News & market updates

Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TPL.N0000) was appointed Patron of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka's Climate Emergency Task Force and reported >30,800 GJ renewable generation and a 7% y/y emissions reduction (23,431 t CO2e). It invested >LKR 58m in reforestation, water security and energy-efficiency projects and is the first Sri Lankan plantation to assure SLFRS S1/S2 climate disclosures.

Pineapple yields tripled to about 55 tonnes per hectare (a 300% increase) and export‑grade mango production rose to 90% after a two‑year FAO–China–Sri Lanka project providing Chinese technical support across 10 model farms.

Sri Lanka's cabinet approved moving forward with RCEP accession by responding to the initial questionnaire, which must be completed by January 1, 2026. Accession would require elimination of tariffs on about 85–90% of tariff lines and is intended to diversify exports and strengthen participation in regional supply chains.

Sri Lanka's total exports in Jan–Oct 2025 reached $14.43bn, up 6% YoY, with merchandise exports $11.37bn (+6.53%) and services $3.06bn (+4.01%). Tea, apparel, coconut-based products, ICT/BPM and transport & logistics led the gains and the EDB remains confident of a $19bn 2025 target.

Cabinet approved moving to the next stage of accession to the RCEP, allowing Sri Lanka to formally participate and requiring submission of a detailed initial questionnaire by 25 January 2026. Officials say membership would help diversify export markets and strengthen integration into regional supply chains.

The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025 (Dec 2–3) is sold out with over 850 participants, including 100+ international delegates. The two-day event will feature 40+ speakers across trade, investment, manufacturing, renewable energy, technology, tourism, finance and agriculture, plus B2B/G2B meetings.

Sri Lanka's merchandise exports were essentially flat, rising 0.02% y/y to $1,158.24m in October 2025, with tea and apparel exports down while coconut-based exports jumped 60.46%. The US remained the largest market at $246.2m (down 0.46%) and exports to India fell 10.03% to $74.49m.

Sri Lanka's cumulative exports reached US$ 14,433.82 Mn in January–October 2025, a 6.0% year-on-year increase, with coconut-based exports topping US$1.0bn for the first time. Services exports rose 4.01% to an estimated US$ 3,060.21 Mn, while apparel, tea and food & beverages also recorded gains.

Sri Lanka earned $1.29 billion from tea exports in Jan–Oct 2025, up about 9% from $1.18 billion a year earlier. Cumulative shipments rose to 220.21 Mnkg (up 17.06 Mnkg) and Iraq was the top buyer at 33.88 Mnkg.

ASPI fell 1.47% to 22,644.88, a five-week low, while the S&P SL20 dropped 1.33% to 6,279.71. Declines in banks and blue-chips led losses (notably HNB, RICH, NDB, SAMP and JKH); turnover was Rs.4.95bn with foreigners net buying ~Rs.83.2m and heavy activity in Hemas, DOCK and York.

Lotus Renewable sold 10,903,500 shares (4.61% of issued ordinary shares) in Hatton Plantations to Durga Infra for Rs. 297.7m (Rs. 27.30/share) on 21 Nov; the board was notified on 24 Nov 2025. Hatton closed at Rs. 28.10, down Rs. 0.40, and reported NAV Rs. 21.47/share at end-Sep 2025.

Glorious Holdings Pvt. Ltd. won the Best Modern Agriculture Solution Provider of the Year award at the Asia Miracle Awards 2025 and was nominated for an SLTC Research and Innovation Award 2025. The nomination recognised a research collaboration with Sabaragamuwa University that was published by the University of Peradeniya.

Brown & Company PLC's Browns Agriculture won the Gold Award for “Global Brand of the Year” for its Browns SUMO WORLD Harvester at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2025. The harvester holds a 73% national market share and features advanced monitoring and extensive after-sales support.

Elpitiya Plantations (ELPL.N0000) held Upcountry (31 Oct) and Low Country (7 Nov) award ceremonies, presenting over 100 awards at each event and recognising more than 400 estate staff. The company said it will continue to support employee development through training and wellbeing initiatives.

UNDP economist Dr. Vagisha Gunasekara warned Sri Lanka's Digital Public Infrastructure rollout and rapid para-tariff cuts risk entrenching inequality and destabilising industries unless internet access, digital skills, labour mobility and SME readiness are addressed first. She recommended DPI be designed for low-bandwidth, multilingual, mobile-first access and that trade reform sequencing prioritise non-tariff logistics and customs reforms and skills investment before tariff cuts.

The Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council led a trade and investment mission across Canada (28 Oct–14 Nov) that opened pathways for cooperation in tourism, agriculture, IT, finance, education and research, and explored an investment forum and diaspora-led initiatives including an OCSL visa discussion.

Halal Assessment Council (HAC) received a Merit Award at the Sri Lanka National Quality Awards 2023 from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution on 11 November 2025. HAC certifies Halal products for domestic and international markets; Halal-certified exports were estimated at $1.9bn in 2024 (63% of food & beverage exports, 16% of total exports).

A Vietnamese embassy delegation visited Jaffna to promote economic, trade, investment and tourism linkages and explore cooperation in agribusiness, aquaculture, agro-processing, tourism, logistics, industrial zones and renewable energy.

Coconut Cultivation Board targets 4.2 billion nuts in 2026; YTD Aug production was 1.92bn, exports rose 35% to $367.5m and average nut price jumped 53% to Rs.138.25. Government has allocated over Rs.3bn (including Rs.600m for northern expansion and a proposed Rs.2.5bn smallholder program), but leaf blight outbreaks pose a significant threat.

Sri Lanka High Commission promoted Sri Lanka as a tourism and investment destination at the Lions District 201N5 Conference in Wentworthville on 15 November, drawing strong visitor interest in leisure travel and partnerships. The team highlighted opportunities in tourism, ICT and agriculture, including Ceylon tea.

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.

A Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council–led delegation completed a trade and investment mission in Canada (28 Oct–14 Nov 2025) to advance partnerships across agriculture, IT, finance, tourism and education. Discussions covered banking and insurance cooperation, agri‑tech and food security, medical tourism, an OCSL visa scheme and plans for investment forums and trade fairs.

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO.N0000) won the Diamond Award at CMA Sri Lanka's 11th Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2025. Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) and L B Finance (LFIN.N0000) received Silver/Bronze joint awards and Talawakelle Tea Estates (TPL.N0000) was a Gold co-winner.

The Sri Lanka Business Council UAE opened the inaugural SLBC EXPO Pavilion 2025 in Dubai on 21 November to showcase Sri Lankan brands across sectors, with DFCC Bank among participating exhibitors.

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.

Sri Lanka's tea crop rose to 21.78 Mnkg in October 2025, up 0.50 Mnkg year‑on‑year, while cumulative Jan–Oct production increased 1.29% to 220.97 Mnkg.

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.

Sri Lanka will assume the Chairmanship of the Asia Tea Alliance for 2026–2027 and Colombo will host the 6th ATA Annual Meeting and the Asia International Tea Summit on 27 November 2025. The chairmanship, led by TSHDA, emphasizes smallholder representation, regenerative and low‑carbon practices, and improved market access for producers and exporters.

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.