News & market updates

Dividend · Rs 1.65 · XD Feb 5, 2026

Third Interim dividend of LKR 1.65/share; XD 2026-02-05; record 2026-02-05; payable 2026-02-24; FY 2025/26

Dividend · Rs 1.48 · XD Feb 5, 2026

Third Interim dividend of LKR 1.478/share; XD 2026-02-05; record 2026-02-05; payable 2026-02-24; FY 2025/26

Sri Lanka's total export earnings reached US$17,252.15 Mn in 2025, up 5.6% year-on-year. Merchandise exports rose 6.32% to US$13,579.38 Mn and services exports increased 2.79% to US$3,672.77 Mn, with strong gains in apparel, coconut products, ICT/BPM and food & beverages.

Ambeon Capital PLC (via subsidiary Ambeon Essentials) signed an SSPA to acquire 981,118 shares (about 51.11%) of Harischandra Mills PLC and will make a voluntary offer for the remaining shares; the deal is subject to regulatory approvals.

Hayleys-owned Mabroc Teas has launched TeaTrace, a QR-linked digital traceability platform providing batch-level visibility from estate to retail to meet European ESG and sourcing demands. The platform, unveiled at Anuga 2025, is intended to support compliance, sustainability verification and market access.

Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management launched the CAHM 7-Star Junior Chef Competition, sponsored by Serendib Flour Mills' 7 Star Wheat Flour, awarding a Rs. 2 million full scholarship to the winner. The contest targets 13–16-year-olds to build skills and a talent pipeline for Sri Lanka's hospitality sector.

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.

Barista Sri Lanka raised Rs. 6.78 million through its annual "Share a Meal" campaign, providing 67,830 meals to nearly 800 children across six SOS Children’s Villages. The December 2025 initiative is the campaign's sixth consecutive year and will also support education initiatives.

Emirates is developing new plant-forward, minimally processed vegan dishes to be introduced onboard in 2027. The airline already offers 488 vegan recipes across 140 destinations and serves about 500,000 vegan meals annually, with vegan options across all classes and lounges.

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.

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.

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.

Almas Holdings sold a 24.78% stake in Renuka Holdings for Rs. 243 million, disposing 5.16% (1.25m non-voting shares) to the Capital Alliance Quantitative Equity Fund and 19.62% (4.75m shares) on market at Rs. 40.50; Renuka non-voting shares closed at Rs. 43.50 (+Rs. 1.90).

Sunshine Holdings (SUN.N0000) will acquire a 75% stake (577,320 shares) in Joint Agri Products Ceylon for Rs. 2.698 billion. JAPC processes and exports spices, coconut products and teas (mainly to the EU and US), and Sunshine says the deal expands its consumer and export footprint.

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.

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC won two honours at the FMCG Asia Awards 2025 — New Brand Launch (Sri Lanka) for True Born and Seasonal Campaign (Sri Lanka) for Carlsberg’s Display Drive & Merchandising. The company said its contributions to Sri Lanka’s tax base have exceeded LKR 500 billion over the past decade.

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.

FRELLA, a Sri Lankan-born natural wellness brand, is entering the Sri Lankan retail market through a strategic distribution partnership with Baurs & Co., bringing its Ayurveda-inspired beauty and wellness products to local consumers. The brand already serves luxury hotels and operates in 15+ international markets.

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.

Siddhalepa Ayurveda (Hettigoda Group) opened a new retail outlet at the Departure Terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake. The outlet offers a curated selection of Siddhalepa products for travellers as a final pre-departure experience.

Sunshine Holdings PLC will buy a 75% stake in Joint Agri Products Ceylon for Rs2.698 billion. JAPC exports spices, coconut products and teas mainly to the EU and USA and will keep its founder shareholders on the board.

Sunshine Holdings PLC (SUN) will acquire a 75% stake in Joint Agri Products Ceylon (JAPC) under a share purchase agreement signed 21 January 2026, targeting expansion of its consumer sector and export presence in premium organic spices and agri products.

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.

CBL Group bought Indonesian coconut processing plant PT Tri Jaya Tangguh Indonesia for $25 million to boost capacity, strengthen supply-chain resilience and expand exports into markets including Europe and the United States.

Gamer.LK's Colombo Comic Expo 2025 concluded at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, drawing thousands of fans and featuring Munchee Savory as Platinum Partner and Coca‑Cola as power partner; the two-day event hosted 300+ cosplayers and 60+ artists in Artist Alley.