News & market updates

Hayleys Fentons Limited was named Sri Lanka’s Best Integrated Solutions Provider in Engineering Services at the World Business Outlook Awards 2025 in Bangkok. Hayleys Fentons, part of Hayleys PLC, is recognised as a leading solar EPC and MEP contractor, highlighting its engineering and renewable-energy credentials.

New owners have committed over Rs. 600 million for safety, operational and aesthetic upgrades at the Altair Colombo apartment and retail complex after Blackstone India's acquisition of its parent, with TWC providing strategic oversight. Blue-chip firms including John Keells and Hayleys are using Altair to showcase products.

Hayleys PLC's agriculture arm won multiple honours at the Presidential Export Awards 2024/2025: HJS Condiments was named Best Exporter – Processed Fruits & Vegetables, Quality Seed Company won Best Exporter – Floriculture, and Hayleys Agro Biotech received a Merit Award, recognising strong export performance and innovation.

Hayleys Mobility opened a state-of-the-art Delivery Centre at No.75, Arnold Ratnayake Mawatha, Colombo 10 to allow customers to view and collect electric and plug-in hybrid SUVs, showcasing models such as the Jaecoo J7 PHEV and Omoda E5 while offering warranties, after-sales support, EV charging and financing options.

Colombo Bourse closed lower with the ASPI down 0.17% (37.12 pts) to 22,292.57 on subdued activity and profit-taking, with turnover over Rs.2.3bn. Top negative contributors included DOCK, SFCL, RICH, MELS and BREW, while Tokyo Cement and Hemas saw notable investor participation.

Sampath Bank signed an MoU with Hayleys Mobility to support purchases of new-energy vehicles, offering eligible customers a 0.5% p.a. reduction on published vehicle lease interest rates. The offer also includes short-term no-interest insurance loans, 0% 12-month card plans for insurance payments, Hayleys warranties/after-sales and EV charging access via StarCharge.

HNB PLC has partnered with Hayleys Fentons to offer tailored EV leasing, discounted insurance and complimentary life cover (Rs.600,000 natural death; Rs.4,500,000 accidental), plus a 7kW charger and service benefits to support EV adoption.

Colombo market extended its rally to five sessions as the ASPI gained 1,011.18 pts (4.7%) for the week, reclaiming Rs.320.65 bn in market value; yesterday ASPI closed at 22,508.26 with turnover of Rs.3 bn. Top contributors included SFCL, JKH, HAYL, WIND and VLL; DOCK and HNB saw share price declines.

Dipped Products PLC donated 50,000 protective gloves to the Ministry of Defence for flood relief. The gloves, handed over by Hayleys PLC's chairman alongside DPL's MD, will be deployed to assist relief personnel and volunteers in flood-affected areas.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.22% as the ASPI closed at 22,508.26 with turnover down to 3.02 billion rupees. Vidullanka and Windforce were awarded contracts to develop 50MW wind plants in Mannar, and several stocks (Senkadagala Finance, John Keells, Hayleys, Windforce, Vidullanka) helped lift the index.

Speculative trading in Colombo Dockyard lifted the Colombo Stock Exchange—ASPI rose 1.90% to 22,452.22 while Colombo Dockyard gained 43 rupees to 217. Momentum spread into banks and construction, with higher turnover of 6.2 billion rupees and several active stocks advancing.

Cabinet approved the 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' Fund to finance recovery from Cyclone Ditwah and appointed a management committee chaired by Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando that includes private-sector representatives from Hayleys, John Keells, Aitken Spence and LOLC.

Government will establish a post-disaster rebuilding fund managed by a joint public–private committee to finance reconstruction of highways, irrigation, houses and plantations; the World Bank's GRADE damage assessment is expected in about two weeks.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka held CATALYZE 2025 on 24 November, convening business leaders including John Keells, Aitken Spence, Hemas, Hayleys, DIMO and Kelani Valley Plantations to discuss digital supply chains, gender equality, climate action, water stewardship and other sustainability priorities.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will attend the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025 on Dec 2 for a fireside chat on the government's economic rebuilding plans. The two-day summit (Dec 2-3) has drawn over 850 participants and includes sponsors/partners such as Sunshine Holdings, Dialog and Hayleys.

Hayleys Lifesciences and Hemas (via Hemas Hospitals) joined a Sri Lankan delegation to MEDICA 2025 in Düsseldorf to seek partnerships, engage on regulatory standards and explore digital health and export opportunities.

Hayleys Fentons reported 1,300 Rhizophora apiculata propagules survived in its 'Roots of Resilience' mangrove project, exceeding the 1,000 target; independent verification found current carbon sequestration of ~7.6 tCO2e with potential to reach 11.2 tCO2e at maturity.

The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025 (Dec 2–3) is sold out with over 850 participants, including 100+ international delegates. Session and partnership sponsors include Sunshine Holdings, Dialog Axiata and Hayleys (Hayleys Advantis); sessions cover trade, investment, renewable energy, tourism, finance and technology.

Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC launched its 'ESG Roadmap 2030 – Where Dreams Take Flight', establishing policies and measurable ESG targets (green financing, energy-efficient operations, human capital, community empowerment, governance) aligned with Singer Group, Hayleys and global standards and to be reported annually until 2030.

Union Bank hosted a panel discussion on sustainable finance covering climate finance, digital economy transition, women’s financing and social entrepreneurship. Hayleys PLC's Group Treasury head Sriyamal Gamage participated as a panelist.

Union Bank held a panel on sustainable finance covering climate finance, digital economy transition, women financing and social entrepreneurship, with Hayleys PLC represented on the panel by its Group Treasury representative.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Colombo bourse closed marginally down as the ASPI fell 0.09% (21.80 pts) to 23,029.86 on turnover of over Rs. 3.8bn and net foreign outflow of Rs. 4.7m. Major negative contributors included Commercial Bank, Dialog, Colombo Dockyard, DFCC and NDB, while J.F. Packaging rose on debut.

Dipped Products (DIPD.N0000) launched the 40-hectare EcoPulse Cloud Forest Restoration Project on Dell Mountain in partnership with Horana Plantations, focusing on montane forest restoration and biodiversity protection; Dipped said 94% of its energy use is now from renewables.

Hayleys PLC's Advantis Group held the Advantis Awards 2025, recognising operational and ESG achievements including a new 3PL distribution-centre contract, conversion of the M.V. Melissa to a Colombo–Malé feeder vessel, onboard solar integration and a 100% on-time humanitarian logistics record.

Hayleys PLC reported 1H Profit Before Tax of Rs. 13.33 billion (up 5% YoY). Consolidated revenue rose 14% to Rs. 269.53 billion for the six months (2Q revenue +13%), PAT and EBITDA improved, it acquired a substantial stake in Harischandra Mills PLC and retained a 'AAA (lka)' Fitch rating.

Colombo market recovered from early losses to finish the week essentially flat, with the ASPI down 0.01% at 23,459.75 and the S&P SL20 down 0.34% at 6,435.93. Market turnover was over Rs. 5.6 billion, foreigners were net sellers (~Rs. 5.9m), and heavy activity was led by banking, capital goods and food sectors.