News & market updates

Cabinet approved loan and grant agreements securing a $35m ADB loan plus grants of over €15.4m and $5.5m to fund a grid-based rooftop solar and virtual net metering project. The project aims to improve integration of rooftop solar into the national grid and boost small- and medium-scale renewables.

LOLC Holdings PLC held a strategic engagement with the National Bank of Rwanda to support financial inclusion and expand LOLC Unguka Finance's growth in Rwanda, including cooperation on MSME development and green finance initiatives.

Haycarb PLC will invest USD 18 million in a BOI-approved expansion to scale production of high-performance activated carbon for energy-storage applications (HCE 400). HCE 400, which won the Presidential Export Award, is being validated by international customers for silicon–carbon anodes and supercapacitors.

Outgoing Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff said he is optimistic about Sri Lanka's recovery and rising investor confidence, noting about 80 Swedish companies operate in Sri Lanka. He highlighted opportunities in ICT, apparel exports, renewable energy, healthcare and tourism, and cited Port City progress and the need for direct flights.

The Cabinet approved establishment of a Centralised Zero-Waste Biomass Cinnamon Processing Centre at the University of Ruhuna to be carried out in four phases over 27 months. Jointly implemented by the Science & Technology Ministry, ITI and the university, it aims to support small-scale cultivators in Matara and Galle by lowering processing costs and utilising biomass waste.

The Cabinet approved a financing package to launch the "Grid-Based Rooftop Solar Power and Virtual Net Metering" project, authorizing a $35.0m ADB loan, a €15.4m EU grant and a $5.5m Japanese grant. The funding is intended to modernize the grid and support small- and medium-scale renewable energy producers.

Sri Lanka's cabinet approved establishing a centralized zero-waste biomass cinnamon processing centre at the University of Ruhuna, to be implemented over four phases spanning 27 months. The state-led project aims to modernize infrastructure, cut processing costs and commercialize cinnamon biomass to help regional smallholder producers.

Cabinet approved signing a tripartite agreement to implement a programme promoting energy‑efficient, climate‑resilient buildings backed by a €924,063 German grant (~Rs314m). GIZ will implement the project with progress monitored by the Ministry of Energy and the Sustainable Energy Authority.

Sri Lanka's cabinet approved about $57m in funding for the Rooftop Solar Aggregation and Virtual Net Metering Project: a $35m ADB loan, a €15.4m EU grant and a $5.5m JFJCM grant. The project aims to enhance small- and medium-scale renewable energy and rooftop solar distribution to independent power producers.

The National System Operator launched an international tender for a 250 MW / 1,000 MWh standalone battery energy storage system across 25 substations, with BOO contracts and proposals due 10:00 hrs on 14 Aug 2026.

The National System Operator (Ministry of Energy) has launched an international tender for a 250 MW / 1000 MWh standalone battery energy storage system, structured as 10 MW/40 MWh units across 25 substations. The BOO project carries 15‑year storage agreements; proposals due Aug 14 (RFP until Aug 13).

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers' Association urged the government to operationalise power wheeling, lower industrial energy costs and set up dedicated fuel stations in Katunayake and Biyagama to protect export manufacturing competitiveness. The group also asked for a review of industrial diesel pricing.

Lanka IOC PLC held its 24th AGM on 09 July 2026 where shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026 and declared a dividend. The board highlighted strategic priorities including digital transformation, retail network expansion, growth in lubricants/petrochemicals, and pursuit of EV charging and renewable energy projects.

Janathakshan, funded by The Coca‑Cola Foundation, concluded the SWYFT project (Aug 2024–May 2026), establishing five MCPCs, launching Sri Lanka's first hydro-powered MCPC with Thalawakelle Plantation (Hayleys Group), and distributing eight electric three-wheelers and 15 e-bikes.

Alliance Finance broadened its Green Bond Framework to allow up to 30% of proceeds to refinance eligible rooftop solar projects, with a two-year look-back period; Deloitte confirmed alignment with ICMA Green Bond Principles and the amendments received external assurance.

John Keells CG Auto signed an MOU with Green EV to expand nationwide EV charging access, adding 125+ Green EV chargers and giving BYD/Denza customers access to Green EV's 100+ DC and 70 AC chargers including 120 kW ultra-fast units.

WindForce PLC secured up to US$18 million in IFC local-currency financing to develop Sri Lanka's first utility-scale 100MW solar project. IFC also committed US$10m to New Anthoney's Farms, bringing total IFC investments advised by TWC Capital to up to US$28m across renewables and agribusiness.

TWC Capital advised WindForce PLC on an IFC commitment of up to $18m for Sri Lanka's first utility-scale 100 MW solar project, and advised New Anthoney's Farms on a separate $10m IFC financing, totalling up to $28m in development finance.

DFCC Bank PLC has signed an MoU with Co-Energi to provide customers with energy audits, technical advisory and tailored sustainable financing for energy-efficiency projects. The partnership aims to help businesses lower operating costs and boost long-term resilience.

Sampath Bank's proposed LKR10 billion Basel III-compliant subordinated green bonds were assigned a final National Long-Term Rating of 'A(lka)' by Fitch. The five- and seven-year bonds, to be listed on the CSE, will bolster Tier-2 capital and finance/refinance green projects and include a non-viability conversion clause.

Global FDI rose 6% to $1.6 trillion in 2025, driven by a small number of megaprojects—notably AI-related data centres—while developed-economy inflows rose 11% and developing economies grew only 2% to $901bn. The recovery is narrow and concentrated, with risks from trade uncertainty, geopolitics and high financing costs for 2026.

David Pieris Group will launch a five-day Social Empowerment Drive in Batticaloa from 15–19 July 2026, featuring a public trade fair and community programmes including entrepreneurship training, vocational and mechanical training, traffic awareness, scholarships, vehicle emission testing and a Green Climate Action initiative.

Hayleys Solar (part of the Hayleys group) was named Sri Lanka's Most Loved Solar Brand in LMD's Brands Annual 2026 for a second consecutive year, after surpassing 750 MW of installed solar capacity and delivering 30 MWh storage and 110+ MW wind projects.

Dividend · Rs 0.20 · XD Jul 20, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.2/share; XD 2026-07-20; record 2026-07-21; payable 2026-08-07; FY For the year 2026/2027

Access Solar and Access Real Estate have named javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga as their corporate brand ambassador in a sponsorship running through the 2028 Olympic Games. The partnership will provide financial and logistical support for Tharanga and his coach and is presented as part of the Access Group's commitment to sports development.

Developing Asia received $644 billion in FDI in 2025 (about 40% of global FDI and over 70% of flows to developing economies), according to UNCTAD. Investment shifted toward South‑East Asia and India (India +44%), with growing flows into semiconductors, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and energy‑transition technologies.

Roshane Perera, Deputy Managing Director – Energy of Hayleys Fentons (Hayleys PLC), won the Global CEO 45 Under 45 Leadership Excellence Platinum Award 2025. Since 2017 he grew Hayleys Solar to Rs.15bn revenue and ~800 staff, delivered 500+ MW rooftop capacity and a 300 MW utility-scale portfolio, and is on track for 750 MW by mid-2026.

Evolution Auto launched Auto Direct, a platform for buying, selling and trading-in used vehicles that offers market-based valuations, ownership checks and inspections to eliminate intermediaries. The service enables customers to trade up to EV brands represented by Evolution Auto and provides end-to-end transaction management.

John Keells CG Auto hosted BYD Vice President Liu Xueliang as BYD deepens its Sri Lanka commitment; BYD accounted for ~37% of new vehicle registrations and >70% of EV registrations in Sri Lanka within nine months of resumed imports.

John Keells CG Auto hosted BYD Vice President Liu Xueliang as BYD captured about 37% of new vehicle registrations and over 70% of electric-vehicle registrations in Sri Lanka within nine months of import resumption. The visit focused on strengthening sales, after-sales, charging infrastructure and the local NEV ecosystem.