News & market updates

Sunshine Holdings PLC and India’s Zydus Lifesciences will form a $20m joint venture, Zydus Sunshine Lifesciences Ltd., to build a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant on nearly four acres in BOI Horana to boost local drug production and reduce imports.

Sunshine Holdings, in a JV with Zydus Lifesciences (Zydus Sunshine Lifesciences Pvt Ltd), will build a US$20 million pharmaceutical manufacturing plant on nearly four acres in the BOI zone at Horana to supply Sri Lanka's retail market. The project will focus on local production, technology transfer and job creation under NMRA oversight.

Sunshine Holdings PLC and Zydus Lifesciences formed Zydus Sunshine Lifesciences Pvt Ltd with an investment commitment of over USD 20 million to build a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at the BOI Horana to boost local production and reduce import reliance.

The Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association held its 9th AGM on 23 June 2026 and elected Infiyaz M. Ali (Director, Healthguard Pharmacy Ltd) as President, with Mahesh Wijewardena (Group CEO, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC) as Senior Vice President and Kumar De Silva (CEO, SPAR SL) as Vice President. The AGM adopted the 2025/26 annual report and previewed the Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2026.

NCQP 2026 was held on 17 June in Colombo with 2,000+ delegates from 100+ organisations and 450 improvement teams; the Sunil G. Wijesinha QC Circle Excellence Awards went to Team ThreadX (MAS Bodywear) and Team Saviya (Elastomeric Engineering).

Exterminators PLC launched MACCP X, an AI-powered mosquito intelligence platform providing nationwide disease surveillance, environmental monitoring, risk mapping and predictive mosquito management across Sri Lanka. Developed with Sentario UK, the platform is the first phase of an AI-enabled mosquito early warning ecosystem for public health and pest management professionals.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum centred on implementing the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA to boost trade and investment after bilateral trade reached USD 649m in 2025 (+48% vs 2024). Delegates highlighted opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, IT, healthcare and tourism and urged streamlined customs and predictable FTA implementation.

Exterminators PLC launched MACCP X™, an AI-powered mosquito intelligence platform delivering nationwide disease surveillance, environmental monitoring, risk mapping and predictive mosquito management across Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's total exports for Jan–May 2026 reached US$7,393.39 million (+7.56% YoY), with May exports of US$1,570.64 million (+18.34% YoY). Growth was broad-based across merchandise and services, led by apparel, coconut products, rubber gloves, electrical/electronic components and ICT/BPM, while tea slipped marginally.

A Cabinet-appointed committee reviewing Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Agreements is expected to submit recommendations in July, and an India Trade Desk has been launched to help Sri Lankan firms tap the Indian market. Bilateral trade reached about $5.8bn in 2025, with Sri Lankan exports to India over $1bn and imports $4.3bn.

Lanka Hospitals PLC launched “Hope”, Sri Lanka’s first private-sector Haematology Day Unit at its Blood Cancer Centre, providing same-day chemotherapy, immunotherapy, transfusions and intensive monitoring. The unit is designed to reduce inpatient admissions, lower infection risk and improve patient convenience.

Asiri Central Hospital (Asiri Surgical/Asiri Medical) completed its first successful liver transplant. The milestone enhances the group's advanced-care capabilities and may reduce the need for patients to seek transplant treatment overseas.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum highlighted opportunities from the new Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA, with bilateral trade at USD 649m in 2025 (up 48%) and commitments to boost supply chains, investment and trade across food processing, logistics, IT, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing.

The ASPI edged up 0.01% to 22,256.49 with turnover above Rs.1.56bn and foreign investors net-selling Rs.225mn. Hemas, NDB and Hayleys Fibre were top turnover contributors (Hemas and Hayleys up, Panasian Power down).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat, with the ASPI up 0.01% at 22,256.49 and the S&P SL20 down 0.03% at 6,193.65. Top positives were LB Finance, National Development Bank, Aitken Spence and Nawaloka; declines came from Melstacorp, Central Finance, Sunshine and Windforce; turnover Rs 1.56bn.

Sri Lanka ranked 49th in Travel And Tour World’s Top 50 Medical Tourism Destinations for 2026. The ranking highlights its integrated healthcare journeys combining advanced clinical services (cardiology, oncology, fertility) with Ayurveda and recovery hubs in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Bentota.

Lions International Multiple District 306 is leading Ditwah flood rebuilding, mobilising nearly US$500,000 including a Major Catastrophe Grant from LCIF to repair homes, schools, hospitals and community infrastructure.

Sri Lanka's NCPI inflation rose to 5.4% in May 2026 from 4.7% in April. Food inflation increased to 1.5% and non-food inflation to 8.6%; the 12-month moving average rose to 2.4% and the NCPI was up 1.2% month-on-month.

Softlogic Capital PLC has appointed Imran Furkan to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Furkan is CEO of Tresync (Australia) and currently serves on the boards of Asiri Surgical Hospital PLC, Odel PLC and Maharaja Foods PLC.

Sarva Colombo appointed Sajith Silva as Chief Executive Officer, promoting him after a 20-year career at the agency during which he led media planning, brand management and client relationships across multiple sectors.

Joseph Fraser Hospital highlights its expertise and advanced maternal and neonatal care — including a NICU, HDU, modern labour suites, upgraded operating theatres, a blood bank and laboratory — and notes Dr. Rameez Furukan's role in managing high-risk pregnancies and specialist training.

Softlogic Life Insurance PLC reported Rs. 40 billion in gross written premiums in 2025 and Rs. 12.3 billion in Q1 2026 (37% YoY), with a 19.3% market share and Rs. 76 billion in assets as at Mar 31, 2026. The company launched 'Health for Life' lifetime health coverage and noted its acquisition of Allianz Life Lanka plus a $15m capital investment from Norfund and OP Finnfund.

Aurum HealthTech's Dr. Paw platform provided real-time digital health monitoring and a centralized electronic health record for 'Aloka' during a peace walk from Anuradhapura to Colombo; a comprehensive digital health report was presented to DAPH, SLVA and University of Peradeniya officials.

Softlogic Life (AAIC.N0000) reported Rs.40bn Gross Written Premiums in 2025 and Rs.12.3bn GWP in Q1-2026 (37% YoY), with 19.3% market share and total assets of Rs.76bn as at March 31, 2026. It announced the Allianz Life acquisition, a USD15m DFI investment, digital investments and launched 'Health for Life', a lifetime health coverage product.

Huawei launched the Alliance on Healthcare & Education AI Digitalization 2.0 (“AHEAD”) at its 2026 Global Education & Healthcare Partners Convention to drive AI-led collaboration and digital transformation in education and healthcare. The Partner Alliance 2.0 will focus on trend insight, empowerment, solution co-creation, marketing, opportunity sharing and expansion.

A Peking University delegation led by Prof. Wang Weijia held high-level meetings in Colombo to explore deeper Sri Lanka–China cooperation, prioritizing trade and FDI in logistics, energy, tourism and Port City Colombo and potential areas like high‑tech manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

UN projects that by 2050 one in four Sri Lankans will be over 60, and districts already show sizable retirement-cost gaps (Colombo needs Rs. 18,044/month vs Monaragala Rs. 15,997 as of Jan 2026). Rising inflation, healthcare costs and outward migration are straining retiree incomes, and the piece highlights life insurers as providers of structured retirement solutions.

Marlbo Trading Company has introduced Holmatro Rescue's advanced rescue equipment to Sri Lanka and will host a seminar with live demonstrations to train fire, rescue, police, military and other emergency responders.

Wickramarachchi Opticians and Hearing Care celebrates its 50th anniversary, operating more than 50 branches nationwide. The company comprises four divisions (optical, hearing, speech-language pathology and biomedical equipment) and has supported over 1,100 cochlear implant procedures since 2004.