News & market updates

Hayleys Solar (part of the Hayleys group) was named Sri Lanka's Most Loved Solar Brand in LMD's Brands Annual 2026 for a second consecutive year, after surpassing 750 MW of installed solar capacity and delivering 30 MWh storage and 110+ MW wind projects.

Hayleys PLC's subsidiary Hayleys Aventura commissioned Sri Lanka's first outdoor automated rotary parking system. The system rotates platforms to retrieve vehicles within a maximum of 2.5 minutes and complements the firm's portfolio of automated parking solutions for urban developments.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.60% to 21,697.72 as markets slowed amid escalation in the Middle East and global instability. Seylan Bank, Lanka IOC and Malwatte Valley Plantations were among gainers while Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Lion Brewery and Hayleys led declines; Vidullanka authorised a first gross dividend of Rs0.20 per share to be dispatched by Aug 7, 2026.

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.

Roshane Perera, Deputy Managing Director – Energy of Hayleys Fentons (Hayleys PLC), won the Global CEO 45 Under 45 Leadership Excellence Platinum Award 2025. Since 2017 he grew Hayleys Solar to Rs.15bn revenue and ~800 staff, delivered 500+ MW rooftop capacity and a 300 MW utility-scale portfolio, and is on track for 750 MW by mid-2026.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index fell 141.27 points (0.64%) to 21,821 at midday. Nations Trust Bank said its Basel III-compliant Tier-2 debentures will be listed on July 8 with 5-, 7- and 10-year tranches paying 13.75%, 13.85% and 13.95% respectively.

Hayleys PLC led World Environment Day 2026 activities across its plantation group, with Kelani Valley, Talawakelle and Horana plantations running tree-planting, awareness campaigns and Talawakelle launching the Hill Country Green Force volunteer initiative.

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.

HayWind One (Hayleys Fentons), part of Hayleys PLC, has received all ten turbines for the 50MW Mannar Wind Farm, moving the project into peak construction and installation with energisation targeted by December 2026. Once operational it will add 50MW to the grid and is projected to save ~LKR 100 billion in imported fuel costs over 20 years.

Hayleys PLC's Hayleys Plantations sector marked World Environment Day 2026 with tree planting, awareness programmes, the Surakimu Ganga freshwater initiative and the launch of Talawakelle's 'Hill Country Green Force' across Kelani Valley (KVAL.N0000), Talawakelle (TPL.N0000) and Horana (HOPL.N0000).

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.

Ameena Ziauddin (Norfolk Foods) was elected President of the Council for Business with Britain; John Keells (JKH.N0000), Hayleys (HAYL.N0000) and Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) were elected to the 2026–27 committee and Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000) was invited to join. The meeting highlighted rising UK tourist arrivals and UK DCTS reforms expanding zero‑tariff access for Sri Lankan exporters.

Hayleys PLC's Hayleys Solar commissioned and handed over a 90 kW rooftop solar power system to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, which will supply a substantial portion of the faculty's daily energy needs and reduce reliance on grid electricity.

Hayleys Mobility (Hayleys PLC) opened a new workshop at No. 88 Nikape Aththidiya Road, Bellanthara, expanding its after-sales service network to serve Colombo and nearby suburbs with advanced diagnostic equipment and trained technicians. The facility aims to improve accessibility and reduce service turnaround times.

Colombo market opened down 0.65% as the ASPI fell 146.53 points to 22,263.28 with turnover over Rs.1.7bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.466.1m; Windforce, CIC and Hayleys were main negative contributors while Windforce, Colombo Dockyard and Sathosa Motors led turnover.

Hayleys Agriculture Holdings launched the 'Where Value Blossoms' campaign to position itself as a diversified, export-focused agricultural group (HJS Condiments ≈60% of Sri Lanka's processed fruit & veg exports). The company highlights digital platform OMNIX, sustainability measures (27% of water from sustainable sources), a 12,500+ outgrower network and a Haychem Bangladesh subsidiary.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) and PMF Finance PLC signed an MOU to provide customised financing for residential and commercial solar installations, aiming to lower upfront costs and accelerate solar adoption in Sri Lanka.

The Council for Business with Britain elected Ameena Ziauddin as President at its 26th AGM and named a 2026–27 committee including Aitken Spence Travels, Hayleys, John Keells and invited Commercial Bank's CEO to serve. The UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme and rising British tourist arrivals were highlighted as opportunities for exporters and tourism.

Colombo Stock Exchange indices rose after a delayed opening auction call, with the ASPI up 0.26% (57.99 pts) to 22,321 and the S&P SL20 up 0.31% to 6,224. The opening delay was blamed on a CSE-side technical issue that accidentally suspended active accounts after a new policy on inactive accounts; the CSE had not yet issued a statement.

UK High Commissioner urged Sri Lankan businesses to use the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers zero-tariff access to the UK and whose January 2026 reforms expand preferential access for the apparel sector, boosting export opportunities for Sri Lankan firms.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.65% to 22,263.28, with utilities leading turnover at Rs.486 million. Top movers included Lighthouse Hotel (+4.64%), HNB (+0.19%), Sampath (+0.17%) and Pan Asia (+1.29%); Windforce (-5.12%) and Hayleys (-0.94%) were top decliners, and Asia Asset Finance declared a Rs.0.70 dividend on its convertible preference shares.

Janathakshan and The Coca-Cola Foundation concluded the SWYFT plastic waste project (Aug 2024–May 2026), establishing five MCPCs — including Sri Lanka's first hydro-powered MCPC in partnership with Thalawakelle Plantation (Hayleys) — and distributing 8 electric three-wheelers and 15 e-bikes.

Parenthood Global held the Mom Leaders Conference on 21 May 2026 at Cinnamon Life, recognising Top 10 Most Outstanding Mom-Inclusive Workplaces including Ceylon Tobacco Company, Hemas Holdings, DFCC Bank and National Development Bank; sponsors included Maharaja Foods and others.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka forum highlighted the newly enacted SLTFTA and reported bilateral trade rose 48% to $649m in 2025. Officials said the FTA and related measures should expand market access and investment across logistics, manufacturing, tourism, food processing, IT and healthcare.

Colombo bourse finished the week higher, with the ASPI up 0.21% and the S&P SL20 up 0.51%; yesterday ASPI closed at 22,409.81 and the S&P SL20 at 6,247.42. Turnover topped Rs.1.9bn with foreign net inflow of Rs.9.3m; COCR, PKME and SIL led turnover while ACL fell and Hayleys, HNB Finance, Lanka Realty and CIC posted gains.

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.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher with the ASPI up 0.89% to 22,407.04 and the S&P SL20 up 0.99% to 6,242.75 on Rs.2.72bn turnover; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.50.3m.

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.