News & market updates

Sri Lanka's CCPI inflation rose to 5.4% in April 2026, up from 2.2% in March, after a roughly 35% government fuel price increase; the rise may prompt the Central Bank to tighten monetary policy sooner than expected.

Sri Lanka's headline inflation accelerated to 5.4% year‑on‑year in April 2026, up from 2.2% in March, driven mainly by higher transport (petrol +Rs.91.18/l, diesel +Rs.88.82/l) and utility costs (12.5kg LP gas +Rs.595.81; electricity). Food inflation also rose to 2.7%, supporting the Central Bank's projection but keeping monetary policy risks elevated.

Watawala Plantations and regional plantation companies are preparing to expand palm oil cultivation if the seven-year ban is lifted after a Plantations Ministry expert committee found no basis for the environmental or health concerns. Industry says private investors had committed about Rs.500m to expand 8,000 ha before the ban.

KALBE hosted the Diabetasol High Tea on 27 March 2026 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, bringing together 50 loyal customers and media. The event featured an expert panel on nutrition and mental health, a live cooking demo and dance therapy to promote balanced living for people with diabetes.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower with the ASPI down 0.38% to 22,549.53 and market turnover at 3.44 billion rupees; capital goods led turnover (984.6 million). Lion Brewery and Watawala Plantations were top positive contributors while Dialog Axiata, John Keells and Commercial Bank were top negatives; Brent rose above $113.

Colombo market closed in the green for a fourth straight session as the ASPI rose 0.07% to 22,635 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.18% to 6,241.01; turnover was about Rs.4.2bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.332.5m. CINS, BREW and JKH were among top contributors while diversified financials and banks led turnover.

Singer (Sri Lanka) agreed to buy ACME Printing and Packaging's Piliyandala factory for Rs630 million to expand its local manufacturing. ACME said the sale is part of its restructuring; Singer reported a 47% rise in December-quarter profits to Rs2.1 billion.

FAO launched a USD 300,000 fertilizer voucher programme to provide e-vouchers to 3,489 cyclone-hit smallholder paddy farmers in Anuradhapura ahead of the Yala season. Vouchers (USD 75–90) can be used to buy Urea, TSP and MOP from Agrarian Service Centers and beneficiaries will receive GAP technical booklets.

Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC appointed Sarmad Abbasi as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 May 2026. Abbasi, a British American Tobacco Group veteran with over 15 years in senior regional and brand roles (most recently GM Iraq), succeeds Fariyha Subhani.

The ASPI rose 0.20% (44.68 pts) to 22,612.31 as foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 242.25m; market turnover was nearly Rs. 3bn on 141m shares. Gains were led by CINS, DIAL, SAMP, CARS and DFCC, with food, beverage & tobacco leading turnover (25%) and capital goods plus real estate adding 25%.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index rose 0.20% to 22,612 as retail-driven activity lifted the market. Listed energy firm WindForce said it entered a loan agreement with IFC to obtain up to $18 million in two phases.

K+ by Helanka was named Strongest Footwear Brand of the Year at the Platinum Excellence Awards 2026, recognising its product quality, design and expanded distribution. The brand has expanded retail presence, launched new collections, strengthened its supply chain and runs the Colombo International Shoe Fair to support the local footwear industry.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher with the ASPI up 0.11% to 22,592 and the S&P SL20 up 0.13% to 6,212 on turnover of Rs 799 million. Sampath Bank and John Keells were among top gainers while NDB, Access Engineering and LB Finance led declines; Browns Beach Hotels to delist with trading suspended from April 28.

Colombo bourse fell 0.9% for the week (ASPI down 205.7 pts) with year-to-date net foreign outflows reaching Rs. 24.9 billion. CINS, CTC, COMB, JKH and MELS were top positive contributors; market turnover exceeded Rs. 2 billion with capital goods, food/beverage/tobacco and banking leading activity.

UNDP warns more than 30 million people could be pushed back into poverty from the economic fallout of the Iran war, driven by disruptions to fuel and fertiliser supplies and blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. It said fertiliser shortages have already reduced agricultural productivity and food insecurity will peak in a few months.

Nestlé Lanka appointed Manav Sahni as Chairman and Managing Director effective 01 May 2026, succeeding Bernie Stefan who will transition to a global role. Sahni brings over 18 years' experience in FMCG and telecom and previously headed Nestlé’s South Asia dairy business.

LCIF and the UN World Food Programme are partnering on a US$2m initiative, with WFP Sri Lanka receiving US$1m to support its Home‑Grown School Feeding Programme. LCIF is also running a ~US$400,000 "Protect Child Nutrition" grant providing daily meals to about 5,000 children.

The Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.32% (73.23 pts) to 22,566.58, with foreign investors a thin net buyer of Rs. 3.4m. Top negatives included Bukit Darah, Ceylon Beverage, RIL Property and Sampath; turnover was led by food & beverage while Ceylon Cold Stores and Nawaloka gained and Access Engineering and Softlogic Capital fell.

Sri Lanka's cumulative exports for Jan–Mar 2026 reached US$ 4,308.11 million, up 1.59% year-on-year. March exports were US$ 1,467.31 million (down 5.2% YoY but up 9.0% month-on-month), with strength in coconut, processed food, electronics and services while apparel and tea declined.

Fitch warns emerging Asia could face rising food-cost pressure if a prolonged US–Iran war disrupts fertiliser supplies, noting nitrogen urea prices have risen about 50% to roughly USD700/tonne and could cut yields and raise food prices later in 2026. Countries with low stockpiles and import dependence are most exposed.

WFP warns the Middle East conflict is threatening Sri Lanka's recovery by driving fuel costs up 33–40%, raising food and fertiliser import bills (Sri Lanka imported $2.5bn of food in 2025) and risking remittances (around 80% originate in the Gulf). These shocks could push inflation higher, weaken the rupee, strain reserves and hit tourism and household food security.

Advocata Institute says the recent LPG retail increase of Rs.775 left a shortfall of Rs.225–425 per 12.5kg cylinder after Saudi Aramco’s benchmark added Rs.1,000–1,200 to landing costs, with the gap covered by cross-subsidisation that shifts costs onto households. It urges cost-reflective pricing and targeted cash transfers.

Prima KottuMee returns as the Hot ‘N’ Spicy food partner for Sri Lanka Rugby’s New Zealand Under‑85kg Tour, sponsoring matches on 25 April at Colombo Racecourse International Stadium and 3 May at Nittawela Rugby Stadium.

E. B. Creasy & Co., PLC – BIC & DENTA Factory won the Platinum Award at the Responsible Care Excellence Awards 2025, the only Platinum winner across all categories. The awards were organised by the Lanka Responsible Care Council and held at The Barnhouse, Panadura.

Cargills (Ceylon) PLC's Cargills Food City was named the People's Supermarket Brand of the Year 2026 at the SLIM Kantar Awards for the fifth consecutive year. The chain operates 562 stores nationwide and is expanding retail footprint, cold-chain logistics and solar energy investments.

Colombo market ended marginally higher as the ASPI rose 0.06% to 22,639.81 despite net foreign selling of Rs.2.52 billion. Softlogic Life (AAIC) and Ceylon Tobacco (CTC) topped foreign selling and AAIC led turnover with a ~Rs.1.3bn crossing; insurance, food & banking dominated activity.

EPF payouts leave most private-sector professionals with only a few thousand rupees a month at retirement, and Ceylinco Life urges use of structured retirement/insurance products to bridge the gap amid rising living and healthcare costs.