News & market updates

Bank of Ceylon launched BOC Flex – Tap & Pay on 9 July 2026, Sri Lanka's first mobile banking wallet‑based contactless payment solution enabling virtual cards for NFC-enabled POS and secure online payments.

Colombo Stock Exchange picked up midday; ASPI rose 0.32% to 21,768.20 and S&P SL200 gained 0.36% to 6,088.29. Turnover was 905 million rupees and top positive contributors were John Keells Holdings, Haycarb and Dialog Axiata.

Lanka Aluminium Industries PLC hosted a full-day factory visit in Ekala with the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects as part of its 'Specification Writing for Architects' programme to raise awareness of aluminium extrusion products and solutions.

Vivon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was named "Best Emerging Prescription Based Cosmeceutical Company of the Year" (Small – Platinum) at the BWIO Awards 2026. The award highlights its growing presence in prescription cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and wellness markets and international partnerships.

Dr. K.A. Buddhima Indu Abeygunawardena was named BWIO Women Icon of the Year 2026 for her contributions to Sri Lanka's apparel industry at the BWIO Awards on 16 May. She has more than 25 years' experience in apparel and currently works as a consultant in process excellence and customer interface.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC participated in a seven-day Professional Development Program on Women Leadership in Banking (22–28 June 2026) run by BIMT Campus with AIT Extension in Thailand. The programme covered strategic leadership, AI, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Hirdaramani Apparel and the University of Moratuwa launched a three-year research collaboration to convert textile waste into durable, lightweight sustainable ceiling panels aimed at commercial scalability and circular-economy goals.

Hayleys PLC's subsidiary Hayleys Aventura commissioned Sri Lanka's first outdoor automated rotary parking system. The system rotates platforms to retrieve vehicles within a maximum of 2.5 minutes and complements the firm's portfolio of automated parking solutions for urban developments.

Hambantota International Port (HIP) recorded record June throughput of 90,219 vehicles and 80,325 TEUs, driven by operational preparedness and customer engagement amid shipping-route uncertainty in the Middle East.

Government and stakeholders launched immediate and long-term plans to clean and beautify Colombo's Beira Lake, including an immediate seawater flushing sponsored by Nahil Wijesuriya and longer-term restoration funded in the Government Budget. The measures are intended to protect tourism, public health and the urban environment.

TiE Colombo has partnered with Stanford Seed to offer the five-month Stanford Seed Spark program to Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to sharpen strategy and scale globally; applications are open until 25 July 2026 (places limited, reviewed rolling).

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors will hold the Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026 on 22 July at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, convening 350+ directors and business leaders to discuss corporate governance, digital transformation and sustainable growth. Registration details and fees published.

Singapore FinTech Festival 2026 will be held 18–20 November 2026 at Singapore EXPO, focusing on translating fintech ideas into action with emphasis on AI, tokenisation and digital finance. The Fintech Association of Sri Lanka is an official Community Partner for the seventh consecutive year.

The 13th CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards will be held on 10 September 2026 at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, recognising excellence in investment research, investor relations and corporate governance across Sri Lanka's capital markets.

Bank of Ceylon launched BOC Flex – Tap & Pay, Sri Lanka's first mobile banking wallet-based contactless payment solution on 9 July 2026. The wallet uses virtual cards, auto top-up and NFC support to enable contactless POS and online payments, boosting digital payments and competitive pressure on other banks.

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd launched Beechat, Sri Lanka's first generative AI‑powered trilingual insurance assistant offering 24/7 policy access and real-time claim updates in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The assistant is available via SLICGL's website and customer portal to streamline customer service and digital engagement.

Siyapatha Finance PLC opened its 64th branch in Bandarawela as part of its 2026 expansion strategy. The branch will provide leasing, fixed deposits, gold financing, business and personal loans, factoring and bill payment (Smart Pay) services to local customers and SMEs.

CA Sri Lanka and the Colombo Stock Exchange on 6 July launched an SME Creditworthiness Rating Framework, the SME Connect Awards and The Entrepreneur magazine to standardise SME credit assessments and boost access to finance. Workshops and guidelines will support adoption.

Rupee closed at 336.00/60 to the US dollar, slightly weaker than 336.00/30 the previous day; government bond yields rose, with the 15.12.2029 note at 11.05/15% and the 15.12.2032 note at 11.65/75%.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.60% to 21,697.72 as markets slowed amid escalation in the Middle East and global instability. Seylan Bank, Lanka IOC and Malwatte Valley Plantations were among gainers while Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Lion Brewery and Hayleys led declines; Vidullanka authorised a first gross dividend of Rs0.20 per share to be dispatched by Aug 7, 2026.

Parliament approved a new four-tier National Tariff Policy (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) and two export orders covering 8,225 HS codes, replacing the prior 0/15/20% bands. The government also set a phased CESS removal through 2029 to lower intermediate and consumer import costs and support exports.

The Committee on Public Finance approved submitting to Parliament a Customs Ordinance resolution and two Export Development Act orders to implement a National Tariff Policy that restructures import duties into four bands (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) from 1 April 2026 and reduces ceramic-tile taxes to 20% by 2029. The reforms aim to simplify tariffs, phase out para-tariffs by 2029 and support the EDB’s target to double exports from US$18bn to US$36bn over five years.

Sri Lanka will begin paddy procurement for the 2026 Yala season from July 15, with the Treasury allocating Rs6 billion and state banks providing Rs10 billion in Odapana loans. The Paddy Marketing Board holds about 120,000 mt, with tenders to release ~60,000 mt and 20,000 mt supplied to Sathosa.

The weekly Treasury Bill auction raised the full Rs.100 billion with weighted average yields broadly steady: 91-day 10.21%, 182-day 10.30% and 364-day 10.21%. Secondary bond yields rose and the rupee weakened to ~LKR 335.75/336.20 amid renewed Middle-East tensions and higher oil prices.

The ASPI fell 0.61% (133.80 pts) to 21,828.50, extending its slide to a seventh straight session. Market turnover was Rs.2.25bn on 210.1m shares with foreign net selling of Rs.22.5m and major negative contributors including Sampath, Hayleys, Dialog, LOLC and HNB.

Yesol Lanka, a BOI-approved Puttalam venture, converts fish-processing waste into exported fishmeal, fish oil and paste, shipping 30,000–35,000 tonnes annually and earning $2–2.5m. The $3m plant can process up to 100 mt/day, employs 45 directly and pays collectors Rs.20–30/kg.

UAE investors make up 19% of foreign investor interest in Port City Colombo, with Singapore, China and the UK at 13% each, while South Asian investors—notably India—remain underrepresented; officials see this as a key growth opportunity. The development is an SEZ offering single-window approvals, unrestricted foreign ownership, multi-currency transactions and fiscal incentives.

Hela Apparel Holdings (HELA.N0000) has appointed Emerald Investments Ltd to manage its Egypt manufacturing facility under a Management Service Agreement signed 7 June through 31 December 2026, with an option for Emerald to acquire the unit; the move aims to address working capital constraints and maintain production.

Arcasia Investment & Trading Ltd and ATX Partners have entered binding agreements to acquire a 50.16% controlling stake (1.88 billion shares) in Industrial Asphalts, triggering a Mandatory Offer; the offer price and terms will be announced after SEC approval.

Brent crude rose 5.3% to $78.10/bbl and WTI gained 5.4% to $74.31 after renewed US–Iran hostilities, triggering a global market sell-off. Major U.S., European and Asian indices fell as investors reassessed geopolitical risks to energy supplies.