News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI fell 66.89 points (0.38%) to 17,360.19 on Monday, with the S&P SL20 down 36.38 points (0.70%) to 5,155.48 and turnover at Rs.3.15 billion; major losers included Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Hayleys and Ceylon Tobacco Company.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.38% (66.89 pts) to 17,360.19 amid continued Israel-Iran conflict, with S&P SL20 down 0.59% as turnover and volumes slipped and HNB, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Hayleys and Ceylon Tobacco were among the top decliners.

ACCA Sri Lanka held its AGM on 5 June, reaffirming Chaaminda Kumarasiri as Chairman and appointing a Member Network Panel that includes Hemas Holdings Group CFO Moiz Rehmanjee and Hayleys finance director Sashi Jayakody. ACCA outlined its 2025/26 strategy and highlighted initiatives such as an AI-powered chatbot and sustainability reporting awards.

Colombo market closed mixed — ASPI +4 points, S&P SL20 -11 on turnover of Rs.3.7bn — as investors reacted to an electricity tariff hike with increased selling pressure; Diversified Financials led turnover and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.8.7m.

AICPA & CIMA SHIFT25 Summit will be held tomorrow at Cinnamon Life, bringing together finance and business leaders including speakers from Hayleys, Sri Lanka Telecom and John Keells to discuss digital transformation, the evolving CFO role and sustainability.

ASPI crossed the 17,500 mark for the first time, closing at 17,500.24 after a 105.79-point (0.61%) gain; S&P SL20 rose to 5,208.95 and turnover was Rs. 2.85bn, led by Hayleys, Ceylinco Holdings, Ceylon Cold Stores, Hatton National Bank and Ceylon Tobacco.

Hayleys PLC's subsidiary HayWind One signed a Power Purchase Agreement with the Ceylon Electricity Board on 28 May for a 50 MW wind power project in Mannar, with about $50m investment and expected completion around 18 months from the PPA.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.61% to 17,500.24 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.64% to 5,208.95, led by gains in Hayleys, Ceylinco Holdings, Ceylon Cold Stores, HNB and Ceylon Tobacco amid retail buying and lower interest rates.

Myitem.lk was named Best Customer Service and After-Sales Support Provider of the Year at the Business World International Awards 2025; the Colombo-based computer retailer serves corporate clients including Hayleys and plans to expand its product and services range.

Hayleys Plantations' companies Kelani Valley Plantations (KVAL.N0000), Talawakelle Tea Estates (TPL.N0000) and Horana Plantations (HOPL.N0000) have established wildlife corridors and conservation programmes to protect Sri Lankan leopards, including KVPL's Elbedda Ridge Corridor (40+ leopards identified) and HPL's 18km Peak-Ridge Corridor.

Hayleys Fentons (part of Hayleys PLC) won the "Company with Great Managers Award" 2024 for the second consecutive year, with six emerging leaders honoured at the awards ceremony held on 10 April 2025.

Colombo market closed the week higher as the ASPI rose 39 points to 16,855, led by gains in HAYL, CALH, COMB, NDB and RIL; total turnover was Rs. 5.2 billion and foreign investors recorded a net outflow of Rs. 441.6 million.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.23% to 16,854.86 on Friday despite US tariff-related uncertainty; S&P SL20 closed up 0.37%. Top contributors were Hayleys, Capital Alliance Holdings (strong debut), Commercial Bank and NDB, with turnover at 5.16 billion rupees.

Colombo market rose with ASPI +0.6% and S&P SL20 +0.9% on turnover of Rs.6.4bn, led by Sampath Bank, LOLC, Hemas and Sierra Cables; foreigners were net sellers (Rs.218m outflow). Several firms made gains and interim dividends were announced (RIL, UML).

Hayleys PLC (via HayWind) signed a PPA with the Ceylon Electricity Board on 28 May 2025 to develop a 50MW Mannar wind farm at 4.65 USc/kWh on a BOO basis, scheduled to be operational within 18 months. The project comprises 10 x 5MW turbines and is expected to deliver long-term cost and FX savings.

Hayleys PLC (via HayWind/Hayleys Fentons) signed a PPA with the Ceylon Electricity Board to develop a 50MW Mannar wind farm at $0.0465/kWh (≈40% below market), to be operational in 18 months. The BOO project will use 10 turbines, supply zero-emission power and cut fossil-fuel reliance.

Hayleys Fentons (part of Hayleys PLC) installed a 380-metre European-engineered, EN795:2012-certified roof lifeline system at South Asia Textiles, Pugoda, completed in 20 days to enhance fall protection for workers.

Colombo market opened subdued with the ASPI up 1.78 points and turnover rising to Rs. 3.7bn; foreigners were net buyers of Rs. 70.1m. Key contributors included CCS, HHL, HAYL, DIAL and BIL, with strong activity in Food, Beverage & Tobacco.

SriLankan Airlines lost 3.4 billion rupees by March 2025 and is running losses on 31 of 45 routes. The carrier has $978m in liabilities and about $200m of bond interest arrears, and plans to lease five aircraft under a 'Hayleys Plan' to raise the fleet to 25.

Hayleys PLC’s Hayleys Fentons launched StarCharge EV charging solutions in Sri Lanka, offering scalable chargers from 7 kW to 720 kW and claiming up to 80% charge in under 30 minutes.

The Colombo market paused its upward run as the ASPI fell 0.37% and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.5%, while foreigners recorded a net inflow of Rs.170 million. Turnover was Rs.1.5 billion with top contributors John Keells, Commercial Bank and Hayleys and the banking sector leading activity.

Hayleys PLC posted FY25 PBT of Rs.35.37bn, up 40% YoY, on record consolidated revenue of Rs.492.20bn (up 13%). Exports were $875m (53% of revenue), renewable energy met 74% of group consumption and net finance costs fell 30%.

Hayleys PLC's renewable arm Hayleys Solar signed an MoU with Mercantile Investments to collaborate on making solar power more accessible and affordable in Sri Lanka. They will combine resources and networks to offer long-lasting, cost-effective solar solutions for residential and commercial customers.

Hayleys PLC's Hayleys Solar signed an MoU with Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC to collaborate on making solar power more accessible and affordable nationwide. The partnership will combine resources to offer cost-effective solar solutions for residential and commercial customers.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.29% (208.80 pts) to 16,340.04 as mid-cap buying and stronger retail interest lifted the market, with Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank among gainers while NDB weighed on the index.

ASPI rose 183.55 points (1.14%) to 16,314.79 as CSE turnover hit Rs.4.55 billion with over 180 million shares traded. Lanka Realty led activity (Rs.467m); JKH, LOLC and Commercial Bank saw heavy trading; Melstacorp, Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Aitken Spence helped drive gains while several counters including Dipped Products, Ceylon Grain Elevators, Industrial Asphalts and NDB fell.

Dipped Products PLC unveiled a two-acre EcoPulse Nature Reserve at its Hanwella manufacturing facility as the first phase of its DPL Pulse ESG Roadmap 2030, targeting restoration of ecosystems equivalent to five times the land area DPL occupies.

Hayleys PLC's five-year debenture issue was oversubscribed on day one, rising to Rs.7 billion after the company exercised an additional Rs.2 billion option; HNB Investment Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon acted as Joint Placement Agents.

Hayleys PLC's LKR 7 billion senior unsecured redeemable debenture issue was fully subscribed on opening day (base LKR 5bn plus LKR 2bn oversubscription). The debentures are rated 'AAA (lka)' and proceeds will be used to reprofile short-term debt and bolster liquidity.