News & market updates

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.

Colombo bourse fell with the ASPI down 0.61% to 21,828.50, led by capital goods turnover; Industrial Asphalts jumped 60% after agreeing to sell a 48.03% controlling stake. Hela Apparel’s subsidiary signed a management services agreement amid working capital challenges.

The 10th C Rugby Tag Rugby Tournament takes place on July 17-18 at CR&FC Grounds, featuring 16 teams and a new Corporate Segment that includes corporate challengers from Commercial Bank, Dialog, Cinnamon Colombo Hotels and CDB Finance.

The National Chamber of Exporters opened applications for the 34th NCE Export Awards, closing Sept 30, 2026, with the awards ceremony on Dec 11 at Shangri‑La Colombo. Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC is the main sponsor and Dialog Enterprise is the event's digital technology partner.

ASPI fell 118.35 points to 21,962.30, slipping below 22,000, while the S&P SL20 dropped 31.55 points to 6,135.50, led by declines in heavyweights such as Dialog Axiata and Melstacorp; banking stocks (NDB, HNB, Sampath) also recorded losses. Market turnover was LKR 1.53 billion, with JKH crossings contributing LKR 264 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.38% to 22,093.51 on Monday with turnover of 1.35 billion rupees. Negative contributors included HNB (down to 396.75) and Dialog Axiata (45.50), while Lion Brewery (1,834) and Haycarb (160.50) led gains.

Dialog Axiata PLC was named Sri Lanka's Most Loved Brand in the Service and Telecommunications sectors for the third consecutive year in the LMD Brands Annual survey. It also won 'Service Brand of the Year' (fifth time) and 'Telecommunication Brand of the Year' (15th consecutive year) at the SLIM-KANTAR People's Awards 2026 and highlighted investments in 5G, AI-driven services and renewable energy initiatives.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.10% to 22,157.16 in intraday trade, with turnover at Rs 667 million. Aitken Spence said P Englisch stepped down and M R Mihular was reappointed independent director; the stock was down 25 cents at Rs 150.

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).

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%).

Dialog Axiata (DIAL.N0000) launched Dialog Air Fibre, the country's first 5G-powered wireless home broadband with plans: 100GB Rs.2,795; 200GB Rs.3,795; 300GB Rs.5,495. The service runs on Dialog's 5G network (over 1,000 sites), offers up to six hours battery backup and 48-hour installation with refund if standards aren't met.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed with the ASPI down 0.06% at 22,229.71 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 6,209.85; market turnover was Rs.1.52bn and capital goods led turnover at Rs.834.9m. Dialog, Melstacorp and Bukit Darah were positive contributors, Aitken Spence, DFCC Bank and Ceylon Tobacco were top decliners, crossings were recorded in Hemas, Windforce and Printcare, and SANASA Life raised Rs.500m via subordinated debentures to meet regulatory capital requirements.

Carson Cumberbatch approved a second interim dividend of Rs.7.40 per ordinary share, totalling Rs.1.45 billion and exempt from withholding tax. Colombo markets were up midday (ASPI +0.08% at 22,260.75) with Dialog, Melstacorp, Sanasa Development Bank and Sampath as top positives and Ceylon Tobacco, DFCC and Aitken Spence as negatives; turnover Rs.388.5mn, capital goods led at Rs.62.4mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally lower as the ASPI fell 0.09% (‑19.58 pts) to 22,243.70 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.02% to 6,206.51. Market turnover was Rs 1.070 billion, telecoms led turnover with Rs 247.6 million, and the CSE delayed opening due to a technical issue.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.45% midday to 22,309.09 with turnover of 951.8 million rupees, utilities contributing 448.6 million. Convenience Foods Lanka authorized an 8.00 rupee first-and-final dividend and Tokyo Cement proposed a 2.50 rupee first-and-final dividend.

John Keells Holdings chair Krishan Balendra was re-elected Chairperson of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at its 187th AGM for 2026/27. The Chamber's board includes executives from Hayleys, Renuka Hotels and Dialog Axiata, and said 18 of its Budget 2026 recommendations on trade, digitalisation and investment were adopted.

Ceylon Chamber re‑elected Krishan Balendra (Chairperson of John Keells Holdings PLC) and named its 2026/27 board, which includes executives from Hayleys PLC, Dialog Axiata PLC and Renuka Hotels PLC.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.89% as the ASPI gained 198.46 points to 22,407 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.99% to 6,242, with turnover of 2.7 billion rupees. Top positive contributors were Dialog Axiata, John Keells and Hayleys, while Bukit Darah and Colombo Fort Land & Building were top decliners.

First Capital Research: aggregate earnings of 271 listed companies fell 11.4% YoY in the March 2026 quarter (third straight quarter), but underlying earnings rose 30.1% YoY after adjusting for major one-offs. Food, Beverage & Tobacco dragged the aggregate result while retailing and telecom posted strong gains (e.g. UML, DIAL, SLTL, SINS).

Dialog Enterprise (Dialog Axiata PLC) has partnered with Prime Lands Residencies PLC to provide high-speed Dialog Fibre connectivity to residents of The Colombo Border development in Peliyagoda. Services include dedicated fibre bandwidth, managed Wi-Fi, IPTV and 24x7 network operations support.

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 trended up, with the ASPI rising 0.27% (61.12 pts) to 22,314.64 on turnover of Rs.609.9m, led by capital goods (Rs.241.2m). Lee Hedges announced revised payment terms for its Rs.3.15bn acquisition of Lanka Realty Developments (Rs.1.1bn paid, Rs.2.057bn due within six months plus interest).

Dialog Axiata PLC continued as Official Sponsor of Sri Lanka’s national League of Legends team at the Asian Games 2026 qualifiers; Sri Lanka beat Kazakhstan in the group stage but did not advance.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Friday as investor uncertainty over a US–Iran deal weighed on markets; the ASPI fell 0.33% to 22,361.31 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.25% to 6,211.13. Market turnover was Rs 1.8 billion and crossings were recorded in CIC, Singer, NDB, Sampath Bank and Dialog Axiata.

Dialog Axiata PLC achieved independent validation of its enterprise risk management against ISO 31000:2018 by Quality Austria Central Asia, becoming the first Sri Lankan telecom to receive this validation.

Dialog Axiata PLC has received independent validation of its Enterprise Risk Management against ISO 31000:2018 by Quality Austria Central Asia Ltd. The company says it is the first Sri Lankan telecom to achieve this, strengthening governance across its telecom and digital services.

Colombo Stock Exchange edged up 0.22% as the ASPI closed 50.23 points higher at 22,436.14, despite foreign investors selling a net Rs 333 million; top contributors were Aitken Spence, Dialog Axiata and Melstacorp.

Colombo market edged up as the ASPI rose 0.04% (8.62 pts) to 22,385.91 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.17% to 6,210.72. Turnover was Rs.2.56bn on 107m shares, the banking sector led turnover and foreigners were net sellers of about Rs.12.2m.

ASPI jumped 3.43% (743.22 pts) to 22,380.65 as markets rallied on signs of a possible end to the Middle East war, with index-weighted counters SAMP, COMB, JKH, MELS and DIAL among top contributors; turnover exceeded Rs.4bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.21.1m).

Dialog Axiata PLC's market capitalization exceeded Rs. 400 billion, peaking above Rs. 420 billion on June 15 as its share price traded between Rs. 44.90 and Rs. 46.40.