News & market updates

Hayleys Fentons received the Excellence Award in Mechanical Engineering at the Annual Construction Competition – Western Province 2025 for its fire detection and protection works on Hayleys PLC buildings. The project features an integrated Auto Dialer with the main fire alarm panel and complies with British, NFPA and local CIDA standards.

Hayleys Solar has renewed its partnership with Cargills to deliver Phase 2 solar installations — 2.1 MW across 25 outlets; Phase 1 delivered 2.4 MW across 21 locations, offsetting ~19,321 tonnes of CO2.

Hayleys PLC's Rs.7 billion senior unsecured redeemable debenture issue was fully subscribed on opening day (base Rs.5bn plus Rs.2bn oversubscription). The AAA (lka)-rated debentures offer three- and five-year fixed and a five-year floating option; proceeds will re-profile short-term debt.

Hayleys PLC raised 7 billion rupees from listed debentures (5bn via a 5-year tranche and 2bn after oversubscription), issuing 3-year fixed at 10.5%, 5-year fixed at 11.15% and a 5-year floating at T-bill+2% (floor 8.5%, cap 12.5%); Fitch rated the debentures AAA(lka).

Hayleys Consumer Products (part of Hayleys Group) won three BMPC 2025 awards, including Consumer Services Category Winner and a Merit Award in Digital Literacy. Its Lean Digital Distribution cut inventory costs by LKR 400 million, reduced fuel use by 20% and recovered ~2,000 working hours.

Hayleys PLC plans to raise up to Rs.7 billion via a listed five-year debenture issue (initial tranche Rs.5bn: 50 million debentures at Rs.100; optional additional 20m), with HNB Investment Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon as joint placement agents. The issue is rated 'AAA (lka)' and subscriptions open 5 May.

Hayleys Leisure PLC appointed Milinda Hewagama as a Non-Executive Director. Hewagama is Group Chief Financial Officer of Hayleys PLC and a director of The Kingsbury PLC.

Nex-Gen Engineering Studio is deploying drone-based 3D LiDAR laser scanning to improve precision, speed and safety in as-built surveying. Hayleys Fentons' managing director is quoted endorsing the technology for smarter, data-driven engineering and construction monitoring.

Dipped Products PLC commissioned a Rs. 1 billion natural rubber glove production plant at Hanwella, increasing Hanwella Rubber Products Ltd.'s capacity by 25% for thick-layered gloves. The facility includes a high-efficiency biomass boiler, cloud-based controls, IE3 motors and a 30% larger ETP, supporting sustainability, exports and over 110 new jobs.

Hayleys PLC plans to raise up to Rs.7 billion via listed five-year debentures (initial tranche Rs.5bn: 50 million units at Rs.100), with subscription opening 5 May 2025; the CSE gave in-principle approval and HNB Investment Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon are joint placement agents.

Fitch affirmed Hemas Holdings PLC's National Long-Term Rating at 'AAA (lka)' with a Stable Outlook, citing defensive cash flows and leading positions in pharmaceuticals and HPC; Fitch expects capex to rise to ~Rs.7bn p.a. in FY26–FY27 and forecasts EBITDA net leverage below 1.0x.

Dipped Products PLC commissioned a Rs. 1 billion natural rubber glove production plant in Hanwella, boosting HRPL's production capacity by 25% for thick-layered gloves. The facility adds energy-efficient technology (biomass boiler, IE3 motors), a 30% larger ETP and created over 110 direct jobs.

Fitch affirmed Hemas Holdings PLC's national long-term rating at 'AAA(lka)' with a Stable Outlook. Fitch cited the group's defensive operating cash flows (healthcare and consumer brands ~90% of EBIT) and noted planned capex rising to around LKR7.0 billion annually in FY26–FY27.

Hayleys PLC was approved to raise up to Rs7 billion through five-year listed debentures — an initial offer of Rs5.0 billion (50 million Rs100 debentures) with an option to sell a further Rs2.0 billion; subscription opens May 2025. Joint managers are Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Hayleys Group Services.

Horana Plantations PLC's Neuchatel Estate (902 ha) has diversified into rubber, oil palm (124 ha), coconut and cinnamon, adopted digital weighing and secured EU Deforestation Regulation certification. The estate also runs community welfare, beekeeping and soil- and water-conservation initiatives that generate additional income.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) has partnered with BYD to introduce BYD’s advanced battery and inverter solutions to Sri Lanka, launching a product line including LV 5.0/5.0 Plus, Battery-Box Premium HVS, Battery-Max LiteIn and Solar Hybrid Inverters now available via Hayleys experience centres.

The ASPI gained 72 points (+0.5%) to 15,616 as the Colombo market bounced back, led by the capital goods sector. Turnover was about Rs.1.5 billion with net foreign inflows of Rs.35.2m; notable movers included Hemas, John Keells, Browns, Alumex and DFCC.

Colombo market slipped for a third day as the ASPI closed at 15,544 (down ~12 points) while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05%; turnover was Rs.1.09bn, 57% below the monthly average. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover, banking sentiment stayed weak; JKH, SUN, CCS rose while CFIN, DFCC and MELS lagged.

Hayleys Fentons, part of Hayleys PLC, will design and construct a new Shield Restraint Systems manufacturing facility at the Wathupitiwala EPZ under a US-funded FDI project. The turnkey project covers design, supply, installation, testing and handover; Shield produces over 20 million restraints annually.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) has partnered with BYD to launch BYD energy storage and hybrid inverter products in Sri Lanka, including Battery-Box Premium HVS (up to 38.4 kWh) and Battery-Max LiteIn (30 kWh–2.64 MWh, 1C fast charging, 100% DoD). The rollout offers scalable residential and commercial backup, smart load control and reduced grid dependence, available via Hayleys experience centres nationwide.

Sri Lanka stocks closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 15,543.99 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 4,608.41. Trading was volatile with Lion Brewery, Melstacorp, Central Finance, NTB and DFCC among top decliners, Haycarb and Hayleys Fiber gained and turnover was LKR 1.1bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange indices rose in morning trade, with the ASPI up 0.18% to 15,583.22, as positive sentiment followed a US vice‑presidential visit and RBI easing; John Keells Holdings was up 1.0%, Hayleys up 0.8% and Haycarb down 0.1%.

Colombo market stayed bearish as the ASPI fell 43 points (0.28%) and the S&P SL20 dipped 0.68% on turnover of Rs.991.4m, with foreign net selling of Rs.63.4m. Banking names (COMB, HNB, NDB) and JKH weighed on the index while pockets of interest were seen in CINS, ASIR and COCR and retail interest in PAP, LVEF and LOFC.

Colombo stocks fell with the ASPI down 0.28% at 15,555.86 as uncertainty over US tariffs and Fed interest-rate commentary hit exporters and banks; key decliners included John Keells, Hayleys, Teejay, Haycarb and major banks, with a net foreign outflow of Rs 64m.

Colombo bourse opened marginally negative as the ASPI fell 17 points (0.11%) to 15,600 on low turnover of Rs.1.16bn. Banking stocks led turnover (24% share) while HAYL, LION, JKH, DIPD and TJL were top negative contributors and Sampath and Lanka IOC drew buying interest.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.28% to 15,538.64 after a 90-day pause on US "Liberation day" tariffs sparked market uncertainty and softer volumes. Banks led losses and top negative contributors included Sampath, NDB and Malwatte (down 11.4%), while CIC and Alumex saw small gains.

Hayleys Fentons (Hayleys Group) will build a state-of-the-art manufacturing and warehouse facility for US firm Shield Restraint Systems at Wathupitiwala EPZ in a US-funded FDI project. Hayleys Fentons will deliver design, civil construction, plumbing, installation, testing and handover.

ASPI fell 1.7% to 14,876 with the S&P SL20 down 2.4%; turnover was Rs.3 billion and there was a Rs.1 billion net foreign inflow led by John Keells (Rs.665m). Banking names (Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hatton) and Hayleys were among the main laggards while capital goods drove turnover.

Hayleys PLC opened the new Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory (managed by Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC) after a LKR 780 million investment; the facility has 14,000 kg/day capacity, is ranked No.1 Low-grown by CTTA and holds multiple sustainability certifications.

Hayleys PLC bought a 10.8% stake in Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC for about Rs.1 billion, acquiring ~0.9m shares at Rs.1,050 on Apr 7 and ~96,000 shares (largest block 92,707) at Rs.1,000 on Apr 8. DIMO shares rose 4% to Rs.1,050 while Hayleys fell 6% to Rs.129.75.