CII delegation led by Sanjiv Puri to discuss improving trade facilitation, aligning regulations and boosting investment and joint ventures across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, renewable energy and tourism.

Johannes Zutt has been appointed World Bank Vice President for South Asia, effective 1 July, and will manage a $39 billion portfolio covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. He will be based in New Delhi as the new regional hub.

AHK Sri Lanka's Spring 2025 survey found 54% of German-affiliated firms in Sri Lanka rate their current situation as "good" and 66% expect business conditions to improve over the next 12 months; 33% plan to increase local investment and 31% plan to expand staff. Firms cited skilled labour shortages, weak domestic demand, unfavourable financing and US trade policy risks as main concerns.

Colombo market closed the week with the ASPI up 4.6% (closed 17,873, +132pts) and daily turnover Rs.5.12bn; CTHR, JKH, SAMP, HNB and CDB were among top contributors, capital goods and diversified financials led turnover while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.441.5m.

LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index rose to a record 210 in June, up 14 points from 196 in May. The surge is tied to expectations that new government policies will stabilise the economy and higher tax inflows, though health outbreaks, a 15% electricity tariff hike and potential oil-price shocks are cited as downside risks.

Sophos's State of Ransomware 2025 report found nearly half of companies paid ransoms, with a median payment of $1 million and 53% negotiating below the initial demand. The report cites exploited vulnerabilities as the top technical cause and notes increased MDR use, faster recoveries and lower costs.

Agility Innovation is the Exclusive Platinum Partner for Sri Lanka’s inaugural Data Privacy and Protection Summit on 3 July as PDPA enforcement begins, pressing organisations to update data frameworks and appoint Data Protection Officers.

Queen Hospital Medical Centre opened Golden Heart Age Care in Ratmalana, a dedicated elderly care centre offering comprehensive packages from Rs. 90,000 per adult. The facility provides medical staff, personalised care plans, short-term/day options and OPD services for nearby suburbs.

Brown & Company PLC reported FY25 consolidated revenue of Rs. 107.82 billion and PBT of Rs. 25.88 billion, with total assets of Rs. 752.69 billion. The Group completed major East Africa Lipton plantation acquisitions, took controlling stakes in Sierra Cables and Tea Smallholder Factories, and saw strong results across its plantations and hospitality units.

Hemas Hospitals opened Hemas Health Plus, a purpose-built outpatient centre in Wattala offering integrated OPD services including a multi-disciplinary Liver Center (the first private-sector paediatric liver unit), wellness, paediatric, cosmetic and premium care facilities.

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife and daughter were remanded after failing to meet bail conditions in a CIABOC money‑laundering probe into alleged illegal assets totalling Rs.97.35 million. The inquiry includes seizures of property and vehicles and probes into suspected misuse of official residences, state vehicles and procurement of substandard medicines during his tenure.

Ceylon Chamber and Dhaka Chamber signed an MoU to foster bilateral trade and investment after a business dialogue in Colombo on 17 June 2025. The forum connected 24 Bangladeshi delegates with 90+ Sri Lankan firms and hosted 200+ B2B meetings across FMCG, IT, logistics, renewables and pharmaceuticals.

The Ceylon Chamber hosted a business dialogue with a Dhaka Chamber delegation on 17 June 2025, including 200+ B2B meetings and a signed MoU to promote Sri Lanka–Bangladesh trade and investment.

Kalbe International has expanded its Sri Lanka operations—establishing Kalbe Lanka, starting toll manufacturing and deepening local research—with a 2024 clinical trial showing Entrasol improved nutritional status, muscle strength and activity in malnourished older adults.

Sri Lanka's GDP grew 4.8% in 1Q2025, slowing from previous quarters and from 5.3% a year earlier; industry rose 9.7%, services 2.8% and agriculture fell 0.7%. The DCS said a relatively stable exchange rate and low interest rates helped underpin the growth.

IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath said Sri Lanka returned to macro stability with 5% GDP growth in 2024 and secured $3bn in debt forgiveness plus $25bn restructured under its IMF-supported program. She highlighted strong fiscal and governance reforms, central bank independence and a restructuring that halves external debt service and cuts debt stocks.

Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC appointed Chaaminda Kumarasiri as Group Managing Director, effective 5 June 2025. Kumarasiri is a senior Chartered Accountant and former group CFO with extensive governance and leadership experience.

Christell Luxury Wellness hosted “From Breakouts to Breakthroughs” at One Galle Face to launch the Christell Acne Lab, a super-specialty clinic offering a proprietary 5-Step Pathway and community-focused programs for holistic acne care.

Dividend · Rs 4.00 · XD Jun 23, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 4/share; XD 2025-06-23; record 2025-06-23; payable 2025-07-11; FY 31st March 2025