News & market updates

A pre-budget meeting on the 18th at the Presidential Secretariat brought pharmaceutical, veterinary, Ayurvedic and cosmetic manufacturers to discuss sector challenges and budget proposals; Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said proposals will be considered and new laws may be introduced to ensure quality standardized products.

Bhutan plans the Gelephu Mindfulness City as a Special Administrative Region to combine spirituality with sustainable economic development, covering up to 1 million acres and targeting tourism, health and wellness, agritech, green energy, digital assets (a gold-backed 'TER') and aviation.

The Cabinet approved a local pharmaceutical procurement package totaling Rs.10.423 billion for 2025, allocating Rs.1.148bn to the SPMC, Rs.4.159bn to SPMC joint-venture manufacturers and Rs.5.116bn to post-purchase private manufacturers. The move aims to bolster domestic drug production, cut import dependence and secure medical supplies.

Acuity Knowledge Partners has exchanged to acquire Ascent, an AI-powered European digital transformation firm, with the transaction expected to close on 30 September 2025. The deal expands Acuity’s Data & Technology Services, adds 550 specialists across seven jurisdictions and opens new markets including reinsurance and pharma.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has become the Gold Sponsor of the Indira Cancer Trust's TLC Triathlon 2025, a nationwide four-city series to raise breast cancer awareness. The events run Oct 5–26 in Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, Matara and Colombo and expect ~4,000 athletes and 10,000+ spectators.

Vallibel One (parent of the Delmege Group) marks Delmege’s 175th anniversary, highlighting the Group’s diversified operations across consumer goods, interiors, healthcare, shipping, insurance and travel.

NDB Investment Bank (part of the National Development Bank group) was named Euromoney's Best Investment Bank in Sri Lanka for a 14th consecutive year. NDBIB said it led multiple 2024 transactions including M&A/divestitures, rights issues, debentures and groundwork for Vidullanka's Sukuk and Alliance Finance's green bond.

Deepthi Lokuarachchi has been appointed Independent Non-Executive Director of Siyapatha Finance PLC, subject to Central Bank approval; he brings over 30 years' experience in insurance and healthcare, including as Group CEO of Lanka Hospitals and MD/CEO of HNB Assurance.

Vallibel One, parent of the Delmege group, celebrates Delmege's 175th anniversary. The release highlights the group's diversified operations across consumer staples, interiors, healthcare, energy, insurance, shipping and travel and its global brand partnerships.

ZEISS has launched ZEISS MyoCare lenses in Sri Lanka to slow childhood myopia progression, rolling out the product in partnership with Wickramarachchi Opticians to expand access to advanced paediatric myopia management.

Slim Pharmaceuticals appointed Riza Cassim as CEO. Cassim, a 30+ year pharmaceutical veteran, will pursue expansion into biosimilars, new brands and potential acquisitions and aims to make Slim a top-10 importer by 2028 and top-5 by 2030.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) concluded a four-day study tour to India (25–28 Aug 2025) with IRDAI, IIB, LIC and industry bodies to study IFRS 17, risk-based supervision, insurtech, data analytics and health-insurance reforms to inform Sri Lanka's regulatory roadmap.

Union Assurance (UAL.N0000) partnered with Flash Health to offer free monthly online doctor consultations through its Clicklife app. The move integrates digital health services into the insurer's mobile ecosystem, complementing other Clicklife offerings such as mobile cancer care coverage.

Lanka Hospitals' MD says Bank of Ceylon's on-site branch is a vital enabler of the hospital’s financial operations, handling staff salary disbursements, supplier and patient settlements and daily transactions. Lanka Hospitals also highlights investments in advanced medical technology, JCI/CAP accreditations and an International Patient Centre to curb medical tourism outflows.

The Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH) held its first national gathering, 'Beyond Competition – Future Through Partnerships', with over 150 private hospital representatives. The meeting stressed the private sector's role (55% of outpatient care), collaboration with the PHSRC, and launched APHNH's official website.

Beam Hela Osu Lanka rewarded outstanding sales officers with a five-day Thailand incentive tour from Aug 2–6, its first overseas incentive trip. The Ayurvedic product maker, ISO 22000:2018 certified, sells herbal products nationwide via pharmacies and supermarkets.

Melstacorp's Melsta Hospitals Ragama appointed Dr. Sanjeewa Rajapakse, a consultant cardiologist with nearly 25 years' experience, to its Board of Directors. He will support the hospital's clinical strategy, service expansion and its drive toward JCI accreditation.

Link Natural won the Cup at the 53rd Mercantile Rugby Sevens 2025 on its debut, beating Pearl Beach 31-14 in the final (tournament held 12–13 Sept 2025). The company says it will use rugby to promote its herbal pharmaceutical, healthcare and personal care products.

Slim Pharmaceuticals has appointed Riza Cassim as CEO; he brings over 30 years' multinational pharma experience and will pursue growth via new brands, biosimilars, niche entries, potential acquisitions and digital-health initiatives to expand access and drive double-digit growth.

ASPI fell 0.6% (128 pts) to 20,642 on turnover of Rs.6.5bn, led by Prime Lands Residencies (Rs.1.9bn), Chevron Lubricants and Sierra Cables; banks and blue-chip names including HNB, JKH and DFCC were top negative contributors.

EDEX Mid-Year Expo 2025 will be held 13–14 September at the BMICH in Colombo, featuring about 50 educational institutions, 10 corporates and international exhibitors; the event also includes a CSR hearing screening for 1,000 Grade 1 students in Kekirawa.

Author urges Sri Lankan policymakers to adopt smart regulation (age limits, product standards, enforcement) for e-cigarettes rather than prohibition to curb black markets and protect youth. Cites PHE's 95% less-harm estimate, Australia’s 1.4M vapers (90% illicit sourcing) and New Zealand’s fall in smoking from 16.4% to 6.8% as evidence.

Michelin Lanka, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society and Sri Lanka Police launched a Basic First Aid and Defensive Driving programme to train 500 three-wheeler drivers in the Western Province this year, with plans to expand to other provinces next year.

Colombo market rebounded as ASPI rose 0.4% (S&P SL20 +0.6%) on turnover of Rs.11.87bn led by CT Holdings (Rs.3.6bn), Cargills (Rs.1bn), CDB, PickMe and Sierra Cables. Selected banks (HNB, NDB, NHL, BIL, DFCC) were top positive contributors while foreign investors were net sellers (Rs.2.6bn), with CT Holdings seeing net foreign selling.

ICF Colombo Chapter will hold the 2nd International Coaching Conference on 24–25 Sept at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, on the theme “Humanity 5.0.” Over 350 participants from IT, hospitality, banking, healthcare, manufacturing and FMCG are expected for keynotes, panels and workshops.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.46% to 20,769, with a C T Holdings crossing contributing Rs 3.6bn to turnover; C T Holdings closed down Rs 29.75 at Rs 689. Banks led gains with HNB, NDB and DFCC up, while Sampath and Nations Trust fell.

Sensa Solutions Lanka won the Gold Award in the Printing & Related Services sector and a Merit Award in the Medium Business Category at the National Business Excellence Awards 2025. The Biyagama-based printing and packaging firm has over 120 staff, supplies apparel and other sectors (tea, food, pharmaceuticals) to international clients and holds certifications such as SEDEX/SMETA, Oeko-TEX, ISO, GRS and FSC.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB.N0000) hosted a 'Beyond Ordinary' business forum in the Southern region to share market insights, offer tailored banking solutions to support recovery and growth, and confirmed support for TrailSL’s Karapitiya Cancer Hospital project.