News & market updates

National inflation (NCPI) rose to 2.7% in October 2025 from 2.1% in September; food inflation increased to 4.1% and non-food year-on-year inflation rose to 1.5%.

Bairaha Farms will implement a 1-for-5 share split pending EGM approval on 17 Dec, with a record date of 19 Dec; trading will be suspended 18–24 Dec and subdivided shares start trading on 26 Dec. The split raises issued shares from 17.6m to 88m while stated capital stays at Rs. 536.3m; last close Rs. 450.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Friday — ASPI down 0.53% to 22,982.72 and S&P SL20 down 0.28% to 6,364.61; turnover was Rs3.81bn led by food, beverage & tobacco, with HNB, Bukit Darah, Ambeon Holdings and Senkadagala Finance among top negative contributors.

GIZ and government partners held 'Embracing Diversity' in Colombo, connecting more than 100 jobseekers with disabilities to employers. Over 100 CVs were submitted across hospitality, ICT, retail, manufacturing and services, and several firms began on-site screening.

Elephant House Ice Cream (Ceylon Cold Stores) was crowned Brand of the Year at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2025 on 13 November, also winning Gold for Product Brand of the Year and Silver for Local Brand of the Year. John Keells said the awards reflect its consumer-focused investments and brand-strengthening efforts.

The Sri Lanka Business Council UAE opened the inaugural SLBC EXPO Pavilion 2025 in Dubai on 21 November to showcase Sri Lankan brands across sectors, with DFCC Bank among participating exhibitors.

Colombo Bourse closed higher as ASPI rose 0.33% (75.10 pts) to 23,104.96 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.32% to 6,382.18 on turnover of Rs.3.49 billion, with foreign investors net selling Rs.40.9m. Sampath, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah, John Keells and Carson were key positive contributors while Commercial Bank and CIC rose and Melstacorp fell.

Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka and SPAR Sri Lanka launched Coca‑Cola's universal returnable glass bottles at SPAR's Thalawathugoda store, rolling them out across all SPAR supermarket outlets. The move expands CCBSL's returnable packaging programme following the earlier LRGB rollout and 2024 universal sizes.

Bairaha Farms PLC reaffirmed its commitment to antibiotic-free, chemical-free chicken, using peracetic acid (PAA) instead of chlorine for processing and citing ISO 22000, HACCP and GMP certifications to support export-market standards.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon is launching a festive card promotion offering up to 70% discounts at over 642 merchant partners from 15 November to 31 December 2025. Cardholders also get Easy Payment Plans up to 60 months and call & convert installment options, plus premium-card exclusives.

Manel Gertrude Rajkumar, Chairperson of D & R Exports (Pvt) Ltd, was honoured with the “Legendary Woman of the Year” Award (Large-Scale Category) at the Women Legend Awards 2025. D & R Exports is a long-standing Sri Lankan food & beverage manufacturer and exporter with a broad FMCG product range sold across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment is holding an emigrate workers' trade fair at Diyatha Uyana on 20 Nov 2025 with over 60 stalls selling clothes, bags, shoes, spices, beauty items, furniture, local medicines and food from returning emigrant entrepreneurs.

A Vietnamese embassy delegation led by Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam visited Sri Lanka’s Northern Province (17–19 Nov 2025) to explore cooperation and invite Vietnamese investment in agriculture, aquaculture, agro-processing, tourism, infrastructure and renewable energy. The visit referenced the $1bn bilateral trade target and sought technical cooperation and capacity building.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board hosted a 17–22 Nov EU inward trade delegation of 12 Fair Trade importers (including Colruyt) to promote spices, tea, coconut and other Fair Trade products, targeting an increase of about $4–6m in EU orders for 2025–26.

Colombo bourse closed marginally down as the ASPI fell 0.09% (21.80 pts) to 23,029.86 on turnover of over Rs. 3.8bn and net foreign outflow of Rs. 4.7m. Major negative contributors included Commercial Bank, Dialog, Colombo Dockyard, DFCC and NDB, while J.F. Packaging rose on debut.

J.F. Packaging PLC (ticker JFP.N0000) commences trading today after an IPO that raised LKR 600 million from 51,724,144 shares at LKR 11.60 each, oversubscribed 6.3x. Proceeds will be used to settle selected term loans and partially repay revolving import loans to strengthen the balance sheet and reduce finance costs.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported the Manufacturing PMI rose to 61 in October (from 55.4) and the Services PMI to 66 (from 58.7), signalling accelerated expansion. Growth was led by food & beverages, wholesale and retail trade, and stronger financial services, with a positive outlook ahead of the festive season and rising tourist arrivals.

J.F. Packaging PLC (JFP.N0000) begins trading today on the Colombo Stock Exchange after an IPO of 51,724,144 shares at Rs.11.60 that raised Rs.600 million and was 6.3x oversubscribed. Proceeds will settle selected term loans and partially repay revolving import loans to strengthen the balance sheet and reduce finance costs.

Global Synergy Awards 2026 launched by Global Synergy Tec (Pvt) Ltd; applications are open and the ceremony will be held on 21 February 2026 at Water's Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. The awards include categories covering tourism, construction, food & beverage and a CSR project with the Ministry of Education.

International Distillers Limited (IDL) has partnered with Colombo Fashion Week Luxury Edit 2025 as the event's official beverage partner.

Hayleys PLC's Advantis Group held the Advantis Awards 2025, recognising operational and ESG achievements including a new 3PL distribution-centre contract, conversion of the M.V. Melissa to a Colombo–Malé feeder vessel, onboard solar integration and a 100% on-time humanitarian logistics record.

Daraz Sri Lanka’s 11.11 sale served 300,000 customers in the first hour. Early data show strong demand across electronics, FMCG and fashion, with 53% of buyers outside Western Province, 25% new users, 47% using wallets/cards and first delivery completed by 7 AM.

Ceylon Agro Industries Ltd (Prima Group Sri Lanka) will sponsor the Prima Under-15 Sri Lanka Youth League 2025 for the 18th consecutive year. The 50-over tournament with five Super Provincial teams will be played in Colombo from 19–28 November 2025, with semis on 26 Nov and the final on 28 Nov.

Maliban has partnered with Kandy Sports Club to support and uplift rugby in Sri Lanka. The partnership aims to nurture local talent, promote community engagement and continue Maliban's broader sports sponsorship initiatives.

Sri Lanka's manufacturing PMI rose to 61.0 in October from 55.4 in September, driven broadly by food & beverages as firms ramped up production for the upcoming festive season. Employment and stocks of purchases increased, while suppliers' delivery times remained lengthened.

Sri Lanka's services PMI rose to 66.0 in October 2025 from 58.7 in September, led by wholesale and retail trade and stronger financial services. Business activity, new orders and employment expanded and expectations were supported by rising tourist arrivals and festive demand.