News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday, ASPI +0.54% to 22,294.71 with turnover Rs.700m and materials leading turnover at Rs.192.7m. Top movers included Hayleys, Sunshine and HNB (positive) while Royal Ceramics, SMB Finance and Aitken Spence fell; Jetwing Symphony declared a final dividend of Rs.0.50 and its shares rose 3.6%.

Dialog Axiata (DIAL.N0000) became the Colombo Stock Exchange's largest listed company with a market cap of Rs. 367.09 billion after its share price rose 7% to Rs. 39.90 on May 25. John Keells stood at Rs. 359.36bn and Ceylon Tobacco at Rs. 341.91bn; Commercial Bank was the largest bank at Rs. 320.88bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.85% to 22,175.14, with market turnover at Rs.4.92bn and insurance stocks leading turnover at Rs.3.18bn. Top gainers included Ceylon Beverage (+5.20%), Lion Brewery (+3.06%) and Ceylon Guardian (+5.43%), while Sampath Bank, Hayleys and HNB were top decliners.

The central bank hiked rates 100bp to 8.75%, and the Colombo Stock Exchange fell with the ASPI down 0.51% to 22,249.88; market turnover was Rs.2.99bn with insurance leading at Rs.2.6bn. Lanka Ashok Leyland proposed a final dividend of Rs30/share and Lighthouse Hotel declared a final dividend of Rs3/share.

Dialog Axiata regained the top spot on the Colombo Stock Exchange with a market cap of Rs. 367.1 billion (4.51% of total market cap), overtaking John Keells Holdings at Rs. 359.4 billion.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 1.98% to 21,856 amid concerns over rupee depreciation (buy 334.50 / sell 343.50). Top negatives included Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, John Keells, Ceylinco Insurance and HNB; Swisstek rose, and Ambeon reported a Q3 loss of Rs.221.7m with its share down 4.72%.

The ASPI fell 2.59% (592.28 points) to 22,313.47 — its third-largest single-day points decline — as the CSE closed sharply lower with turnover nearly Rs.4.9bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.114.3m. Key negative contributors included John Keells, RIL Property, Hayleys, Commercial Bank and Colombo Dockyard while capital goods and banking sectors led turnover and losses.

The India–Sri Lanka Business Forum in Mumbai on 13 May 2026 highlighted renewed momentum in trade, investment and connectivity across tourism, renewable energy, ICT, logistics and infrastructure, with John Keells chair Krishan Balendra among delegates promoting deeper private‑sector ties.

Hayleys Mobility (part of Hayleys Group) says the JAECOO J7 PHEV has achieved five-star ratings from both Euro NCAP and Australasian NCAP. The company also notes OMODA E5, C9 and C5 have earned five-star Euro NCAP safety ratings.

Dipped Products PLC inaugurated a Rs. 2.3 billion expansion at its Kottawa facility, adding two advanced glove dipping plants, an ETP and a high-efficiency steam boiler with robotic automation to boost high-value glove exports. Parent Hayleys PLC is positioned to benefit from higher export volumes and FX inflows.

Dipped Products PLC (DIPD.N0000) inaugurated a Rs. 2.3 billion expansion at its Kottawa facility to boost automated high-value glove production. The project—by Hayleys PLC’s subsidiary—adds advanced robotic dipping lines, a 2,000 m3/day ETP and a high-efficiency boiler to support exports and sustainability.

Ambeon Capital's subsidiary Ambeon Essentials closed its mandatory offer for Harischandra Mills with acceptances representing a 51.11% controlling stake at Rs.3,400 per share. The controlling stake was valued at ~Rs.3.34 billion (total equity ~Rs.6.5 billion); Hayleys was the top shareholder with 40.58%.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as ASPI fell 2.59% (592.28 pts) to 22,313.47. Brokers cited broad selling with John Keells, RIL Property, Hayleys, Commercial Bank and Colombo Dockyard weighing on the index while Ceylinco Insurance was a positive contributor; Lion Brewery and Ceylon Beverage reported higher quarterly profits.

Hayleys (via Hayleys Fentons) signed a JV with Jyoti Structures to build the Mannar–Mullikulam 220kV double-circuit transmission line, the inaugural NTNSP contract to evacuate Mullikulam wind power to the national grid. The project will support renewable integration and expands Hayleys Fentons into infrastructure.

Sri Lanka's Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat on Friday, with the ASPI up 0.03% at 22,905; Amana Bank said KPMG will replace Ernst & Young as its auditors. Capital goods led turnover and the week ended with mixed movers including Hayleys, Commercial Bank and several financial stocks down.

Dialog Axiata reported a net profit of Rs.9.19 billion for the quarter ended Mar 31, 2026 (up 122.3% y/y) and announced an interim cash dividend of 70 cents per share. The Colombo bourse was up (ASPI +0.28%) midday with Rs.1.81bn turnover, led by capital goods (Rs.870.3m).

Colombo Stock Exchange was slightly higher midday Thursday — ASPI +0.04% (22,930) and S&P SL20 +0.11% (6,276). Top gainers included John Keells, Alumex, RIL Property and Lion Brewery while Sampath, Vallibel One, Hayleys and Malwatte fell; NDB reported a High Court order in a derivative action and Harischandra appointed four board members.

HNB PLC signed an MoU with Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) to offer customer financing for domestic and C&I solar installations, including flexible repayment periods of up to seven years and competitive interest rates to expand solar adoption.

ANC Campus hosted a dialogue with Hayleys' executive director and Janashakthi's CEO on geopolitical risks and private-sector resilience; the University of West England will open its first Sri Lanka branch campus in June. Speakers urged firms to adopt AI, diversify exports and streamline approvals to attract investment.

SDB bank signed an MoU with Hayleys Mobility to offer structured private vehicle leasing with a notable emphasis on electric vehicle (EV) financing across Sri Lanka. The partnership intends to integrate vehicle selection and financing to improve accessibility and convenience for customers nationwide.

John Keells Holdings chair Krishan Balendra will lead a 19-member Sri Lankan corporate delegation to Mumbai for the India–Sri Lanka Business Forum on 13 May to engage Indian counterparts on trade, investment and partnerships. Sri Lanka and India have also discussed a proposed $450m post-conflict reconstruction package.

Colombo Stock Exchange was flat at midday: ASPI up 0.01% to 23,065 while banks led turnover at Rs.2.85 billion. Top movers included CDB (+4.65%), JKH (+0.49%), HHL (+1.21%) and NTB (+1.08%), while HAYL, COMB and DFCC fell.

The Ceylon Chamber will lead a senior corporate delegation to Mumbai for the India–Sri Lanka Business Forum on 13 May 2026, with leaders from John Keells, Aitken Spence, Hayleys, Sierra Cables and Vidullanka among participants to engage Indian investors on trade and investment opportunities.

The ASPI reclaimed 23,000 on 8 May 2026, closing at 23,063.98 (+0.29%) with total turnover of Rs. 4.09 billion. Ceylinco Insurance and Hayleys were the main positive contributors, Colombo Dockyard led turnover, and John Keells was the top negative contributor.

Colombo market rose 2.28% for the week as the ASPI crossed 23,000, closing at 23,063.98. Top positive contributors were CINS, HAYL, DOCK, DIAL and HNB; turnover was ~Rs.4.1bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.26.2m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 0.29% (66.12 points) at 23,063 after a volatile session that briefly breached 23,000. Hayleys and Dialog were top positive contributors, and Hatton Plantations said Durga Infra bought 10,245,384 shares and now holds 12.5%.

Hayleys PLC co-chair Dhammika Perera subscribed for 22.95 million shares at Rs.200 in Hayleys' Rs.9 billion rights issue, investing Rs.4.6 billion to strengthen the group's balance sheet and partially settle debt. He holds a 51% stake in the company.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 0.69% to 22,739 and S&P SL20 gained 0.51% to 6,245, with John Keells, Melstacorp and Hayleys among top positive contributors and DFCC, Lion Brewery and CDB leading declines; market turnover was Rs.4.13bn.

CSE All Share Index fell 0.49% (110.70 pts) to 22,584 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.31% to 6,225 as brokers said Middle East escalation spurred retail selling. Bank counters saw selling, turnover was Rs 2.15bn with crossings in JKH, COMB, LLUB and LFIN, and Colombo Dockyard narrowed its quarterly loss to Rs 428.1m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 101.59 points (0.45%) to 22,593 as the Colombo Stock Exchange trended down. Melstacorp, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Dialog Axiata were top positive contributors while Hayleys and Sampath Bank were among the top negatives; market turnover was Rs.1.5bn and a merchant bank announced a Rs.999.12mn rights issue.