News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.39% (83.87 pts) to 21,508.86, with banks leading turnover at Rs 41.8 million. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company proposed a first and final dividend of Rs 25 per share for the year ended March 31.

Dividend · Rs 25.00 · XD Aug 7, 2026

First And Final dividend of LKR 25/share; XD 2026-08-07; record 2026-08-10; payable 2026-08-28; FY 2025/26

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka hosted CATALYZE 2026: Environment, a two-day forum on corporate environmental sustainability; Sampath Bank was main partner and listed firms including Dilmah, Teejay Lanka, Hayleys, Talawakelle, Commercial Bank and Kelani Valley participated as partners or patrons.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Co chairman backed the National Export Development Plan to raise exports to $36bn by 2030, urging a shift to premium, quality-focused exports rather than competing on volume. He called for investment in testing, traceability and trade deals; CEAT Kelani urged policy consistency and supply-chain fixes.

Dividend · Rs 25.00

First And Final dividend of LKR 25/share; FY 2025/26

Sri Lanka's tea exports fell 17.3% YoY in March to $114.75m as the Middle East conflict disrupts shipments; Dilmah (CTEA.N0000), which derives about 30% of sales from the Middle East, reports logistics and fuel-cost pressures and is shifting into new markets.

ASPI rose 0.24% to 23,709.84 with turnover above Rs.8.5bn and foreign investors net sold Rs.986.2m. Top positive contributors were HNB, RICH, CTEA, COMB and AEL; TKYO led materials-sector turnover (Rs.2.05bn) and JINS recorded a 7.8% price gain.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC has been invited to be Patron of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Supply Chain Working Group, recognising its sustainable supply-chain role; 71% of its 2024/25 supplier spend (Rs.14,494m of Rs.20,440m) was with local suppliers.

Omega Line was named Exporter of the Year and Akbar Brothers was named Net Foreign Exchange Earner of the Year at the Presidential Export Awards. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC won awards for Contributor to Sustainable Development in Exports and Market Diversified Exporter of the Year.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company Plc was invited to be Patron of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka’s Water & Ocean Stewardship Working Group and reported a 2024/25 direct water footprint of 19,498 m3 (DCTC) with municipal water use down 8% and wastewater discharged down 44% year‑on‑year.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company (CTEA.N0000) and Dialog Axiata (DIAL.N0000) executives represented Sri Lanka at the UN Global Compact Private Sector Forum in New York on 22 September to discuss mobilising private capital for the SDGs. The forum emphasised sustainable finance across food systems, energy, digital access and climate, noting a global SDG financing gap of over $4 trillion.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company and Dialog Axiata joined the 2025 UN Global Compact Private Sector Forum in New York to mobilize private finance for the SDGs. The Forum highlighted a >USD4tn SDG financing gap and prioritized transitions in food systems, energy, digital access, and climate resilience.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea (CTEA.N0000) Chairman/CEO Dilhan C. Fernando and Dialog Axiata (DIAL.N0000) Executive Director/Group CEO Supun Weerasinghe represented Network Sri Lanka at the 2025 UN Private Sector Forum in New York, joining 50 global CEOs to discuss mobilising private capital for sustainable, inclusive growth.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC and Dialog Axiata PLC executives will represent Sri Lanka at the 2025 UN Private Sector Forum in New York on 22 September to discuss mobilizing private finance for sustainable, inclusive growth. Dilhan C. Fernando (Dilmah) and Supun Weerasinghe (Dialog) are named delegates.

The Sri Lanka–Indonesia Business Council held its 2nd AGM; Sunshine Holdings' Vish Govindasamy stepped down and Ceylon Biscuits' Shea Wickramasingha was appointed president for 2025/26. The council highlighted trade ties and upcoming Trade Expo Indonesia 2025, with committee representation from Dilmah, hSenid, Aitken Spence and Amana Bank.

Darshana Gunasekera has been appointed an Independent, Non-Executive Director of Bank of Ceylon effective 13 August 2025. He is currently Group Finance Director of the MJF Group and serves on the boards of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, Kahawatte Plantations and Talawakelle Tea Estates.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC celebrated its 40th anniversary with a 'Future of Tea' event at Sydney Opera House on 19 June 2025. The event showcased Dilmah's 85 Reserve and Watte Single Garden Teas and highlighted tea's health and gastronomy benefits; the author also chairs Kahawatte Plantations PLC.

Dividend · Rs 20.00 · XD Aug 1, 2025

First And Final dividend of LKR 20/share; XD 2025-08-01; record 2025-08-03; payable 2025-08-21; FY 2024/25

Teejay Lanka, Dilmah Ceylon Tea, Kelani Valley Plantations and Talawakelle Tea Estates were appointed Patrons of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Working Groups from 2025, with MoUs signed on 20 March 2025; roles cover sustainable supply chains, water stewardship and climate action.

Resplendent Ceylon (Dilmah Ceylon Tea) upgraded Cape Weligama's audio system, with Digital Ear installing Void Cyclone 55/Cyclone 4 speakers and Ruark R1S radios across dining venues and villas. The installation was completed on schedule and has drawn positive feedback from guests and staff.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company (CTEA.N0000) hosted its third Stronger Together event on 27 Feb to drive supply-chain sustainability and committed to align with the Science Based Targets initiative, noting supply-chain emissions account for 80% of its total; it also announced an online supplier self-assessment tool.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC appointed Anil Dias as a Non-Executive Independent Director and Chairman of the Board Audit Committee effective 1 January 2025. Dias is a finance professional with 40 years of experience, including senior roles at Coats PLC and board positions in Sri Lanka.

Elpitiya Plantations PLC appointed Dr. Ravi A. Fernando as an Independent Non-Executive Director effective 1 January 2025. Fernando is a sustainability and consumer-goods executive who also serves on boards including Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, LOLC Holdings and Aitken Spence.

Aitken Spence won the Ceylon Chamber Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2024. Shortlist firms recognised included Talawakelle Tea Estates (Category B winner), Sampath Bank (runner-up and finance sector champion) and other shortlist companies such as Dilmah, Haycarb, Kelani Valley, Elpitiya, Jetwing Symphony, Hemas, Singer and Ceylon Tobacco.

Aitken Spence won the Grand Slam Award at the 21st Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2024. Shortlisted companies receiving awards included Sampath Bank, Talawakelle Tea Estates, Kelani Valley and Elpitiya Plantations, Jetwing Symphony, Haycarb, Dilmah, Hemas, Singer and Ceylon Tobacco.

Aitken Spence PLC won the Grand Slam Award at the 21st Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2024 after claiming the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2024. Multiple other listed firms (including Sampath Bank, Talawakelle, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Haycarb and others) were also recognised across categories.