News & market updates

ASPI fell 1.47% to 22,644.88, a five-week low, while the S&P SL20 dropped 1.33% to 6,279.71. Declines in banks and blue-chips led losses (notably HNB, RICH, NDB, SAMP and JKH); turnover was Rs.4.95bn with foreigners net buying ~Rs.83.2m and heavy activity in Hemas, DOCK and York.

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.

ASPI closed 0.17% lower at 22,812.52 (‑38.43 pts) as profit-taking pushed the market into the red; turnover was Rs.6.2bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.25.8m. Capital Goods led activity while HARI, SAMP, MELS and SFCL were key negative contributors and DOCK and RCL saw notable moves.

Colombo market rebounded with the ASPI up 0.35% to 22,174.74 and turnover of Rs.13.3 billion amid upbeat sentiment after the IMF's positive review; the banking sector led turnover (48%) and Commercial Bank, DIMO, Bukit Darah, Carson and Wind were among top contributors.

Colombo market dipped as ASPI fell 0.3% and S&P SL20 fell 0.4% on turnover of Rs.7.3bn, with foreign investors net sellers of Rs.196.2m. Banking counters and conglomerates saw profit-taking while food retail and capital goods recorded high turnover and mixed price moves.

Colombo market closed marginally up as the ASPI rose 0.2% (47 points) on turnover of Rs.7.46 bn while the S&P SL20 fell 0.2%. Dialog, Ambeon, Bukit Darah, Carson Cumberbatch and LOLC led gains, with EB Creasy, Sierra Cables, LVL Energy Fund and Raigam Wayamba also active and recording price gains.

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI fell 0.23% (47 pts) to 19,929 with turnover around Rs.7.1bn and foreign net selling of Rs.28.5m amid profit-taking. Transportation led turnover (20%) driven by Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, while banking contributed strongly with activity in Sampath Bank and HNB.

Colombo market closed higher as ASPI rose 0.25% with turnover of Rs. 7.56bn, boosted by a ~7% stake crossing in National Development Bank. Banking drove activity (67% of turnover) while several banks and financials including NDB, Capital Alliance and others led contributions.

ASPI rose 96.45 points (0.49%) to close at 19,923 as the CSE opened with mixed sentiment; foreigners were net sellers with a net outflow of Rs.117.2m. Banking led turnover (25%) while Capital Goods and Diversified Financials together contributed 28% of turnover.

ASPI fell 0.64% to 19,786 after briefly crossing the 20,000 mark, with turnover of Rs.4.53bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.8.2m. Banking stocks and conglomerates weighed on the market, with JKH, MELS, NDB, AEL and BUKI among top negative contributors while DFCC and Royal Ceramics saw gains.

Colombo market fell as ASPI declined 0.58% (around 106 points) and S&P SL20 down 0.5% on low turnover of Rs.2.4bn; major drags included Melstacorp, Colombo Dockyard, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence and NDB, while turnover was led by Sampath, John Keells and Vallibel Finance.

Colombo's ASPI finished the week up 1.5%, closing at 18,148 (up 47 pts) while the S&P SL20 gained 1.6%, with weekly turnover averaging Rs.6.8bn. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, Sunshine and CT Holdings, and food retailing led turnover.

Hela Apparel Holdings divested two running garment factories in Mawathagama and Narammala and a freehold property with warehouse in Uhumeeya to Singapore-based Q Collection Pte Ltd, securing BOI approval and injecting foreign direct investment into the company.

Hela Apparel Holdings PLC sold two operating garment factories (Mawathagama and Narammala) and a freehold warehouse in Uhumeeya to Singapore-based Q Collection Ltd in an FDI-backed deal advised by TWC Capital after securing BOI approvals. The transaction injects foreign capital into Hela and targets European markets amid apparel sector headwinds.

Colombo bourse rebounded as ASPI rose 0.8% (145 pts) to 18,142 on turnover of Rs.7.8bn, led by strong activity in Capital Goods and Banking; CTHR, DOCK, AEL, RIL and JKH were among top positive contributors.

ASPI fell 30 points to 17,997 as turnover hit Rs.7.63 billion, led by large crossings in LOLC Finance, L B Finance and Sampath Bank. Top turnover contributors included LOFC, JKH, Central Finance, Panasian Power and Sampath Bank, while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.3.4bn.

Q Collection Ltd has acquired and taken operational control of Hela Group’s subsidiary Jinadasa Bennett Ltd as it establishes manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka; Hela says proceeds will be used to settle short-term liabilities and strengthen its financial position.

Hela Apparel Holdings PLC has transferred operational control and assets of its subsidiary Jinadasa Bennett (Private) Limited to Singapore’s Q Collection, with all employees offered continued employment and proceeds earmarked to settle short-term liabilities and strengthen Hela's financial position.

Hela Apparel Holdings (HELA.N0000) sold 100% of its shareholding in Jinadasa Bennett Ltd. and Foundation Bennette Ltd. — which hold the Narammala and Mawathagama plants and a warehouse — to Singapore's Q Collection for Rs. 2.7 billion. Proceeds will be used to settle short-term liabilities and strengthen the balance sheet while Hela continues to market the facilities and Q Collection fulfils manufacturing orders, with no material revenue impact expected.

Hela Apparel Holdings PLC sold two Sri Lankan manufacturing sub-subsidiaries to Q Collection Pte Ltd for LKR 2.7 billion to settle short-term liabilities and strengthen its balance sheet. The BOI approved the transaction on 14 May 2025; Hela will continue to market the facilities' capacity while Q Collection fulfils orders.