News & market updates

Hayleys Plantations inaugurated the Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory in Kirillapone, Matara, a Rs.780 million facility with 14,000 kg/day capacity managed by Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC. The factory features solar rooftop, advanced processing equipment and multiple sustainability certifications.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) is offering HNB credit cardholders interest-free instalment plans of up to 60 months for solar purchases, valid until 30 April 2025.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell after new US tariffs took effect: ASPI dropped 1.66% to 14,875.95 and the S&P SL20 fell 2.37% to 4,352.69. Export-exposed Hayleys slid 5.98% and John Keells plus major listed banks also closed lower.

Hayleys PLC acquired ordinary shares in Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC to take a 10.83% stake, the company said in a stock exchange filing. Prior to the transactions Hayleys held no DIMO shares; the Employees Provident Fund was the seller and Hayleys' co-chairman sits on DIMO's board.

Hayleys Solar is offering HNB credit cardholders interest-free installment plans for solar purchases of up to 60 months, a limited-time offer valid until 30 April 2025.

Aitken Spence PLC's 'Spensonians' team won the Union Bank Mind Marathon 2025; Hayleys PLC finished second and Ceylinco Life third.

Colombo bourse rebounded strongly as ASPI rose 3% (surging 467 points) and S&P SL20 gained 4.65%, adding Rs.170bn in market value led by banks (Sampath, Commercial, HNB) and majors including John Keells, Hayleys, Access Engineering and DIMO; turnover was Rs.2.9bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.48.3m).

Sri Lanka's ASPI rebounded 3.19% (467.26 pts) to 15,127.71 and the S&P SL20 rose 4.54% as markets recovered ahead of the US tariff deadline. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB and Hayleys, with banking stocks trading positively.

Hayleys PLC's FentonsIT has partnered with IceWarp to launch IceWarp's collaboration platform in Sri Lanka, providing businesses an affordable, secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. The April 4, 2025 launch highlights hybrid deployment, local support and AI integrations with data-protection compliance.

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.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 4.64% (712.90 points) to 14,660.45 as investors awaited government action after US tariffs. Banks and capital goods were hardest hit — Commercial Bank -8.6%, Sampath Bank -6.0%, Hayleys -5.5%, Brown & Company -6.9%.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) hosted its 3rd SME Trade Fair in Colombo, with nearly 200 SMEs exhibiting over three days and an Industry Helpdesk providing advisory support. The event included government bodies, IFC/ADB, Hayleys and DIMO, with sessions on export readiness and digital/cybersecurity.

Hayleys (HAYL.N0000), via its Fentons IT arm, launched IceWarp’s collaboration platform in Sri Lanka on 4 April, offering an AI-enabled, GDPR/HIPAA-compliant alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace with local support.

Colombo market fell after announcement of a 44% US reciprocal tariff, with ASPI down 1.8% to 15,373 and S&P SL20 down over 2%; banking sector led losses and SAMP, COMB and HNB were among top decliners. Turnover was Rs. 3.1bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 169.7m.

Colombo stock market plunged over 2% as the ASPI fell 350 points after the US imposed reciprocal tariffs on Sri Lanka, hitting export-oriented counters. Turnover rose to Rs.3.8bn with heavy selling in Commercial Bank, Hayleys, Melstacorp, HNB and Sampath, while a 38% TSML stake sale by JKH drove turnover.

Colombo market reverted to YTD positive as the ASPI rose 73 points (0.46%) to 16,007, leaving YTD up 0.39%, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs. 282m. Top movers included HAYL and CTC; turnover was Rs. 2.3bn led by Capital Goods and Food, Beverage & Tobacco sectors.

The Colombo market opened April higher, with the ASPI up 119 points (0.76%) on turnover of Rs. 1.9 billion. Banking stocks saw early selling around XD dates while blue-chips and capital goods (e.g. Hayleys, John Keells, Melstacorp) were key contributors.

Sri Lanka stocks rose as the ASPI closed up 0.46% (73.06 pts) at 16,007.44 with turnover Rs 2.29bn; top contributors were Hayleys (+3.0%), Ceylon Tobacco (+1.7%), Royal Ceramics (+2.6%), Chevron Lubricants (+2.9%) and Dialog Axiata (+2.1%). Most active by volume were John Keells, Browns Investments and Access Engineering.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.76% to 15,934.38 as buying interest returned, but turnover remained light at 1.91 billion rupees. Top contributors included Melstacorp, Hayleys, HNB, NDB and LOLC, with banks, capital goods and diversified financials leading turnover.

ASPI fell 67 points (0.4%) on low turnover of Rs.1.65bn; HNB was the largest negative contributor after its ex-dividend date, while SAMP, RICH, HAYL, HHL and SUN were top positive contributors and banks led turnover.

Dividend · Rs 6.00 · XD Apr 9, 2025

Dividend of LKR 6/share; XD 2025-04-09; record 2025-04-09; payable 2025-04-22; FY 2024/25

Hayleys PLC launched the 2nd edition of its Lifecode ESG roadmap, adding six new focus areas and revised targets; the Group says it now sources around 70% of its energy from renewables and is on track to meet its 2030 environmental targets.

Fitch assigned a National Long-Term 'AAA(lka)' rating to Hayleys PLC's proposed senior unsecured redeemable debentures of up to Rs.7 billion. Proceeds will repay short-term debt and Fitch cited Hayleys' scale, diversification, export earnings and a forecast ~10% revenue rise in FY25 as rating drivers.

Hayleys Solar, the renewable energy arm of Hayleys Fentons, won two awards at the National Industry Brand Excellence Awards 2024: Best National Industry Brand (Large-Scale Electrical, Electronics & Allied Industry) and Best New Entrant Brand – Western Province.

Fitch assigned a 'AAA(lka)' National Long-Term Rating to Hayleys PLC's proposed senior unsecured redeemable debentures of up to LKR7 billion. Fitch said the rating aligns with Hayleys' national rating, noted proceeds will repay short-term debt, and forecast ~10% revenue growth in FY25.

Hayleys Solar (the renewable energy arm of Hayleys Fentons) won two awards at the National Industry Brand Excellence Awards 2024: Best National Industry Brand in the Large-Scale Electrical, Electronics & Allied Industry Sector and Best New Entrant Brand – Western Province.

Fitch has assigned a national long-term rating of 'AAA(lka)' to Hayleys PLC's proposed senior unsecured redeemable debentures of up to LKR7 billion. The proceeds will be used to repay the company's short-term debt and Fitch notes Hayleys' large scale, export earnings and diversified operations supporting the rating.

Colombo market closed higher — ASPI +12 points, S&P SL20 +19 with turnover of Rs.1.25bn. Major contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath while John Keells, Hemas, Browns, LOLC and Ceylon Cold Stores were among laggards; foreigners were net buyers of Rs.14.2m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.63% to 15,394.23 and the S&P SL20 fell 1.60% to 4,588.03. Top decliners included Ceylinco Insurance, HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC and John Keells; turnover rose to 1.77bn rupees and Hayleys plans to raise up to 7bn via a debenture issue.