News & market updates

CleanTech became the first Sri Lankan company certified under the Good Plastic Standard GP 5040:2025. The certification enables it to supply verified recycled plastic to FMCG brands and supports the rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Sri Lanka.

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.

BOI reports USD 1,057 million FDI inflows in 2025, a 72% increase from 2024. Manufacturing accounted for 46% of inflows, port development 26% and tourism 11%; 24 new projects contributed USD 134m and BOI approved 146 projects worth USD 1,906m toward 2026 targets.

Dividend · Rs 0.50 · XD Feb 3, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.5/share; XD 2026-02-03; record 2026-02-04; payable 2026-02-23; FY Ending 31.03.2026

BOI reports $1,057 million FDI inflows in 2025, a 72% YoY increase, with manufacturing attracting 46% and port development 26% of inflows. Singapore was the largest source (30%) and the BOI aims for a $1.5 billion FDI target in 2026 backed by new projects and institutional reforms.

NGJA introduced a revised tax framework assigning deemed values of $900/kg for precious and $50/kg for semi-precious gemstones to calculate VAT and SSCL, aiming to revive trade and reach $1 billion in exports by 2026. Small consignments will be taxed per carat ($5 precious, $1 semi-precious), and a 4% income tax on overseas remittances from gem sales is under discussion.

Felix A. Fernando, CEO and MD of Omega Line Ltd., was elected Chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum at its 22nd AGM. He said JAAF will work with policymakers to boost competitiveness, market access, ease of doing business and sustainability for Sri Lanka’s apparel exporters.

David Pieris Motor Company (DPMC) has launched the BAJAJ Electric three-wheeler in Sri Lanka, offering a certified range of up to 176 kilometres on a single charge. The model includes an onboard charger, IP67-rated battery, ~4.5h full charge (80% in <3h) and 24/7 roadside assistance.

EFC's National Best Employer Awards 2025 honoured SPEN.N0000, COMB.N0000, DIAL.N0000, HNB.N0000, HAYL.N0000, HHL.N0000, JKH.N0000 and others as Best Employer winners; honourable mentions included CTC.N0000, LLUB.N0000 and LION.N0000.

The Northern Province hosted the Northern Investment Summit on 21–22 Jan, where BOI chairman Arjuna Herath announced plans for a four-lane highway, Jaffna airport runway extension, Kankesanthurai port upgrade and three strategic industrial zones to attract investment. The summit highlighted priority sectors including IT, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare and called for public–private partnerships and diaspora engagement.

ASPI rose 0.03% (7.45 pts) to 23,813.77 while the S&P SL20 slipped 0.02% to 6,617.85; turnover was Rs.8.3 billion and foreigners were net sellers with a reported net outflow of Rs.144.6 billion. Top contributors included HNB, DFCC, UML, RICH and ASCO, with DOCK, HAYL and SFCL dragging the index.

Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) opens 23–25 Jan 2026 at Muttraweli Ground, Jaffna with over 400 stalls, building on a previous turnout of 78,452 visitors and 5,000 invited business delegates.

The EDB held an orientation for newly appointed Heads of Sri Lanka Missions to strengthen collaboration on export promotion, market access and to mobilize support for Sri Lanka Expo 2026. Officials reviewed export priorities, market opportunities and the Missions' role in buyer linkages and trade facilitation.

Government has consolidated MSME financial facilities into a single digital Rs.95 billion framework and the NCGI will issue Rs.7,000 million in credit guarantees in 2026 to unlock about Rs.10,000 million in MSME lending. Sixteen banks, including HDFC, Commercial Bank, NDB, HNB, Sampath, Seylan, DFCC, Nations Trust and Cargills Bank, will participate in channeling concessional and disaster-relief loans.

ASPI closed at an all-time high of 23,806.32, up 0.77% (182.58 pts) on turnover above Rs.9.8bn. Gains were led by Hayleys, Colombo Dockyard and Sampath Bank, with the capital goods and banking sectors among the top contributors.

Chemanex PLC appointed Dr. Anura Ekanayake as Chairman and Waruna Madawanarachchi as a Non‑Independent, Non‑Executive Director. Ekanayake, on the board since 29 Aug 2016, is a former senior public servant and Unilever executive; Madawanarachchi is a senior agribusiness leader and MD of CIC Agri Cluster.

Hyundai Motor's South Korean union warned the automaker against deploying humanoid robots from 2028, saying the rollout would cause "employment shocks". Hyundai plans to build a factory to produce 30,000 robots a year and begin deployment at its Georgia plant in 2028.

MEGAKEM Engineering (a subsidiary of Wardena Venture Holdings) launched MEGAPROOF HI-BUILD, a locally developed high-build elastomeric waterproofing coating, at BMICH on 8 January 2026. The product targets exterior walls, roofs and concrete surfaces and is positioned for Sri Lanka's tropical conditions.

The Northern Investment Summit 2026 (21–22 Jan) set out plans to transform Sri Lanka’s Northern Province into an investment hub, proposing infrastructure upgrades (a four‑lane highway, Jaffna runway extension, KKS port upgrade) and three industrial zones at KKS, Paranthan and Mankulam.

CBL Group announced the acquisition of PT. Tri Jaya Tangguh Indonesia with an investment of over $25 million to expand its Indonesian coconut processing capacity and exports to Europe and the US. The deal, supported by the IFC, brings a facility with over 800 employees and aims to scale value-added coconut product output.

Labour force participation rose to 49.9% in Q3 2025 (from 46.9% a year earlier) while the unemployment rate was 4.3% (367,000). Employment increased to 8.10 million, with services employing 49.8% of workers and industry 26.8%, reflecting a shift away from agriculture.

The Export Development Board held a National Consultative Forum to shape the Strategic Export Development Roadmap 2026–2030, targeting US$36 billion in export revenue by 2030. The forum launched an Export Performance Indicator data tool and promoted Sri Lanka Expo 2026, with participation from senior government and central bank officials.

Hela Apparel Holdings has called an EGM on 3 February to approve the transfer of up to 65% (65,000 shares) of its overseas subsidiary Hela Brands Ltd to a strategic investor in a deal valued at $12 million. The EGM will be held online at 3:30 p.m.

The private sector minimum monthly wage has been raised to Rs. 30,000 from Rs. 27,000 (an increase of Rs. 3,000) effective 1 January. The change, under the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, requires employers to base statutory payments (EPF, ETF, overtime, gratuity, maternity, leave) on the revised wage and disallows counting most allowances toward the minimum; employees can lodge complaints with the Labour Department for non-compliance.

NGJA Chairman Dr. S.P. Chaminda said Sri Lanka is exploring a domestic gold refinery to process less-refined gold locally, reduce reliance on fully refined imports facing roughly 45% import levies, curb smuggling and support jewellery exports; discussions with foreign firms are ongoing and hoped to conclude this year.

Colombo Dockyard drove turnover and traded higher after India’s Mazagon Dock bought a 41.73% stake; the ASPI rose 0.76% to 23,803 with market turnover Rs9.81bn, of which DOCK accounted for Rs2.65bn.

CBL Group announced the acquisition of Indonesian coconut processor PT Tri Jaya Tangguh Indonesia for over USD 25 million. The IFC-supported deal aims to boost processing capacity, strengthen supply-chain resilience and expand exports to Europe and the United States.