News & market updates

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.33% (72.70 pts) to 21,851.30, while the S&P SL20 gained 0.20% to 6,138.79. Top contributors included Melstacorp (173.50), Hemas Holdings (33.50) and Diesel & Motor Engineering (2,184.75); market turnover was 6.5 billion rupees.

The Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry held its 17th AGM on 26 September; M. Raghuraman was re-elected president and Lanka IOC MD Dipak Das was elected a vice-president. Panelists urged deeper India–Sri Lanka cooperation in energy, digital infrastructure and trade; committee includes Hemas, John Keells, Lanka Ashok Leyland, PGP Glass, Sunshine and TAL Lanka Hotels.

The Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry held its 17th AGM on 26 Sep 2025; M. Raghuraman was re-elected President and Dipak Das (MD, Lanka IOC) and Krishna Selvanathan were elected Vice Presidents. The ILCCI committee includes Hemas, Lanka Ashok Leyland, PGP Glass, Sunshine and TAL Lanka Hotels among others.

The ASPI closed at 21,599, rising 0.36% (78 points) on the day and finishing the week up 2.4% (S&P SL20 up 1.9% for the week). Turnover was Rs.6.02bn yesterday (week avg daily Rs.7.11bn); capital goods led turnover and top contributors included Hemas, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, CIC, Gran, Sunshine, Kelani Cables and John Keells.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.36% to 21,598.99, led by gains in Dialog Axiata, Hemas Holdings, Ceylon Grain Elevators, Sunshine Holdings and Kelani Cables, with market turnover at 6 billion rupees.

Colombo bourse rose as the ASPI gained 0.86% (closing at 21,521) with turnover of Rs. 9.29 billion, led by banking-sector activity and top contributors SAMP, CTC, CFIN, SFCL and DIST. Nations Trust Bank fell, while Jetwing Symphony, Ceylon Hotels and Hemas recorded gains.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.57% to 21,085, led by Sierra Cables and diversified conglomerates; market turnover was Rs 6.5bn with Sierra Cables contributing Rs 1.2bn. Top index contributors included John Keells, Hayleys, Sierra Cables, Melstacorp and Aitken Spence; net foreign inflow was Rs 58.21m.

Colombo stocks rose for a second session as the ASPI gained 0.76% (156.05 pts) to 20,775.42 on turnover of Rs. 6.61bn, with foreigners net selling Rs. 580m. Commercial Bank, Hemas and Melstacorp were top positive contributors while Alumex posted a strong gain and Sierra Cables declined.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +0.76% to 20,775 and S&P SL20 +0.59% to 5,903, with turnover Rs6.61bn driven by materials (Rs1.12bn) and capital goods (Rs1.68bn). Alumex was heavily traded and ACL Cables, which announced an interim dividend of Rs1.50, also rose.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 264 points (1.3%) and the S&P SL20 gained 1.2% on turnover of Rs.6.2bn. Banks and hotel counters led gains (COMB, SAMP, HNB, SPEN, DFCC), capital goods and utilities drove turnover, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.270.8m.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.30% to 20,619 with turnover of Rs 6.21bn, led by gains in banks and capital goods. Key risers included Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, HNB, Aitken Spence, DFCC and active trading in Sierra Cables.

Colombo market slipped as the ASPI fell 73 points (0.36%) and the S&P SL20 declined 0.78% on Rs. 4.4bn turnover, with foreign investors net sellers of Rs. 801.2m amid profit-taking and political uncertainty following the remand of former President Wickremesinghe.

S&P SL20 crossed 6,000 for the first time, rising 58.46 points (0.97%) to close at 6,055.92; the ASPI also hit a record 20,571.07 (up 100.55 points, 0.49%) with turnover over Rs.10.8 billion.

Colombo stock market closed the week lower: the ASPI fell 0.4% to 19,827 and the S&P SL20 lost 1.2%, with yesterday's turnover at Rs.3.26 billion. Diversified Financials led turnover (23%) driven by Galle Face Capital Partners; John Keells, Hemas, Prime Lands and Lankem were also top contributors.

Hemas Holdings (HHL.N0000) reported volume growth and higher profits in its consumer goods division in the June quarter, with operating profit of Rs 719.1m and sector earnings up 13.6% to Rs 665.6m despite consumer goods revenues falling 2.6% to Rs 8.68bn. Group profit rose to Rs 1,191m and healthcare revenues increased, and the company launched a new Gold Hair Wax product.

Hemas Holdings PLC (HHL.N0000) posted 1Q FY2026 revenue of Rs.28.5 billion, operating profit of Rs.2.1 billion (up 6.9%) and earnings of Rs.1.2 billion (up 26.1%). Management cited stronger topline, margin expansion and lower finance costs, and noted a Gazette introducing medicine price caps that may affect pharma selling prices.

Hemas Holdings' consumer arm launched Diva Power Pods under the Diva Power sub-brand and handed exclusive distribution to Keells Supermarkets; each pod is marketed to clean, soften and add long-lasting fragrance in one wash.

Colombo market opened higher as the ASPI rose 0.26% (50 points) to close at 19,518, with turnover around Rs. 6.16 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers (Rs. 30.2m) and gains were led by Royal Ceramics, Melstacorp, Hemas, L B Finance and C T Holdings, with Capital Goods, Banking and Diversified Financials driving turnover.

First Capital Holdings PLC held its Mid-Year Outlook Investor Forum on 17 July, extending its LKR/USD target to 300–310 to December 2025 and setting an ASPI target of 18,000–19,000 for 2025. The forum also forecast mild rupee depreciation to 305–315 in H1 2026, ASPI 21,000–22,000 in 2026, and AWPR easing to 7.5–8.5% before edging up next year.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.26% (50.15 pts) to 19,517.86, led by gains in capital goods stocks including Royal Ceramics (RCL.N0000), Melstacorp (MELS.N0000), Hemas (HHL.N0000), L B Finance (LFIN.N0000) and C T Holdings (CTHR.N0000). Turnover increased to 6.1 billion rupees.

First Capital Holdings PLC held its Mid‑Year Outlook Investor Forum on 17 July 2025, forecasting an LKR/USD target of 300–310 to Dec 2025, ASPI 18,000–19,000 for 2025 (21,000–22,000 in 2026) and AWPR down to 7.5%–8.5% after a likely 25bp cut. The virtual forum drew 900+ registrations, was run in Sinhala, Tamil and English, and featured panelists from Hemas and Access Engineering.

CSE, SEC, SLID and KPMG hosted a Family Business Forum titled "Building a Lasting Family Legacy," attended by about 150 participants with panelists from Hemas Holdings, Sampath Bank, Janashakthi and NDB. Speakers highlighted succession, governance and promoting listings and capital markets to support SME financing and long-term growth.

Colombo market closed the week with the ASPI up 4.6% (closed 17,873, +132pts) and daily turnover Rs.5.12bn; CTHR, JKH, SAMP, HNB and CDB were among top contributors, capital goods and diversified financials led turnover while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.441.5m.

ASPI rose 1% (205 pts) to a record 17,740 as turnover hit Rs.6.85bn. Diversified Financials led activity (20% of turnover) with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Capital Goods also active; HNB Finance, Sunshine, Hemas and Dipped Products were among the top gainers.

The Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 1.17% (204.84 pts) to 17,740.46 with turnover of 6.8 billion. Top contributors included C T Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Nations Trust Bank, Sunshine Holdings and Central Finance.

CFA Society Sri Lanka held the Capital Market Awards 2025 on 24 June; Sunshine Holdings won Gold for Best Investor Relations (Mid-to-Large), hSenid Business Solutions won Best Investor Relations (Small Cap), Talawakelle Tea Estates won Silver for Best Sustainability Reporting, and Dialog Axiata and Commercial Bank shared Bronze. Capital Alliance was a Gold sponsor and Hatton National Bank served as Banking Partner.

CFA Society Sri Lanka held the 12th Capital Market Awards on 24 June, with Sunshine Holdings winning Gold for Best Investor Relations (Mid-to-Large Cap). hSenid won Gold for Best Investor Relations (Small Cap); Hemas won Silver (Mid-to-Large), Talawakelle Tea Estates won Silver for Best Sustainability Reporting, and Dialog and Commercial Bank shared Bronze for Sustainability.

Asia Frontier Capital has increased its weight on Sri Lanka equities to 14% from about 5% two years ago. The fund cites improving macro fundamentals, political stability and pickup in tourism and corporate earnings, and lists holdings including JKH, Commercial Bank, HNB, Hemas, Sunshine, Dipped Products and Melstacorp.