News & market updates

The EDB hosted an EU inward delegation (17–22 Nov) to promote Sri Lankan Fair Trade products and is targeting an increase in EU orders of about US$4–6 million for 2025–26. EU buyers showed interest in spices, rice, coconut products, tropical fruits and tea, with plans to link exporters to supermarket chains.

Pyramid Wilmar was the Bronze Sponsor of the Indira Cancer Trust's TLC Triathlon Series 2025, a national breast-cancer awareness triathlon held in Oct–Nov 2025 across Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, Matara and Colombo to promote women’s health.

Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC launched the second stage of its 'Swadeshi Khomba Mihithala Sathkaraya' CSR program to plant kohomba (margosa) trees in temples, beginning with a planting at Sri Sudarshanarama Purana Viharaya in Kiribathgoda.

UNDP and Hirdaramani Apparel signed an MoU to launch phase two of the Integrated Backyard Poultry and Market Development project to expand market-oriented home gardens and small-scale poultry in Vavuniya. The first phase supported more than 150 families and the new phase will extend activities near Hirdaramani’s operations.

JF Packaging (JFP-N-0000) will begin trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange on 19 November after its IPO was oversubscribed 6.3x; the issue offered 51,724,144 shares at LKR 11.60 aiming to raise LKR 600 million. Proceeds will be used to repay term and revolving import loans to reduce finance costs and strengthen the balance sheet.

Asian Paints Causeway relaunched its upgraded Classique GLO interior emulsion across dealer events in Sri Lanka, featuring German polymer-based Anti-Smudge and Anti-Scuff technology and a 5-year warranty to position it as a premium, longer-lasting interior paint.

Telesonic Lanka won Midea’s first-ever Sustainability Pioneer Award at Midea’s Global Strategic Partner Summit in China. The company’s sustainability work includes planting over 75,000 trees and nurturing 50,000 annually through its eco-restoration nursery.

Average coconut price dipped 0.12% while nuts sold at the weekly auction plunged 88% to 52,106, the lowest weekly volume since Feb 13; the average price per 1,000 nuts was Rs.122,336.35. Local wholesale, farmgate and retail price ranges, plus copra and coconut oil price bands, were also reported.

Hayleys PLC reported 1H Profit Before Tax of Rs. 13.33 billion (up 5% YoY). Consolidated revenue rose 14% to Rs. 269.53 billion for the six months (2Q revenue +13%), PAT and EBITDA improved, it acquired a substantial stake in Harischandra Mills PLC and retained a 'AAA (lka)' Fitch rating.

Colombo market recovered from early losses to finish the week essentially flat, with the ASPI down 0.01% at 23,459.75 and the S&P SL20 down 0.34% at 6,435.93. Market turnover was over Rs. 5.6 billion, foreigners were net sellers (~Rs. 5.9m), and heavy activity was led by banking, capital goods and food sectors.

Ceylon Grain Elevators posted revenue up 22% to Rs 7.3bn and net profit of Rs 936mn (EPS 15.60), driven by stronger broiler day-old chick and processed chicken sales from its Three Acre Farms unit.

Hayleys PLC reported Profit Before Tax of Rs.13.33 bn for the six months to 31 Mar 2026 (up 5% y‑o‑y) with H1 revenue rising 14% to Rs.269.53 bn. The group expanded into mobility and supermarkets and acquired a substantial stake in Harischandra Mills PLC.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally lower: ASPI fell 0.01% to 23,459.75 and S&P SL20 fell 0.34% to 6,435.93. Top negatives included Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, Diesel & Motor Engineering and Hayleys; Dipped Products posted a Sept-quarter net profit of LKR 920m and rose, while Ceylon Tobacco said volumes fell and its stock dipped.

Bairaha Farms PLC (BFL.N0000) marks its 50th anniversary, cites domestic growth and export progress with exports to the Maldives and conditional clearance for Singapore, and reports 2024 sector figures (chicken +10% to 258,540 mt; day-old chicks +13% to ~188m). The piece also flags challenges from reliance on imported feed (maize/soy) and high import levies that affect competitiveness.

Maliban Group's sales team was among the winners at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, recognized for exceptional 2024/25 sales performance. Maliban Biscuits, Maliban Milk and Little Lion competed together as a unified team, highlighting the Group's cross‑unit sales strength.

CA Sri Lanka's Budget Seminar analysed the 2026 Budget, highlighting abolition of SVAT, introduction of e-invoicing and lowering the VAT/SSCL registration threshold from Rs.60m to Rs.36m — measures that may cause cash-flow pressure for exporters. The IRD said two special export refund units will expedite refunds within 45 days and low/medium-risk taxpayers will get refunds without pre-verification.

Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC.N0000) said volumes fell in the September 2025 quarter after higher taxes, reporting earnings of 6.98 billion rupees (36.77 rupees/share), down from 7.70 billion a year earlier. Turnover rose to 52.79 billion rupees and profit before tax improved to 13.73 billion rupees, while income tax rose to 6.8 billion rupees after cigarette taxes were raised.

Lanka Milk Foods (LMF) launched 'Suddhi' Fresh Milk, a new fresh milk product intended to strengthen its dairy offering and support local farmers. The launch builds on LMF's 60-year legacy and emphasizes quality, sustainability and local sourcing.

Maliban will be the Title Sponsor of the Inter Club Rugby League and Clifford Cup Knockout Championship 2025/2026, supporting domestic rugby and grassroots development across Sri Lanka.

Asian Paints Causeway sponsored and concluded the Gajaba Supercross 2025 at Saliyapura, Anuradhapura, staging 24 races with winners including Ashan Silva (Group SL-S Cars up to 3500 cc) and Jacques Gunawardena (Group SL-H Cars up to 2000 cc). The sponsorship is presented as part of Asian Paints Causeway's commitment to reviving Sri Lankan motorsport and promoting its Auto Refinish automotive coatings business.

International Lifestyle Brand (Private) Limited is expanding its Subway and Segafredo outlets in Colombo, opening a new Subway at Colombo City Centre in October and another at Colombo Port City on New Year's Eve; Segafredo opened at BIA in 2023 and at One Galle Face Mall in December 2024.

Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC launched its ESG Roadmap 2030, "Progress Through Purpose," committing to renewable energy (solar) and GHG reductions, waste reduction and nationwide e-waste collection across 400+ outlets and broader social and governance initiatives aligned with Hayleys Lifecode and the SDGs.

ISMM held National Supply Chain Day 2025 on 24 October 2025, featuring technical sessions, a CEO Forum and the National Supply Chain Excellence Awards focused on innovation and resilience. Speakers from Singer (SINS.N0000), DIMO (DIMO.N0000) and Lion Brewery (LION.N0000) joined sessions on digital transformation and AI.

Sri Lanka participated in the 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, showcasing exporters including Ceylon Tea and debuting Ceylon Cold Stores’ Elephant House beverage brand at the event that concluded on 10 Nov 2025.

Several listed firms, including Hayleys (HAYL.N0000), Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000), Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS.N0000), Alumex (ALUM.N0000), Dipped Products (DIPD.N0000) and Lion Brewery (LION.N0000), received awards or commendations at the ISMM National Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2025.

Dividend · Rs 37.00 · XD Nov 21, 2025

Third Interim dividend of LKR 37/share; XD 2025-11-21; record 2025-11-23; payable 2025-12-11; FY 2025

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.33% to 23,659.70, led by capital goods and banks with turnover of Rs1.85bn and Rs1.58bn. Top contributors included John Keells, Senkadagala Finance and Aitken Spence, and Three Acre Farms said it will merge two subsidiaries.

The piece argues that Socialist China's Belt & Road approach has supported about 30% of recent global stabilization efforts (IMF) and presents that model as a way for Sri Lanka to attract FDI ahead of the 2026 budget. The author suggests studying China's FDI policies and the Hainan Free Trade Port Law for lessons.

The EDB organized Sri Lanka’s national pavilion at the 8th CIIE in Shanghai (5–10 Nov 2025), featuring 16 companies across food, tea, gems and consumer goods and drawing strong international buyer interest and new business inquiries.