News & market updates

Softlogic Stockbrokers says tourist arrivals are recovering but visa processing delays have cut the 2024 target from 2.3m to 2.0m, and Sri Lanka recorded 55,353 tourists between 1–13 Oct. Growth moderated since mid-2024 and upcoming elections could dampen November arrivals.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +0.18% to 12,313 and S&P SL20 +0.26% to 3,622, with turnover Rs1.9bn. Renewed investor interest in leasing/finance on a possible vehicle import ban reversal and positive results/crossings at L B Finance and CDB; net foreign outflow Rs87mn.

Samsung Sri Lanka opened Galaxy S24FE pre-orders Oct 15–31 with a pre-order price of LKR 253,838 (saving LKR 24,491) and offers including two screen replacements, 24-month instalments, 600GB data from Dialog and Mobitel and 2 months OneDrive; pre-orders via partners including JKOA and Softlogic.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.27% to 12,290 on turnover of about Rs.1.75 billion, driven by gains in hotel counters and select plantation and telecom stocks.

Colombo market was mixed as the ASPI rose 0.09% to 12,258 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.20%; turnover was about Rs.1.85–1.9 billion and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.139.7 million, led by net foreign buying in John Keells (Rs.240.9m) and net selling in Dialog.

John Keells opened Cinnamon Life, a $1.2 billion, five-million-sq-ft integrated resort in Colombo featuring a five-star hotel, 10,000 sqm casino, apartments, offices and retail. The project, designed by Cecil Balmond, aims to boost Colombo's business and leisure profile.

John Keells Group launched Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a $1.2bn development opening today with 687 rooms and event venues, and a 113-key Nuwa hotel due mid-2025. The Group expects the full project to generate over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Colombo market closed lower with the S&P SL20 down 0.7% and ASPI down 0.4%, while foreigners were net buyers of Rs.153.6m. Banks (e.g. Commercial Bank, Sampath) dragged indices, while Balangoda Plantations, John Keells and Hayleys Fabric led turnover with mixed price moves.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed mixed: ASPI rose 0.09% to 12,257 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.20% to 3,607, with turnover of 1.8 billion and a net foreign inflow of 139 million rupees. Top turnover stocks included John Keells, Citrus Leisure, Dialog and Commercial Bank, with foreign buying noted in JKH, Commercial Bank, Sampath, Citrus Leisure and Windforce.

John Keells Holdings (JKH) will open Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a 687-room luxury hotel developed at over USD 1.2bn, on 15 October 2024. The wider City of Dreams complex (including a mall, gaming areas and a 113-room Nuwa opening mid-2025) is expected to create significant tourism activity and jobs.

Hayleys PLC and John Keells Holdings are platinum sponsors of CA Sri Lanka's 45th National Conference, held 14–16 October. Other shortlist companies sponsoring the event include Nations Trust Bank (exclusive banking partner), Nawaloka Hospitals PLC (exclusive healthcare partner), LB Finance, Capital Alliance, DIMO, Sunshine, C. W. Mackie and Lanka IOC.

Colombo market closed the week higher with the ASPI up 1.07% on Friday (ASPI +2% for the week) and S&P SL20 +1.10%, with turnover at Rs.2.3bn. Banking stocks (Commercial Bank, HNB), renewed interest in plantation names (KAHA, HAPU, UDPL, MASK) and strong foreign buying in JKH drove activity.

Rights issue · 1:10 at Rs 160.00 · XD Sep 10, 2024

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as the All Share Index rose 1.07% to 12,294, led by banks with total turnover of Rs2.3bn and Rs563mn in bank trades. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, Lanka IOC and Browns Investments, and net foreign inflow was Rs107mn.

Ceylon Cold Stores' Elephant House (CSR) and Cleantech opened the Tissamaharama Material Recovery Facility to boost PET/plastic recycling; Sri Lanka generates >968 metric tons of plastic daily while current recycling is ~38 mt/day.

John Keells Stock Brokers (a John Keells Group company) unveiled a new logo as part of a broader rebranding to reflect its values of trust, integrity and commitment to client growth.

Colombo Bourse closed marginally higher (ASPI +12) with net foreign inflows of Rs.267m, led by strong foreign buying in John Keells (JKH: net +Rs.132.7m; JKH up Rs.4.50 to Rs.198.25). Turnover was Rs.1.6bn; capital goods (via JKH), banking and F&B were top turnover contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +0.10% to 12,164 and S&P SL20 +0.20% to 3,600, turnover Rs1.5bn and net foreign inflow Rs267m. Top turnover included John Keells, Hayleys, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and Nations Trust; top foreign flows varied across names.

Colombo bourse saw net foreign inflows of Rs. 339.1 mn while the ASPI fell 19 points on turnover of Rs. 2.1 bn. John Keells drew the most foreign buying and led turnover, banks (Sampath, DFCC) weighed on the index and AGPL rose 9.8% after a dividend.

John Keells Properties booked over LKR 4.2 billion in sales for the VIMAN Ja-Ela residential project before construction began on 26 Aug 2024. Over 75% of units in Phases 1 and 2 are sold; the 6-acre development emphasizes sustainability and extensive open amenities.

Colombo's ASPI rose about 6 points to 12,171 as turnover was Rs.1.4bn, led by Commercial Bank, Hayleys and John Keells. Hayleys (+4.5%) and John Keells (+2.5%) were major index movers while banking counters saw profit-taking (Sampath down) and foreigners net sold Rs.21.4m.

Colombo market rose as ASPI gained 0.9% (111 points) to 12,165, a three-month high, with turnover of Rs.2.77 bn led by banking stocks; S&P SL20 rose 1.3% and top contributors included CTHR, SAMP, HNB, JKH and COMB.

John Keells Holdings PLC CFO Sherin Carder spoke at AAT Sri Lanka’s 2024 conference, themed 'Rise to Conquer', on bridging education and professional skills. Speakers highlighted AAT’s role in providing job-oriented qualifications and the need for professionals to adapt to technological and market changes.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 0.92% to 12,164 and S&P SL20 gained 1.34% to 3,590, led by banking stocks which accounted for Rs 1.4bn of turnover; top contributors included C T Holdings, Sampath Bank, John Keells and Commercial Bank.

ASPI gained 1% to close at 12,053 as investors returned to buying, led by banking and blue-chip stocks; turnover was Rs. 2.8bn. Sampath Bank, John Keells and Commercial Bank were among top contributors to the session's gains.

Sri Lanka stocks closed up 1% with the Colombo All Share Index rising 123.5 points to 12,053, led by gains in John Keells, Sampath, Hatton National Bank and NDB. Turnover was 2.83 billion rupees; Melstacorp rose while Lion Brewery fell.

Colombo's ASPI fell 4 points to 11,930 as the market stayed bearish, with S&P SL20 down 26 points (0.7%), turnover Rs.1.3bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.18m. Major negatives were HNB, SAMP, COMB, HAYL and JKH while CINS and PKME (PickMe) were among gainers; Commercial Credit and Lankem also rose.

Colombo market cooled after 11 straight gains as the ASPI fell about 59 points (0.5%) on turnover of Rs.2.3bn, with banks contributing 59% of turnover. Sampath, Commercial and Hatton National rose, while Vallibel One and Nations Trust fell; JKH, LOLC, NDB, Hayleys and DFCC weighed on the index.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI closed at 11,992.91 (+1.16%), led by banking and consumer durables; HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC and John Keells were top positive contributors amid higher turnover and renewed apparel export demand.