News & market updates

Antler Group's Britol range will use GP Certified recycled plastics to replace up to 40% of imported virgin plastic in some products, increasing certified recycled content in FMCG packaging. The initiative is positioned to support EPR compliance, strengthen local recycling and create jobs.

Textrip (Elasto Group) won multiple awards for export and industrial excellence in 2025, including recognition at the NCE Export Awards (Rubber & Rubber-Based Products), Silver (provincial) and Bronze (national) at the CNCI Achiever Awards, and a Bronze at the PRISL Awards.

Marlbo Trading showcased FLIR thermal and acoustic imaging technologies at the INCO 2026 exhibition, demonstrating tools for early fault detection and energy-efficiency across construction, utilities and manufacturing.

Marlbo Trading will showcase FLIR thermal and acoustic inspection technologies at INCO 2026 (13–15 March, BMICH), demonstrating tools for early fault detection and leak identification across construction, utilities and manufacturing.

Speakers at an OPA seminar warned the Middle East conflict will raise global energy prices, strain fuel supplies (fuel ≈20% of Sri Lanka's import bill), and hit tourism and remittances (≈40% from the Middle East), urging price reforms, renewables, maritime and cyber security upgrades.

Gulf escalation and shipping disruptions have hit Sri Lanka's tourism, tea and apparel sectors, pulling the bourse down 12.7% through March 20; plantation and apparel stocks plunged (Namunukula -30.6%, Agalawatte -22%, Teejay Lanka -20.6%) while Sunshine benefits from higher palm oil prices.

Tesla is reportedly in talks to buy about $2.9 billion of solar-panel and cell manufacturing equipment from Chinese suppliers to support a plan to add 100 GW of U.S. solar capacity. Sources say some equipment would be delivered before this autumn, with shipments likely headed to Texas.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up Friday with the ASPI +1.85% at 20,639.73, though the market is down 4.85% from last Friday. Turnover was Rs.4.39bn led by capital goods; top contributors included Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp and John Keells, and Lanka Realty Investments said it will sell 57,204,262 shares to subsidiary Lee Hedges.

Strikes on ammonia plants in Iran have reduced ammonia/urea supply and helped push fertilizer prices about 40% higher in South Asian markets, risking higher rice and other agricultural prices and food-security strains. The article also highlights rodenticides market growth and Chinese space-mouse research.

Antler Group's Britol and GP Certified will replace up to 40% of imported virgin plastic with GP Certified recycled plastics in some Britol FMCG packaging, supporting EPR compliance, local recycling and job creation.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government will prioritise the export sector and intervene fully to overcome current challenges, highlighting difficulties in securing fuel supplies. He met leading exporters and industry representatives to discuss measures to minimise the sector's economic impact.

Export Development Board will fast-track a government-backed priority program to ensure over 4,500 exporters (apparel, tea, spices and others) receive fuel stocks without delay amid escalating fuel shortages. The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship is collecting exporter data and urged firms to submit information immediately.

EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe announced a government-backed fast-track programme to prioritise fuel supply for exporters, aiming to protect operations of over 4,500 exporters (apparel, tea, spices) amid fuel shortages. The Ministry is collecting exporters' data and urging immediate submissions.

Forbes Marshall Lanka won the Gold Flame in the Energy Efficiency Improvement category at the Sri Lanka National Energy Efficiency Awards 2025. The firm reports 500+ walkthrough audits, 20+ energy-saving implementations, furnace oil savings nearing 10 million litres and firewood/biomass savings of 25,000 million yards.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 1.09% (222.54 pts) to 20,640.63 on turnover of Rs.5.27bn, while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.191.2m. Banking led turnover (34%) driven by HNB crossings of Rs.607.7m; top movers included DOCK, RIL, AEL, MELS and ACL.

Sri Lanka's economy grew 4.8% in Q4 2025 and 5.0% for the full year, supported by lower inflation and exchange rate stability. Industry expanded 7.8% in 2025 while agriculture rose 1.4% and services 3.3%, with falling interest rates and some private credit expansion.

Sri Lanka's rupee strengthened to 311.25/35 per US dollar while bond yields were broadly steady and a 120,000 million rupee Treasury bill auction was ongoing. The ASPI opened up 0.79% at 20,578.50.

Dividend · Rs 0.37 · XD Mar 27, 2026

Second Interim dividend of LKR 0.37/share; XD 2026-03-27; record 2026-03-29; payable 2026-04-21; FY 2025/2026

Sri Lanka's economy expanded 5.0% in 2025, with GDP at constant prices rising to Rs. 13,128,577 million. Industry led growth at 7.8% while services grew 3.3% and agriculture 1.4%; authorities cited easing interest rates, a relatively stable exchange rate and stronger construction, manufacturing, financial services, IT and tourism activity.

Sri Lanka's economy expanded 5.0% in 2025, with Q4 growth slowing to 4.8% (from 5.4% in Q3). Industry led the expansion (7.8%) driven by construction, mining and manufacturing, while services grew 3.3% and agriculture 1.4%.

Colombo Stock Exchange has lost over Rs. 1.1 trillion in value since the Middle East war began, with the ASPI down 2.49% (521.17 pts) to 20,418.09 yesterday. Panic selling hit retail investors, with COMB, HAYL, DOCK, NDB and AEL among 227 decliners and net foreign selling of Rs.104.7m.

JAAF chairman Felix Fernando says Sri Lanka's apparel exports were just over US$5.0bn in 2025 and urges a deliberate strategy to reach US$8bn through geographic diversification, higher-value positioning, trade facilitation, digital integration and a stronger investment climate.

SLAMERP marked its 40th anniversary as Sri Lanka's rubber products sector reached USD 1 billion in export revenue and remains the country's third-largest export contributor. The association said it will focus on innovation, sustainability and export market expansion in collaboration with the EDB and government.

Sri Lanka will allow private firms to import and sell fuel in US dollars for the export and tourism sectors to ease shortages; about 30 businesses have registered and can begin supplying fuel from tomorrow.

India is negotiating six FTAs with Australia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile, the Eurasian Economic Union and Israel to expand market access, with talks at various stages and multiple negotiation rounds held since 2015–2026.

Hayleys Fibre PLC appointed Ruwan Rajapakse as Managing Director effective 1 April 2026, succeeding Rajeeve Goonetilleke who retires on 31 March 2026. Rajapakse has over 30 years' experience, most recently as Global Chief Production Officer at the Jiffy Group and previously held senior roles within the Hayleys Group.

CBSL PMIs show expansion: Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.8 in February (from 56.1 in January) and Services PMI was 54.4 (down from 64.5), with a positive three‑month outlook ahead of festive demand but supply‑chain risks cited due to Middle East conflicts.

The Ceylon Chamber urged the government to temporarily limit non-essential foreign currency outflows and allow licensed bunkering firms to procure fuel independently, potentially in foreign currency, to protect exports and tourism amid the Middle East crisis. It also recommended prioritising IMF tranche continuity, dynamic fuel pricing, faster fuel and fertiliser procurement, and measures to support tourism and trade efficiency.