News & market updates

Dipped Products PLC launched 'DPL EasyPay', a digitised procurement system connecting 4,500+ latex farmers and 40+ agents, enabling 50% instant payments at collection and saving ~6,200 man-hours monthly. The offline-capable platform adds QR traceability, biometric validation and SAP integration and is shortlisted for a digital impact award.

Singer (Sri Lanka) agreed to buy ACME Printing and Packaging's Piliyandala factory for Rs630 million to expand its local manufacturing. ACME said the sale is part of its restructuring; Singer reported a 47% rise in December-quarter profits to Rs2.1 billion.

Hayleys Mobility, part of the Hayleys group, served as the Official Automobile Partner for the President’s Trophy Inter-School Knockout Final, sponsoring the schools rugby final at Sugathadasa Stadium. Trinity College defeated Royal College in the match.

Hayleys Fentons Limited was named among the Top 40 Outstanding Companies at the Best Management Practices Company Awards 2026, winning multiple awards including Winner in Power & Energy – Renewable and in Construction and Project Engineering; the business is part of the Hayleys group.

Hayleys PLC's rights issue was oversubscribed, receiving applications for 55,243,312 shares totaling Rs.11,048,662,400 versus 45,000,000 shares offered (target Rs.9,000,000,000). Proceeds will fund new investments and part-settle existing debt.

Hayleys PLC said its Rs.9 billion rights issue was oversubscribed, receiving subscriptions for 55,243,312 shares totaling Rs.11,048,662,400. The company noted the disclosure is subject to cheque realisations, bank confirmations and other verifications.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) installed an 80 kW AC solar power system at Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya in Anuradhapura. The project, done with Manusath Derana and donors led by Ms. Kumuduni Abeysiriwardena, is intended to meet the temple's energy needs and cut long-term costs.

Rights issue · 3:50 at Rs 200.00 · XD Mar 18, 2026

Dhammika Fernando was re-elected chairman of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association for 2026/2027 and urged policy reforms, faster approvals and improved ease of doing business to support exporters and sustain investment and employment.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as the ASPI rose 0.82% to 22,773.29 on Apr 17, 2026, led by gains in Central Finance (+5.83%), Hemas (+5.06%), Hayleys (+2.17%) and C T Holdings (+4.14%); NDB (-2.11%), HNB (-0.54%) and Commercial Bank (-0.47%) were top decliners.

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday as the ASPI rose 0.65% to 22,735.61 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.51% to 6,262.75, with turnover at Rs 2bn. Top movers included Central Finance, Hayleys, Hemas and Browns Investments (up) while NDB, Melstacorp and HNB lagged; Commercial Bank listed scrip-dividend shares and Browns Beach Hotels will resume trading Apr 17–27.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.47% to 22,588.97, led by gains in Carson Cumberbatch, Hayleys and Dialog Axiata while Asian Hotels & Properties and DFCC Bank were among decliners. Turnover was Rs.4.96bn with capital goods contributing Rs.951m.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) completed an 800 kW rooftop solar installation for London Stock Exchange Group in Malabe, expected to generate ~1,250 MWh/year, supply ~80% of LSEG's daytime electricity and cut ~850 tonnes CO2 annually. The six-building, 1,412-panel system was delivered in two months with a zero-accident record.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher after a US‑Iran ceasefire: ASPI rose 4.09% to 21,891.97 while the S&P SL20 fell 4.60% to 6,100.99. Top gainers included Commercial Bank (+6.01%), John Keells Holding (+6.49%), HNB (+4.58%), Hayleys (+4.27%) and Melstacorp (+3.24%); turnover Rs1.75bn and Brent at $94/bbl.

National Development Bank's trading halt was lifted and its shares fell to Rs.115.00 from Rs.130.50 after investors reacted to a reported Rs.13.4 billion fraud. The ASPI was down 0.12% at 21,100.65 and Vidullanka authorised acquiring 100% of the 4.5MW Gurugoda mini-hydro plant.

Hayleys Mobility (part of Hayleys PLC) opened a Kaiyi Flagship Store in Colombo, showcasing the Kaiyi eVibe E04 EV with a CLTC-certified 300 km range and up to 30-minute fast-charging capability.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally down as the ASPI fell 0.12% to 21,066.18 after an intra-day dip below 21,000, with turnover ~Rs.3.6bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.125m. Sampath, NDB, Hayleys, ACL Cables and PGP Glass were cited as top negative contributors and the ASPI was down 11.24% for March.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down with the ASPI down 0.12% to 21,066.18 and turnover at 3.57 billion rupees. Crossings included John Keells (11,971,313 shares) and Seylan Bank (300,000), and Dipped Products and Haycarb announced cash dividends of 0.76 and 1.70 rupees per share respectively.

Colombo Stock Exchange eased at midday with the ASPI down 0.33% to 21,022.14 and the S&P SL20 down 0.47% to 5,881.20. Brent futures fell below $110; Sampath Bank, Hayleys and ACL Cables were top decliners while Renuka Agri Foods rose after a filing showed a 10.04% shareholding.

The ASPI fell 1.33% (283.49 pts) to 21,092.24 as Colombo market opened lower amid rising oil prices and Mideast tensions; principal detractors included John Keells, NDB, Hayleys, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank while Lanka IOC and Browns Investments saw gains.

Dipped Products PLC (DIPD.N0000) was named Overall Winner – Most Outstanding Exporter 2025 at the National Chamber of Exporters Awards, winning five awards including Highest Net Foreign Exchange Earner and Gold in Rubber & Rubber Products. The company, part of Hayleys Group, was also recognised for emerging markets performance and inclusive employment.

Ambeon Capital (via subsidiary Ambeon Essentials) launched a voluntary offer to buy all Harischandra Mills shares at Rs.3,400 per share (equity value ~Rs.6.5bn); the SPA covers 51.11% (981,118 shares) at Rs.3.34bn and the offer will convert to a mandatory offer on acceptance.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down 1.33% as Brent crude stayed above $115/bbl; ASPI fell 283.49 pts to 21,092.24 and S&P SL20 dropped 91.03 pts to 5,908.96. Turnover was Rs 4.76bn with diversified financials contributing Rs 1.612bn; JKH and Sampath saw crossings.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the ASPI down 0.86% to 21,192.24 as Brent crude climbed past $115/bbl. Turnover was Rs 1 billion; top gainers were Bukit Darah (up 8.96%) and Browns Investments (up 8.77%), while Hayleys, Commercial Bank and NDB were among the biggest losers.

Ambeon Essentials (a subsidiary of Ambeon Capital) made a voluntary offer to buy 1,919,600 ordinary voting shares of Harischandra Mills at Rs 3,400 per share. Hayleys previously offered Rs 3,300 after acquiring a 40.58% stake, and Harischandra was trading at Rs 4,810.25.

CSE extended its rebound as the ASPI rose 3.79% (797.62 pts) to 21,868.85, with market value gaining Rs.284.1 billion in the session and recouping about 48% of the Rs.1.1 trillion loss since the Middle East conflict began. Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Melstacorp, John Keells and Hayleys led gains; turnover topped Rs.6.4bn and foreigners were net sellers (Rs.525m).

HNB Finance PLC and Hayleys Mobility (Hayleys PLC) have formed a strategic partnership to expand Sri Lanka's NEV market by offering tailored leasing with preferential rates, doorstep services and value-added after-sales support, including complimentary registration and a 7kW home charger.

Colombo Stock Exchange jumped as ASPI closed up 3.79% at 21,868.85 and the S&P SL20 rose 3.81% to 6,134.23. Top positives included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, John Keells and Hayleys; turnover was Rs.6.41bn with highest activity in food, beverages & tobacco.

The ASPI rose 3.47% (706.26 pts) to 21,071.23, recovering Rs. 244 billion on reports of a possible de‑escalation in the Middle East; the S&P SL20 gained 3.91% to 5,909.23. Market turnover exceeded Rs. 4.2 billion with gains led by Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, John Keells and Colombo Dockyard while foreigners were net sellers.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +1.35% to 20,360.27 and S&P SL20 +4.24% to 5,927.87, led by gains in Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, John Keells, Hatton National Bank and Hayleys. Market turnover was Rs.4.22bn; capital goods saw the most turnover and NDB raised Rs.16bn in a green/sustainability-linked bond.