News & market updates

Colombo stocks closed flat with the ASPI up 0.01% at 21,132.12 and market turnover of Rs 1.41 billion; banks led turnover at Rs 411.6 million and Food, Beverage & Tobacco followed with Rs 308.7 million. Notable movers included Melstacorp, HNB, Pan Asia, Central Finance and Aitken Spence; Lanka Realty Investments disclosed an Rs 800m related-party loan settlement.

The CSE opened higher with the ASPI up 0.07% at 21,187.22 and the S&P SL20 up 0.10% at 5,948.74; market turnover exceeded Rs.2bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.15.7m). John Keells, Hayleys and HNB were key contributors while capital goods and banking led turnover.

Ceylon Cold Stores reported a profit of Rs.1.06bn for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, down 3% y/y, and approved a first interim dividend of Rs.1.08 per share. Group revenue rose 18% to Rs.50.78bn while net finance costs increased 26% to Rs.727.76m.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat, ASPI up 0.07% to 21,187.22 with turnover of 2.07 billion rupees; capital goods led turnover at 866 million rupees.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.57% (up 120.83 pts) to 21,293.57 at midday, with market turnover LKR 264 million and capital goods leading turnover at LKR 80.9 million. Ceylon Cold Stores reported June-quarter profit of LKR 1.063 billion, down 3% year-on-year.

Dividend · Rs 1.08 · XD Aug 5, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 1.08/share; XD 2026-08-05; record 2026-08-06; payable 2026-08-24; FY 2026/27

ASPI fell 0.29% to 21,145.73 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.03% to 5,945.01; turnover exceeded Rs.3.2bn with foreign net inflow of Rs.79.8mn and a Rs.2.3bn crossing in Cargills driving volume. Negative contributors included CINS, COMB, RICH, CARS and HARI; Melstacorp, NTB and HNB were also active.

Ceylon Cold Stores' Elephant House partnered with Eco Spindles on 30 June 2026 to clean Ruwanwelisaya, collecting about 350 kg of plastic bottles that will be processed into monofilaments and yarn. The CSR drive involved 60 volunteers and aimed to raise visitor awareness on waste segregation.

Colombo market fell to a three-month low as the ASPI slipped 0.50% (107.39 pts) to 21,424.99 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.37% (22.04 pts) to 6,000.15. Foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.126.9m; main negative contributors included Carson, Melstacorp, Vallibel One and John Keells, while Lanka IOC, Ceylon Cold Stores and Dipped Products led turnover.

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat as the ASPI rose 0.01% to 21,426.43, with banks leading turnover at 327.4 million rupees. Haycarb, John Keells and Ceylon Cold Stores were top gainers while HNB, Central Finance and Commercial Bank were top decliners; Digital Mobility Solutions disclosed ESOP allotments and its shares closed down 0.30%.

CSE ended an eight-session slide as the ASPI rose 0.31% to 21,765.56 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.25% to 6,081.43. Turnover topped Rs.2bn with foreign net outflows of Rs.673mn; top contributors included Ceylon Cold Stores, Haycarb, John Keells and RIL, while banks (Commercial Bank, Sampath) led turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Friday as the ASPI rose 0.31% (67.84 pts) to 21,765.56, ending a week-long losing streak; turnover was 2 billion rupees. Top positive contributors were Ceylon Cold Stores, Haycarb and Dialog Axiata.

Colombo market opened deep in the red: ASPI fell 0.44% (98.08 pts) to 22,080.65 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.44% as foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 315.8m. Main negatives included Ceylinco, HNB, RIL and Central Finance; utilities (led by Windforce), capital goods and banking led turnover.

Colombo market extended losses as the ASPI fell 1.03% for the week to 22,178.73 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.85% to 6,194.22. Market turnover topped Rs.1.5bn with foreigners net sellers of Rs.157.9m and notable moves from SAMP, CINS, JKH, RCL (weak) and DIAL, BUKI, CARS, AEL, COMB (positive/active).

Government aims to build coconut and food & beverage exports to USD 3.0bn in two years (USD 2.0bn coconut, USD 1.0bn food & beverage) and pledged incentives, support for value-added production, streamlined raw-material imports and industry establishment in the Northern Province.

Colombo Stock Exchange trended up intraday, with the ASPI +0.26% (55.89 pts) to 21,603.06 and the S&P SL20 +0.16% (9.59 pts) to 6,010.27; market turnover was LKR 511.7m, led by capital goods (LKR 32.3m). Top positive contributors included Melstacorp, Hayleys, John Keells and Lanka IOC; Commercial Bank, Malwatte Valley Plantations and Ceylon Cold Stores were top negatives.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.67% to 21,547.17 with net foreign inflows of Rs. 22.6 million. Gains were led by selected blue-chip counters and heavy turnover in capital goods and food & beverage names, with notable moves in DIAL, BREW, CCS, ABAN and JKH.

The SAPLING policy dialogue to advance South Asia's food processing industry opened in Ahmedabad with ~200 participants and 16 Sri Lankan delegates, including representatives of John Keells Holdings; the event spotlights innovations such as smart cold chains, digital traceability and sustainable packaging.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat with the ASPI down 0.07% at 21,744; market turnover was Rs.2.98bn, led by capital goods at Rs.1.26bn. HNB Finance issued a notification on rights issue application procedures for shareholders (record date June 3) and its shares closed down 1.11% at Rs.8.90.

ASPI fell 0.75% (166.55 pts) to 22,011.10, extending losses to a third session with turnover over Rs.2bn and foreigners net sellers of Rs.410.26mn. Negative contributors included Dialog, Sampath, Ceylon Beverage, Ceylon Cold Stores and Colombo Dockyard; Teejay Lanka, John Keells and Commercial Bank led turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.75% to 22,011.10. Top contributors included John Keells and Lion Brewery on the upside, while Dialog Axiata, Sampath Bank, Ceylon Beverage Holdings and Ceylon Cold Stores led declines; Maharaja Foods opened a new outlet and its shares fell 2.23%.

John Keells Holdings' Consumer Foods Sector graduated 36 participants from the "Aspire" Executive Development Programme 2025, strengthening leadership capability across its food brands. The sector ran the programme with the Postgraduate Institute of Management to build strategic, cross-functional and business leadership skills.

Colombo Stock Exchange dipped midday as the ASPI fell 0.10% to 22,155.45 with market turnover at 981 million rupees; Consumer Durables & Apparel led turnover at 348.1 million rupees. Central Finance, Hemas and Browns gained, while Access Engineering, Ceylon Cold Stores and Sampath Bank were down.

Colombo market fell for a second day as ASPI slipped 0.39% to 22,177.65 and the S&P SL20 eased 0.32% to 6,130.65 on turnover of Rs.2.01bn. Notable moves: Ceylon Cold Stores, Haycarb and Pan Asia Banking gained, John Keells was flat, with mixed or retail interest in several other stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell with the ASPI down 0.39% after the Central Bank raised the Overnight Policy Rate by 100 basis points to 8.75%. Kerner Haus Global Solutions (CPRT.N0000) filed a rights issue to raise 420.12 million rupees (10,502,975 shares at Rs.40).

Colombo stocks recovered after the CBSL hiked policy rates by 100bps, with the ASPI up 0.11% at 22,199.23 and turnover around Rs.1.86bn. DIAL, CCS, BREW, CARS and NDB were top positive contributors; VLL saw net foreign buying while AAIC saw net foreign selling and Food & Beverage led turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.54% to 22,294.71 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.61%. Top contributors included Dialog Axiata, Ceylon Cold Stores, NDB and Bairaha Farms while Hemas, Lion Brewery and Sampath Bank lagged; Jetwing Symphony declared a final dividend of Rs0.50 and closed at Rs14.30 (+2.88%).

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS) posted a 75% rise in quarterly profit to Rs 3.76 billion for the March 2026 quarter, with group revenue up 20% to Rs 50.32 billion. The board approved a final dividend of Rs 3.34 per share payable by June 12, 2026, and quarterly EPS rose to Rs 3.95.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, with the ASPI up 1.98% to 22,364.77, as rupee stabilisation and lower interest rates boosted investor confidence. Ceylon Cold Stores and Hemas posted strong quarterly profits and John Keells declared a final dividend; Dialog, Commercial Bank and Sampath gained while hSenid and Dipped Products fell.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 1.96% (430.21 pts) to 22,359.85 on Monday, with the S&P SL20 up 1.93%. Top contributors included Dialog Axiata, John Keells, Commercial Bank and Hemas; Ceylon Cold Stores reported Q1 profit up 75% to Rs 3.76bn and LVL Energy Fund's rights issue was oversubscribed.