News & market updates

Colombo market opened lower as the ASPI fell 0.10% to 22,788.79; major movers included Colombo Dockyard (DOCK +24.20%) and Ceylon Hospitals (CHL +25.64%), while C T Holdings, Central Finance and Richard Pieris were among the session's laggards.

Standard Chartered Sri Lanka appointed Kumudu Munasinghe as Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing effective 15 October 2025. She will join the Country Management Team and was previously Senior Assistant Vice President at the John Keells Group.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection has launched Kurundu Wellness, introducing two signature wellness suites, a Thai massage room, manicure/pedicure facilities and expanded sauna/steam/jacuzzi/cold plunge amenities. The programme blends Ayurvedic and TCM therapies and will add specialised packages and extended-stay wellness programmes.

John Keells' authorized distributor John Keells CG Auto said BYD's global recall of about 115,000 Tang and Yuan Pro vehicles does not affect any models sold or operating in Sri Lanka. All BYD vehicles in Sri Lanka are imported, distributed and serviced exclusively through John Keells CG Auto and covered by manufacturer warranties.

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.

The Colombo Stock Exchange held the 7th CSE Masterminds Quiz, with Acuity Knowledge Partners (Team 2) winning the grand cash prize of Rs. 1,000,000. Sector winners included Dialog Finance (Leasing & Finance), John Keells Stock Brokers (Stock Brokering) and NDB Wealth Management, and many listed firms participated as sponsors.

Colombo market closed marginally up as the ASPI rose 0.26% to 22,850.95 on Rs. 9.2bn turnover, led by gains in Hayleys, Bairaha, Colombo Dockyard, Royal Ceramics, LAUGFS Gas and Dipped Products while DFCC, HNB, Commercial Bank and JKH declined; foreigners were net buyers (Rs. 13.8m).

John Keells Group has partnered with Uber Eats to launch on-demand grocery delivery from Keells stores, starting with 30 stores across Colombo, Gampaha and Kandy and expanding to 80+ stores islandwide in the coming weeks.

BOI reports FDI inflows of $827m Jan–Sep 2025, up 138% YoY, led by a $229m investment in the Colombo West International Terminal; BOI expects total FDI for 2025 (including foreign commercial loans) to exceed $1bn.

Colombo West International Terminal, a venture including John Keells Holdings PLC, contributed USD 229m to BOI-reported foreign capital inflows of USD 827m in Jan–Sep 2025. BOI said total inflows rose 13.8% y/y and the project pipeline could lift 2025 FDI above USD 1bn.

Colombo market closed higher as ASPI rose 0.97% (217.65 pts) to 22,633.80 with turnover above Rs.11.2 billion and foreigners net sold Rs.1.4 billion. Banking led activity (29% of turnover); CTHR, HARI, CARG, JKH and DFCC were key positive contributors and HAYL bought 779,123 HARI shares.

John Keells CG Auto says it has established 20 EV charging stations and is investing to expand charging infrastructure, showrooms and after-sales capacity; it opened a Moratuwa showroom and a Wattala service centre and says BYD PHEV deliveries, warranties and parts remain unaffected.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.36% to 22,292.28 while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.43% to 6,198.82; top decliners included Sampath Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, John Keells and C T Holdings, and Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance was the biggest gainer. Market turnover was 5.6 billion rupees.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams marks its first anniversary, operating 687 rooms, 11 dining venues and extensive MICE facilities, and has joined Melco’s City of Dreams portfolio as South Asia’s first fully integrated resort city.

Salesforce kicked off Dreamforce 2025 and said it is supporting Sri Lanka’s digital economy, partnering locally with firms including Cinnamon Hotels and Keells Super to deploy AI CRM and Agentforce for improved customer experience and efficiency.

The Colombo bourse closed the four-day week higher as the ASPI rose 1.01% (223.83 pts) to 22,318.72 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.62% to 6,226.03, with weekly turnover of Rs.8.45bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.265.1m. JKH, HNB, LFIN, COMB and PKME were top positive contributors, while CFVF rose on a cash dividend announcement and ACL saw higher participation after a share subdivision.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, with the All Share Price Index up 0.65% at 22,318.72 and the S&P SL20 up 1.17% at 6,234.33, turnover 8.45 billion rupees. Brokers said low interest rates and an IMF announcement drew inflows; John Keells Holdings rose 0.90 rupees to 21.80.

The Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2025 ('Retail Reimagined — Where AI Meets the Human Edge') will be held on 23 Oct 2025 in Colombo, bringing 450+ retail and tech leaders; sponsors include John Keells CG Auto and Singer, DIMO is logistics sponsor, and Dialog Axiata is represented among speakers.

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.

Cinnamon Life will host Colombo’s first Rooftop Oktoberfest at The Podium from Oct 16–19, with tickets priced at LKR 8,900 nett per person. The four-day event features Colombo’s largest Oktoberfest buffet and live music lineups against city views.

Yoroko at Cinnamon Life (John Keells Hotels) will hold Yakitori Week from 15–21 October, offering a six-cut yakitori platter priced at 6,000 LKR++ at its Level 23 restaurant.

John Keells CG Auto (part of John Keells Holdings, JKH.N0000) will introduce DENZA luxury new-energy vehicles in Sri Lanka and has opened pre-bookings from October 1. The DENZA lineup includes the D9 MPV and B8/B5 plug-in hybrid models after an MoU signed in June.

John Keells Group's Cinnamon Air began Colombo–Katunayake services with the opening of a Beira Lake water aerodrome, landing at the Cinnamon Lakeside Pier. The launch aims to expand domestic aviation and support tourism, with studies for more landing sites and future heliports under way.

Colombo market rally extended to a 14th session as the ASPI closed at 22,094.89, topping 22,000 for the first time with turnover around Rs.9.7–9.8 billion. Banking and diversified financials led turnover (Commercial Bank, Pan Asia, Lanka Credit & Business Finance among top contributors) while foreigners were net sellers.

Cinnamon Life (John Keells Hotels) ran a Beach Care cleanup at Uswetakeiyawa Beach, removing over 400 kg of plastic and installing a permanent garbage bin to support coastal conservation.

John Keells CG Auto (JKCG) said BYD electric vehicle consignments remain detained by Sri Lanka Customs, delaying EV deliveries and offering customers booked before 11 September 2025 the options to switch to a BYD SEALION 5 with a discount, receive a refund with interest (if by 10 October 2025), or retain their booking. JKCG said BYD PHEV imports, warranties and after-sales support remain unaffected and it will not require payment advances for EV bookings.