News & market updates

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.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) opened a 24/7 full-service branch and customer centre at City of Dreams Sri Lanka to serve tourists, residents and businesses. The branch strengthens HNB's relationship with developer John Keells Holdings and supports operations at the US$1.2bn integrated resort.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.64% to 19,786.23 after earlier crossing the 20,000 mark, with turnover sliding to LKR 4.5bn. Banking counters saw buying while large caps including ACL Cables, Melstacorp, Hayleys and Central Finance weighed on the index.

ASPI rose to a record 19,914 (+1.38%, +272 pts) as investor confidence from a favourable US tariff ruling and strong interim results lifted the market. Banking and materials led turnover, with HNB, JKH, COMB, DFCC, NDB, PABC, DIPD, PKME, CBNK and COOP among the top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose after a US tariff reduction, with the ASPI up 1.38% to 19,914.25 and the S&P SL20 up 2.34% to 5,897.09; banks and diversified financials led gains. Top contributors included HNB, John Keells, Commercial Bank, DFCC and NDB, while exporters such as Dipped Products and Hayleys Fabric also advanced.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 271.77 points to a record 19,914.25 (1.38%), while the S&P SL20 gained 132.58 points to 5,894.75 (2.30%). Turnover was Rs. 7.37 billion with blue-chips HNB, JKH, COMB, DFCC and NDB the top contributors to the rally.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams (John Keells Hotels) will host the SCY Awards 2025, India’s first international creator fest, alongside the grand opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka in Colombo. The event, organised by Gold Coast Films, invites global digital creators and includes a 'Life in the Sky' photo award.

Colombo market closed July with ASPI up 9% for the month (ASPI YTD +23%) and S&P SL20 up 7.7% (YTD +18.5%), with average daily turnover in July at Rs.7.16bn. Banking-led activity saw HAYL, DFCC, BIL, NDB and COCR as key contributors while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.134m).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, ASPI up 0.39% (76.33 pts) at 19,642.48 with turnover LKR 5.66bn. John Keells fell 20 cents to LKR 23.90 amid negative publicity, while Hayleys, DFCC, Browns Investments and NDB were among the top contributors.

John Keells CG Auto said the BYD vehicles it imported are 100 kW models verified by BYD and an independent tester, and that all imports comply with local regulations; the company is cooperating with authorities and providing documentation.

Sri Lanka Customs is awaiting delivery of a BYD EV motor for testing after about 1,000 BYD vehicles were detained over disputed motor power; MPs urged use of an internationally accepted lab while authorities consult Moratuwa University.

Colombo bourse closed marginally higher as the ASPI rose 0.17% to 19,566.15, led by capital goods and bank stocks. John Keells reported a Rs.803.7mn loss in the June quarter and Ceylon Cold Stores' June-quarter net fell 7% to Rs.1,092.7mn.

John Keells CG Auto, the authorised BYD distributor, says the imported BYD vehicles are 100 kW models, verified by BYD test reports and an independent tester, and confirms imports comply with local regulations while cooperating with authorities.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts (John Keells Hotels) won the PATA Gold Award 2025 for Best Ecosystem & Wildlife Conservation for its Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project. The 59-acre project has planted 22,797 native trees (85–90% survival), recorded 251 fauna species including 54 endemics, and supports Cinnamon's 2030 sustainability goals.

Colombo Stock Exchange sustained an upward trend as the ASPI rose 0.07% and turnover climbed to Rs. 7.59 billion. The banking sector contributed 38% of turnover, while gains in ACL, Melstacorp, Hayleys and Central Finance and active trading in Sierra Cables and Access Engineering underpinned the session; John Keells weakened.

Chandana Amaradasa was elected President of the Australia-New Zealand Business Council (SLANZBC) and urged Australian and New Zealand investment to expand Sri Lanka's tourism capacity, noting only ~9,500 of ~50,000 rooms are 4- and 5-star. Panelists also flagged raising digital economy contribution to 15% of GDP by 2030 and boosting NZ arrivals from 10,000 to 50,000.

Chandana Amaradasa was elected president of the Australia-New Zealand Business Council and urged ANZ investment to expand Sri Lanka's tourism capacity; New Zealand plans to boost arrivals from 10,000 to 50,000 and the government aims to lift the digital economy to 15% of GDP by 2030.

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.

John Keells Properties handed over 700 apartment units at TRI-ZEN in Colombo 02, the largest single-project residential handover in Sri Lanka. The development is 85% sold and reports rental yields up to 7% on two-bedroom apartments.

John Keells CG Auto opened a BYD 3S Sales‑Service‑Spare parts facility in Kurunegala on 23 July 2025. It is JKCG Auto's second fully‑owned Sri Lanka centre, expanding BYD EV sales, local servicing and support for nationwide charging infrastructure.

John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000) and Melco opened NÜWA at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a 113-room ultra-luxury hotel within a USD 1.3bn integrated resort. The development includes residences, offices, retail and a casino and is expected to create over 20,000 jobs.

The Sri Lanka–Pakistan Business Council held its 33rd AGM and elected Wasantha de Silva as president for 2025/26, with a committee that includes representatives from John Keells Holdings (JKH) and Aitken Spence (SPEN). The council urged boosting tea exports to Pakistan and expanding trade and tourism under the FTA.

ASPI rose 136.16 points (2%) to close at 19,379 on turnover of Rs.6.21bn, with banks dominating activity. CINS, CFIN, NDB, COMB and CTC were top positive contributors; NDB rose, DFCC fell and Ambeon (TAP) gained.

John Keells Holdings' City of Dreams Sri Lanka will officially open on 2 August with Hrithik Roshan attending; the integrated resort represents a private-sector investment exceeding $1.2 billion.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.71% to 19,379.24 on anticipation of strong earnings, with turnover of 6.2 billion rupees. Brokers noted renewed interest in banks and index-heavy John Keells ahead of its Aug. 2 casino opening; selected banks closed mixed.

Wasantha de Silva of DMW Ventures was elected president of the Sri Lanka–Pakistan Business Council. The new committee includes Malithi Rajapaksha from John Keells Holdings and Chandana Jirasinha from Aitken Spence, and Pakistan's High Commissioner urged increased Sri Lankan tea exports and investment/tourism ties.

JAT Holdings' subsidiary VOLT Charge and John Keells Group have opened the first commercial EV fast charging station in Northern Province at the Keells Jaffna store, featuring a 30kW dual-gun DC fast charger. The installation is the 20th in the VOLT–Keells partnership across the country.

John Keells Holdings' City of Dreams Sri Lanka will officially open on August 2, with Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan attending. The USD 1.2bn+ integrated resort includes the Nüwa hotel complex and a major shopping mall, positioned as South Asia’s first fully integrated resort.

Colombo market extended its rally after the Central Bank held policy rates, with the ASPI up 151.15 pts (0.79%) to 19,243. Turnover was Rs.6.23bn (235.33m shares) while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.99.6m); DFCC, Richard Pieris, NDB, Carson, NTB, JKH, Dockyard, Sunshine and RIL were among top contributors/movers.

Union Assurance (UAL.N0000) held its Partnership Distribution Annual Awards 2024, highlighting expansion of its bancassurance and corporate channels and claiming the largest partnership portfolio among private banks. The company said it is broadening strategic partnerships to improve accessibility to life insurance.