Hemas Holdings appointed Dr. Mahesha Ranasoma as Managing Director of Hemas Pharmaceuticals and Hemas Surgicals & Diagnostics, effective April 2, 2025. He joins with over 25 years of cross-sector leadership experience to lead the businesses and strengthen healthcare partnerships.
Colombo market fell after announcement of a 44% US reciprocal tariff, with ASPI down 1.8% to 15,373 and S&P SL20 down over 2%; banking sector led losses and SAMP, COMB and HNB were among top decliners. Turnover was Rs. 3.1bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 169.7m.
ASPI fell 67 points (0.4%) on low turnover of Rs.1.65bn; HNB was the largest negative contributor after its ex-dividend date, while SAMP, RICH, HAYL, HHL and SUN were top positive contributors and banks led turnover.
ASPI rose 33 points (0.2%) as turnover hit Rs.1.9 billion, led by crossings in Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank and CIC Holdings; banking stocks were the main drivers while materials also saw heavy trading.
ASPI rose 0.1% for the week and jumped 1.4% (216 points) on Friday as banking and capital goods stocks led gains. Turnover averaged Rs.1.9 billion for the week and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.140.2 million.
Colombo market closed higher — ASPI +12 points, S&P SL20 +19 with turnover of Rs.1.25bn. Major contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath while John Keells, Hemas, Browns, LOLC and Ceylon Cold Stores were among laggards; foreigners were net buyers of Rs.14.2m.
The ASPI fell 1.6% (255 points) as selling continued with banking and blue-chip stocks leading declines; turnover was Rs. 1.7bn (below the monthly average) and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 50.5m.
ASPI rose 0.1% yesterday but is down 3.8% so far in March; turnover fell to Rs. 792.5m, led by Food, Beverage & Tobacco (28%), Banking (20%) and Capital Goods (18%). Agarapatana, Hayleys, Hemas and Sampath were among gainers while Bukit Darah, C T Holdings, Access Engineering and NDB were notable laggards.
Sri Lanka stocks closed flat with the ASPI at 15,860.44 (-0.70 pts) and the S&P SL20 at 4,737.61 (+0.14%); turnover fell to 1 billion rupees and there was a net foreign inflow of 90 million rupees. Top contributors to the ASPI included Aitken Spence, Sampath Bank, Hemas Holdings and Melstacorp.
Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana said Sri Lanka's GDP grew 5% in 2024 and that fiscal discipline, debt restructuring and IMF-backed reforms have stabilised inflation and brought interest rates down since 2022, remarks made at the Softlogic Stockbrokers Investor Forum 2025.
Hemas Holdings launched a Leadership Academy with RBL USA and consultant Deepal Sooriyaarachchi to train senior managers using the RBL Leadership Code in a 3–4 month program with 360° assessments and compulsory business projects.
Daily FT·Mar 11, 2025·Award or certificationPositive
Hemas Holdings CPO Ravi Jayasekera urged banks to shift from managing human capital to unlocking human potential, outlining five pillars including skills-based hiring and AI augmentation. Panelists also warned of AI-driven job displacement and called for upskilling, better rewards and inclusive leadership.
Colombo bourse ended the first week of March lower, with the ASPI down 2.2% and the S&P SL20 down 2.5%; average daily turnover was Rs. 2.73bn and yesterday's turnover Rs. 2.18bn. Primary negatives included LLUB, SAMP, DFCC and COMB, while MELS, HHL and HNB were the top gainers.
ASPI fell 43 pts (0.27%) to 16,123 as turnover dropped to Rs.2.36bn. CTC, MELS, CCS and BIL were notable negatives while HAYL, SEYB, HHL and CARS led gains; John Keells dominated turnover and its share rose 10c.
Sri Lanka's ASPI closed down 0.05% at 16,115.47 on mixed sentiment with thin turnover of 2.1 billion rupees. There was a net foreign outflow of 409 million rupees; top negatives included Sampath, DFCC and Commercial Bank while John Keells, Hemas and Melstacorp saw high volumes.
The ASPI rose 1.87% (about 296 pts) to 16,167 as the Colombo market staged a strong rebound and turnover doubled to Rs.5.18bn. The Banking sector led gains (Hatton, Nations Trust, National Development Bank, Sampath among top contributors) while capital goods and select stocks also saw heavy activity.
Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 1.94% (308.22 pts) at 16,178.47 with turnover of Rs 5.17 billion despite volatility. Banks regained investor interest and top contributors included Sampath, HNB, Hayleys and Bukit Darah, while John Keells, Hemas, Nations Trust and Browns saw high volumes.
Colombo market opened March down with ASPI -1.9% and S&P SL20 -2.1%, turnover Rs.1.5bn; profit-taking in banks (led by HNB, COMB, NDB) drove the fall while CTC, SPEN and AHUN were among top positive contributors; foreigners net sold Rs.127.4m.
TourismConsumer Staples (FMCG)
Daily FT·Mar 4, 2025·Award or certificationPositive
CFA Society Sri Lanka honoured the top 25 employers supporting CFA charterholders and candidates. Recognised local listed firms include John Keells, Hayleys, DFCC Bank, Hatton National Bank, Hemas, Commercial Bank and Capital Alliance.
Daily FT·Mar 3, 2025·Award or certificationPositive
Hemas Holdings PLC (HHL.N0000) and Hatch concluded the Slingshot 2.0 accelerator, with Wheelchair House named winner and Exam Hub runner-up from an eight-startup cohort across EdTech, HealthTech and FMCG.
IT & DigitalConsumer Staples (FMCG)Healthcare & Pharma
ASPI rose 48 points (0.3%) to 16,479 on low turnover of Rs. 1.7 billion, led by gains in the banking sector. HNB, Commercial Bank and Sampath were top positive contributors (with CTC and LLUB also supportive) while CFIN, JKH and DFCC exerted downward pressure; banks accounted for 45% of turnover.
Ada Derana·Feb 27, 2025·Promotional / marketingPositive
Morison, backed by Hemas Holdings PLC, launched three cardiovascular drugs — CilniMor (cilnidipine), RivoMor (rivaroxaban) and BisoMor (bisoprolol) — to be manufactured at its Homagama facility and priced below current market rates (e.g. CilniMor LKR30/45; RivoMor LKR60/90).
Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.7% to 17,074 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.8% on low turnover of Rs.3.7 billion (35.8% below the monthly average). Banks dominated turnover (30%); BUKI and SEMB were top positive contributors while COMB, HNB, HHL, JKH, CTC, SAMP and NDB were among the top decliners.
Hemas Holdings PLC proposed a 5-for-1 share split, increasing issued shares from 597,230,274 to 2,986,151,370; the move is subject to shareholder approval.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed down 0.70% to ASPI 17,074.02 on turnover Rs3.6bn, with a net foreign inflow of Rs307mn. Top turnover and movers included Dialog, Commercial Bank, Hemas, HNB and John Keells; LB Finance announced a Rs2.25 interim dividend.
Colombo market closed marginally higher with ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.6% on turnover of Rs.5.5bn. Banking led turnover (30%) and gained 1.25%; notable moves included Sampath +Rs1, Commercial Bank +Rs2, Sierra Cables +Rs0.40, Lanka IOC +Rs0.50 and LOLC -Rs4, with net foreign outflow of Rs.93m.
Construction ActivityTourismTea & Plantation Crops
Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, with the ASPI up 0.22% at 17,193.79 and the S&P SL20 up 0.63% at 5,139.63. Investor interest centred on banks and capital goods (notably Sampath, Commercial Bank and Hemas); Melstacorp, Distilleries, Sampath and Teejay Lanka declared cash dividends and Hemas plans a share sub-division.