News & market updates

Pepsi Street Kala returned for its second edition on 4 July 2026 at Excel World, Colombo, organised by Pepsi®/Varun Beverages, showcasing Sri Lankan art, music and food and drawing thousands of visitors.

Daraz Sri Lanka launches its 7.7 Super Savings Sale from 6 July (8 PM) to 17 July, offering vouchers worth Rs. 50 million, free delivery and discounts up to 80%. Brand partners include Hemas, and Commercial Bank and NTB cardholders get extra discounts during Brand Rush Hour and the campaign.

Finch Foods opened a premium travel-retail outlet in the Departure/Transit Duty Free area at Bandaranaike International Airport to showcase and sell premium Sri Lankan food products and gifting collections to international travellers.

New Anthoney's Feeds won four Gold Awards and one Silver Award at the NCQP 2026, announced 17 June. The result improves on its two-Gold performance in 2025 and reinforces the group's quality credentials and export recognition.

Atlas launched Sri Lanka's first SLS-certified water bottle, obtaining SLS certification for a children's plastic water bottle to assure safety, quality and reliability for parents.

International Distillers Ltd. hosted a guest lecture on Collective Leadership by Vidusha Nathavitharana at its Kaduwela plant on 22 June 2026. The session, attended by IDL's senior leadership, focused on collaboration, shared accountability and building high-performing teams.

Maharaja Foods PLC appointed Imran Furkan as chairman and added Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake as an independent non-executive director. Former chairman Guganathan Vijayananth becomes an executive non-independent director focusing on retail expansion while Vithyanath Guganathan remains managing director.

Health Ministry tightened front-of-pack sugar labelling for beverages: red logo now required for >8g sugar/100ml (down from 11g), amber covers 2.5–8g/100ml and green <2.5g/100ml; alternative symbol display options introduced.

Sri Lanka's national official poverty line rose to Rs. 17,315 per person per month in May 2026, up Rs. 198 from April and Rs. 894 year-on-year. Colombo recorded the highest district rate at Rs. 18,675 and Moneragala the lowest at Rs. 16,556.

Lanka Business TV held its 'Vyavasayaka' Business and Investment Summit in Panadura with over 250 attendees; speakers included NDB Wealth Management CEO Ruwan Perera and senior John Keells Properties and group executives. The broadcaster plans two more summits in Kandy and Kurunegala for 2026.

Uber has launched Uber Eats and Uber Rides in Ratnapura, expanding its delivery and ride-hailing services to the district. The launch provides access to food, groceries and transport for residents and visitors and creates new earning opportunities for local merchants, delivery partners and drivers.

Maharaja Foods PLC appointed Imran Furkan as Chairman and Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake as an Independent Non‑Executive Director; former Chairman Guganathan Vijayananth becomes Executive Non‑Independent Director focusing on retail expansion. The Board said the changes aim to strengthen governance and support the Group's next phase of growth.

Colombo market fell for a third session as the ASPI dropped 0.10% (21.79 pts) to 22,221.91 on heavy foreign net selling of Rs. 774.2 million. Top negative contributors included SPEN, SAMP, DFCC, CTC and CINS while CARG, DIAL, JKH and MELS supported the index; capital goods led turnover (55%).

Maharaja Foods (MFPE) appointed Imran Furkan as Chairman and added Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake as an Independent Non‑Executive Director. Vijayananth Guganathan moves to Executive Non‑Independent Director to focus on retail expansion while Vithyanath Guganathan remains Managing Director.

Beliatta Exim Holdings (Pvt) Ltd won the "Best Emerging Exporter" award at the Global Synergy Awards 2026. The company, which produces a range of Sri Lankan food products and operates an international branch in Japan, has expanded into retail with a mini supermarket in Ratmalana.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.19% (43.18 points) to 22,178.73 on turnover of Rs.1.54 billion. Asia Asset Finance announced GM and rights timetable and Associated Motor Finance said its merger with L B Finance will become effective by 31 July 2026.

ISSO – Prawn Crazy opened a 90-seat flagship in Canary Wharf, London, importing Lion Beer and Lion Stout from Sri Lanka for its launch. The concept pairs automated kitchen tech with a vertically integrated cold chain sourcing export-grade prawns from 150+ artisanal fishermen.

Coca-Cola returns as the official soft drink of FIFA World Cup 2026, extending a nearly 50-year partnership and marking its 140th anniversary. The global "Feel it all" campaign and trophy tour include regional activations for Sri Lanka, where fans will follow matches in the early hours.

GITA, together with the Indo‑Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has launched an India Trade Desk in Colombo to provide end-to-end, one-to-one advisory and market-entry support for Sri Lankan firms seeking to expand into India. The service targets SMEs and larger firms across textiles, food processing, ICT/BPM, tourism, pharma, logistics, manufacturing and renewable energy.

Government launches national El Niño response, directing ministries to submit contingency plans within two weeks after a 63% assessed probability of a strong El Niño. Plans must cover food, water and energy contingencies and official updates will be issued only by the Department of Meteorology.

Hemas Holdings PLC appointed Sabrina Esufally as an Executive Director, effective 1 July 2026. She is Managing Director of Hemas Consumer Brands and brings commercial and consumer leadership to the Group Board.

AB Mauri Lanka has launched BakeStar, a value-priced, island-wide range of bakery solutions (cake mixes, cake gel, baking powder, cocoa powder, etc.) designed to help bakers standardize quality, reduce waste and lower reliance on specialized labour.

Atlas launched Sri Lanka's first SLS‑certified water bottle, meeting the new national standard for plastic water bottles; certification followed rigorous SLSI testing to assure safety and quality for children's everyday use.

Hemas Holdings appointed Sabrina Esufally as an Executive Director effective 1 July 2026. She is Managing Director of Hemas Consumer Brands, has led the group's consumer and pharmaceutical initiatives since 2019, and will add commercial and consumer leadership to the board.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged a whole-of-government, science-based National Climate Resilience strategy, warning of a limited window before a likely strong 2026–27 El Niño and proposing anticipatory governance, reservoir/water management, climate-smart agriculture, early warning systems and a disaster intelligence centre.

Headline CCPI inflation rose to 6.8% YoY in June 2026, a three‑year high. CBSL said non-food inflation accelerated to 8.4% and food inflation to 3.6%, raised the policy rate in late May, and expects inflation to remain above the 5% target before easing amid elevated uncertainty from the Middle East conflict.

Hayleys Agriculture Holdings launched the 'Where Value Blossoms' campaign to position itself as a diversified, export-focused agricultural group (HJS Condiments ≈60% of Sri Lanka's processed fruit & veg exports). The company highlights digital platform OMNIX, sustainability measures (27% of water from sustainable sources), a 12,500+ outgrower network and a Haychem Bangladesh subsidiary.

The Shoppes at City of Dreams Sri Lanka hosted Cake Date on 27 June, drawing over 200 guests, about 55 bakers and more than 100 cakes. The community retail event involved partners such as Dilmah and awarded prizes including LKR 50,000 (Elegant Charms) and LKR 100,000 (Spa Ceylon).

Sri Lanka's inflation rose to 6.8% in June 2026, the highest since June 2023 and close to the Central Bank's 7% upper target. The rise was driven by a ~47% fuel price hike and higher food and transport costs; the Central Bank raised its policy rate by 100bp.