News & market updates

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum centred on implementing the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA to boost trade and investment after bilateral trade reached USD 649m in 2025 (+48% vs 2024). Delegates highlighted opportunities in logistics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, IT, healthcare and tourism and urged streamlined customs and predictable FTA implementation.

Citizens Development Business Finance (CDB.N0000) signed an MoU with Hayleys Mobility on June 16, 2026 to provide tailored financing for electric and hybrid vehicles, offering flexible repayment tenors, exclusive insurance benefits and lifetime annual fee waivers on CDB credit cards for Hayleys customers.

The Thailand–Sri Lanka Business Forum highlighted opportunities from the new Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA, with bilateral trade at USD 649m in 2025 (up 48%) and commitments to boost supply chains, investment and trade across food processing, logistics, IT, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing.

Sri Lanka and Thailand plan to deepen trade and investment using the Sri Lanka–Thailand FTA and enhanced B2B engagement, targeting tourism, hospitality, food processing, agriculture, logistics and other sectors to boost bilateral ties and supply‑chain links.

Hayleys Mobility (Hayleys PLC) opened a new authorised sales-partner showroom in Anuradhapura with CarSwitch, expanding retail access to brands JAECOO, OMODA, KAIYI and SRM in the North Central Province. The showroom offers vehicle sales, consultation and dedicated after-sales support to strengthen regional reach.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.25% to 22,305.37 (down 55.94 pts) while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.30% to 6,196.50. Market turnover was Rs 423.9m, led by insurance at Rs 135.1m; NDB, Sampath and Lion Brewery were top gainers while Hayleys, Aitken Spence, Haycarb and LOLC led losses.

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha met Sri Lankan business leaders including John Keells Holdings' Krishan Balendra and Hayleys' Dhammika Perera; John Keells-backed Colombo West International Terminal handled over 1 million TEUs in its first year. Sri Lanka's cabinet approved a 2,269.18 million rupee transmission-line tender to a JV including Hayleys Fentons, and talks covered trade, investment and a Rupee-to-Rupee commercial corridor with India.

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.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat, with the ASPI up 0.04% at 22,385 and the S&P SL20 down 0.17% at 6,210; turnover was 2.5 billion rupees. Top positive contributors were CT Holdings, Lion Brewery and Hayleys.

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI fell 0.02% to 22,377.29 after an early peak at 22,563.09, while the S&P SL20 rose 0.03% to 6,221.32 on turnover of Rs. 3.85bn. Foreigners were net buyers (Rs. 427.1m); top contributors were JKH, HAYL, DOCK, BREW and BIL, with CARG, CINS, SAMP, NDB and CFIN weighing on the index.

Alumex PLC has installed a new 20 MN, 7-inch aluminium extrusion line at its Sapugaskanda plant, expected to exceed 1,000 kg/hour and monthly output over 2,000 tonnes. The Industry 4.0 line includes AI/IoT production controls and is projected to cut energy use 30–40%, boosting yield and export capability.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys Fentons) completed a 1.7MWp rooftop solar installation for GPV Lanka in Negombo, supplying part of the site's operational energy needs. The project supports GPV's energy-efficiency goals and Hayleys' renewable energy service activity.

Hayleys PLC secured a District Court of Kaduwela enjoining order preventing former MP Wimal Weerawansa from making or publishing defamatory statements about the company. Hayleys has sought Rs. 6 billion in cumulative damages; the matter is listed for hearing on 23 June 2026.

Colombo Stock Exchange trended up intraday, with the ASPI +0.26% (55.89 pts) to 21,603.06 and the S&P SL20 +0.16% (9.59 pts) to 6,010.27; market turnover was LKR 511.7m, led by capital goods (LKR 32.3m). Top positive contributors included Melstacorp, Hayleys, John Keells and Lanka IOC; Commercial Bank, Malwatte Valley Plantations and Ceylon Cold Stores were top negatives.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.83% to 21,581.80 midday, led by gains in Dialog, Hayleys, Colombo Fort Land & Building and Browns Investments; Commercial Bank slipped and Hela Apparel faces a trading suspension effective June 18 unless compliance is rectified by June 16.

Hayleys PLC's Team Hayleys won the Union Bank Mind Marathon 2026; Team CL Synergy finished second and Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) placed third.

The Colombo ASPI fell 2.54% for the week (S&P SL20 down 2.2%), wiping about Rs. 206 billion off market capitalisation. Major negative contributors were COMB, HAYL, JKH, WIND and SPEN, with turnover near Rs. 2.98 billion.

HNB PLC has signed an MoU with Hayleys Agriculture Holdings to expand leasing solutions for Kubota and Agrotech agricultural machinery across Sri Lanka. The partnership will finance tractors, combine harvesters, power tillers and rice milling machines to boost farm mechanisation.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat with the ASPI down 0.07% at 21,744; market turnover was Rs.2.98bn, led by capital goods at Rs.1.26bn. HNB Finance issued a notification on rights issue application procedures for shareholders (record date June 3) and its shares closed down 1.11% at Rs.8.90.

Hayleys Mobility (part of Hayleys group) launched the JAECOO J5 HEV hybrid SUV, priced at LKR 19.9 million with an introductory LKR 1 million discount for the first 100 customers. The J5 HEV delivers 221 hp, 18.9 km/l fuel efficiency, a >950 km range, and is backed by 7-year vehicle and 8-year battery warranties.

HayWind One, part of the Hayleys group, received the first 25 MW (five of ten turbines) for its 50 MW Mannar wind farm at Trincomalee Port; transfers to the Mannar site will continue over the next three months. The project is expected to yield about Rs.100 billion in imported fuel savings over 20 years.

Hayleys' wind arm received the first 25 MW of turbines for the 50 MW Mannar wind farm, with components landing at Trincomalee Port and transfers to the Mannar site to continue over the next three months. The project is expected to deliver about Rs.100 billion in imported fuel savings over 20 years.

Hayleys Plantations (Hayleys PLC group) was recognised among Sri Lanka’s most awarded corporate groups in 2025; Talawakelle Tea Estates ranked No.1 nationally, Kelani Valley Plantations No.3 and Horana Plantations No.15. LMD highlighted the group's sustainability and ESG leadership.

Hayleys PLC agreed to sell its Maldivian subsidiary Luxury Resort (Pvt) Ltd to Bohemia Luxury Resort for USD 17.25m. The group recognised impairment losses of LKR 6.9bn and a LKR 1.23bn loss from discontinued operations, with assets held for sale of LKR 6.05bn.

Hayleys PLC reported FY2025/26 revenue of Rs.585.02 bn (up 19%) and consolidated Profit Before Tax of Rs.38.04 bn (up 4%). Consumer & Retail revenue rose 44% to Rs.156.74 bn, Q4 revenue grew 29%, the group completed a Rs.9 bn rights issue and Fitch affirmed a 'AAA (lka)' rating.

Seylan Bank PLC has partnered with Hayleys Fentons Limited to offer a dedicated EV leasing facility with competitive interest rates, up to 7-year repayment terms and 24-hour approvals. The program covers EV brands represented by Hayleys Fentons and includes doorstep support and island-wide branch assistance.

HNB PLC has signed a strategic partnership with Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd to provide leasing for Kubota and Agrotech agricultural machinery across Sri Lanka. The collaboration aims to improve farmers' access to tractors, combine harvesters and other equipment to boost mechanisation and productivity.

Colombo market closed down 0.85% at 22,175.14 after the CBSL raised the policy rate by 100bps and amid heightened Middle East tensions. Foreign investors were net sellers of over Rs.3bn, turnover was Rs.4.93bn with AAIC crossings accounting for about Rs.3.1bn.