News & market updates

Dividend · Rs 0.30 · XD Jul 9, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.3/share; XD 2026-07-09; record 2026-07-09; payable 2026-07-21; FY 2026/27

The Ceylon Chamber met IMF staff during the fund’s recent visit to discuss sustaining macroeconomic stability and priorities for H2 2026, focusing on improving the investment climate, export expansion, tourism and agriculture support, energy-sector reforms and accelerating digitalisation.

Scouts, a Sri Lankan drone and robotics startup, closed a funding round at a LKR 1.6 billion valuation. Investors include SITREK Group and industry figures; the company targets security, precision agriculture and renewable-energy asset inspection with AI-enabled drones.

Janathakshan and The Coca-Cola Foundation concluded the SWYFT plastic waste project (Aug 2024–May 2026), establishing five MCPCs — including Sri Lanka's first hydro-powered MCPC in partnership with Thalawakelle Plantation (Hayleys) — and distributing 8 electric three-wheelers and 15 e-bikes.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.45% midday to 22,309.09 with turnover of 951.8 million rupees, utilities contributing 448.6 million. Convenience Foods Lanka authorized an 8.00 rupee first-and-final dividend and Tokyo Cement proposed a 2.50 rupee first-and-final dividend.

EDB hosted a North Western & North Central Exporters' Networking Forum in Chillaw to boost regional export capabilities and link exporters with government agencies, discussing customs, legal and market-access challenges and enabling direct engagement with Sri Lanka Customs and the Inland Revenue Department.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka forum highlighted the newly enacted SLTFTA and reported bilateral trade rose 48% to $649m in 2025. Officials said the FTA and related measures should expand market access and investment across logistics, manufacturing, tourism, food processing, IT and healthcare.

The Sri Lankan rupee depreciated 8.0% against the US dollar in 2026 up to June 26, the Central Bank reported; the CBSL showed the dollar buying rate at Rs.332.22 and selling at Rs.341.88 on June 26. The move will materially affect exporters and tourism-related sectors via revenue and cost translation.

Government aims to build coconut and food & beverage exports to USD 3.0bn in two years (USD 2.0bn coconut, USD 1.0bn food & beverage) and pledged incentives, support for value-added production, streamlined raw-material imports and industry establishment in the Northern Province.

Government adopts 'Ceylon Tea Village' program to restructure the smallholder tea sector and target $2.5bn in annual tea exports by 2030; the plan foresees 500 cluster villages, starting with 144 in 2026, and focuses on productivity, value addition and tea-linked tourism.

IFC will invest up to $10 million in New Anthoney’s Farms Group to scale poultry capacity, targeting exports of 1,936 tonnes annually (a 29% rise from 2024) and creating over 900 jobs. The funding includes up to $5m from GAFSP and aims to benefit ~200 smallholder farmers.

Sri Lanka, led by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, participated in the 10th China–South Asia Exposition and 30th Kunming Import Fair (11–16 June 2026), showcasing 100 booths and securing export partnerships including an MoU to promote Sri Lankan beverages in China. Discussions also covered access to Kunming bonded-zone free warehouses to boost supply-chain connectivity.

The Export Development Board convened stakeholders to tackle a coconut fibre shortage that is disrupting production and raising costs even as 2025 coconut coir exports rose to about $294m (22.5% growth). Discussions focused on short-term relief, supply-chain regulation and policy measures to stabilise raw-material availability and support exporters.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum centred on implementing the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA to boost trade and investment after bilateral trade reached USD 649m in 2025 (+48% vs 2024). Delegates highlighted opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, IT, healthcare and tourism and urged streamlined customs and predictable FTA implementation.

Colombo market fell 0.22% as the ASPI closed at 22,208.58 with turnover near Rs.1.2bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.130.6m. Main negative contributors included SAMP, JKH, LOFC, GRAN and RICH, while SPEN, BOGA and HAYC recorded gains.

Colombo Stock Exchange indices rose, with the ASPI up 0.37% (82.93 pts) to 22,291.51 and the S&P SL20 up 0.56% to 6,216.28. Top contributors included John Keells, Windforce, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Sampath Bank; market turnover was LKR110.3m, led by materials (LKR60.4m), while Brent crude fell below $73/bbl.

Sri Lanka's total exports for Jan–May 2026 reached US$7,393.39 million (+7.56% YoY), with May exports of US$1,570.64 million (+18.34% YoY). Growth was broad-based across merchandise and services, led by apparel, coconut products, rubber gloves, electrical/electronic components and ICT/BPM, while tea slipped marginally.

IFC will invest up to $10 million in New Anthony’s Farm Group to expand poultry capacity, retail/franchise reach and value-chain efficiency. The project is expected to create over 900 jobs, benefit ~200 smallholder farmers and raise exports to 1,936 mt annually.

A Cabinet-appointed committee reviewing Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Agreements is expected to submit recommendations in July, and an India Trade Desk has been launched to help Sri Lankan firms tap the Indian market. Bilateral trade reached about $5.8bn in 2025, with Sri Lankan exports to India over $1bn and imports $4.3bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.22% (47.91 pts) to 22,208.58 with turnover Rs1.195bn. Galadari Hotels (GHLL) revised its Galadari Hotel Colombo refurbishment reopening to early Q4 2026; its shares were down 1.84% at Rs16.00.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum highlighted opportunities from the new Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA, with bilateral trade at USD 649m in 2025 (up 48%) and commitments to boost supply chains, investment and trade across food processing, logistics, IT, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Co chairman backed the National Export Development Plan to raise exports to $36bn by 2030, urging a shift to premium, quality-focused exports rather than competing on volume. He called for investment in testing, traceability and trade deals; CEAT Kelani urged policy consistency and supply-chain fixes.

The ASPI edged up 0.01% to 22,256.49 with turnover above Rs.1.56bn and foreign investors net-selling Rs.225mn. Hemas, NDB and Hayleys Fibre were top turnover contributors (Hemas and Hayleys up, Panasian Power down).

Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers Ltd and Forbes and Walker Warehousing Ltd were awarded Carbon Neutral Certification by the Sri Lanka Climate Fund Ltd. The certification recognises their quantification, verification and offsetting of GHG emissions via the Forbes and Walker Rooftop Solar Project and helps position the group to meet tightening exporter sustainability rules, notably in the EU.

The National Chamber of Exporters warns unresolved regulatory, operational and policy bottlenecks could hamper Sri Lanka's US$36bn export target by 2030; total exports were US$4.31bn in Q1 2026 (up 1.59% y/y). Sectors including coconut, floriculture, minerals, boat-building and logistics seek digitised single-window clearances, labour import mechanisms and royalty/licence reforms.

Sri Lanka used the 10th China–South Asia Expo in Kunming to boost market access, with Yunnan authorities agreeing to provide a 2,000 sq m free warehouse in Kunming for Sri Lankan exporters to store and distribute goods via Chinese e-commerce. The pavilion highlighted tea, spices, coconut products, processed foods, handicrafts and tourism services amid rising participation and trade growth with China.