News & market updates

Colombo bourse closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.15% to 22,804.84 amid foreign net selling of Rs.893 million and turnover of about Rs.5.6bn; the S&P SL20 rose 0.18%. Capital goods and materials led activity with notable stock moves including Aitken Spence (-Rs.1), Hayleys (-Rs.0.75) and John Keells (+Rs.0.40).

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.39% (88 pts) to 22,777.12 with turnover around Rs 5.38bn and foreign investors net sellers of Rs 372.5m. Key movers included Windforce (+17.6%), Colombo Dockyard (-9.9%) and gains in LAUGFS Gas and Lanka Realty Investments.

Colombo market fell for a third straight session, with the ASPI down 0.44% to 22,689.22 and the S&P SL20 down 0.84%; turnover was Rs. 6.19bn and foreigners were net sellers of Rs. 42.48m. Major movers included declines in JKH, SFCL and SAMP, while DOCK, COLO, ASCO and LGL posted notable gains.

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.

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).

LAUGFS Gas PLC won the World Liquid Gas Association's Marketing Excellence Award 2025 for its 'Triangle of Change' campaign, which included a Cylinder Donation Program distributing over 100 portable 5kg LPG kits. The campaign also featured the short film 'Dara Kadulu' and the 'Little Gas Stars' education programme reaching hundreds of children.

LAUGFS Gas PLC suspended operations of its Dubai subsidiary Slogal Energy DMCC after the US Treasury/OFAC designated the subsidiary for allegedly trading Iranian-origin LPG; LAUGFS says domestic LPG distribution is unaffected and will seek delisting while conducting a legal and compliance review.

Laugfs Gas (LGL.N0000) halted operations of its Dubai unit SLOGAL Energy DMCC and launched a legal and compliance review to seek delisting after the US Treasury designated the unit for alleged trading in Iranian petrochemicals. The company said its Sri Lanka LP gas distribution is not affected.

LOLC sold part of its stake in Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (PickMe) while foreign fund Tundra increased buying; PickMe dominated turnover with Rs.1 billion on 23.4 million shares and closed at Rs.132.75 (up Rs.0.50). Several other listed names saw notable turnover and mixed price moves.

Matheendra De Zoysa has been appointed to lead Omera Petroleum's two companies, Omera LPG and Omera Cylinders Ltd. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for LAUGFS Gas PLC and has over 25 years of industry experience.

Brand Finance published Sri Lanka's 100 Most Valuable Brands for 2025, ranking Bank of Ceylon top with a brand value of Rs.57,411m; Commercial Bank, Dialog and People’s Bank follow the top positions. The list covers firms across banking, telecoms, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality and other sectors.

LAUGFS Gas PLC launched the 'Dara Kadulu' public awareness campaign on World LPG Day 2025 to highlight health risks of indoor air pollution from firewood and promote LPG as a cleaner alternative. The company offered a 25% discount on new LAUGFS Gas cylinders and a loyalty-point donation option to its Project Life CSR program.

CEYPETCO cut fuel prices across categories — Petrol 92 down Rs.6 to Rs.293, Petrol 95 down Rs.20 to Rs.341, Auto Diesel down Rs.12 to Rs.274, Super Diesel down Rs.6 to Rs.325, Kerosene down Rs.5 to Rs.178 — and LIOC aligned its prices. LAUGFS Gas said it will not revise LP gas prices for May 2025.

LAUGFS Gas (LGL) raised domestic LP gas prices — 12.5 kg up Rs.420 to Rs.4,100 and 5 kg up Rs.168 to Rs.1,645; separately CEYPETCO cut petrol by Rs.10 (Octane 92 to Rs.299/l, Octane 95 to Rs.361/l) with diesel and kerosene unchanged.

LAUGFS Gas hosted World LPG Association director David Tyler, who urged a unified Sri Lankan LPG industry and LAUGFS highlighted its 30,000‑ton Hambantota LPG terminal as a strategic asset. Tyler cited ~360m t global LPG output, Asia‑Pacific demand growth of ~3–4% and Saudi Aramco‑indexed prices of $650–$700/ton.

LAUGFS Gas hosted World LPG Association Director David Tyler to discuss global LPG trends and local industry growth, highlighting its Hambantota terminal capacity of 30,000 metric tons. Tyler noted stable global LPG prices (~$650–$700/mt) and 3–4% annual market growth in Asia-Pacific.

Sri Lanka restructured its defaulted debt in 2024 and entered a stabilisation phase with falling inflation and episodes of deflation. Ratings upgrades and IMF agreements followed, but central bank moves to add liquidity risk renewed external pressure if private credit recovers.

LAUGFS Gas PLC won the Gold Award in the Power & Energy category at the TAGS Awards 2024. The award recognises the company's corporate reporting and adherence to GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, highlighting its commitment to transparency and sustainability.

LAUGFS Gas PLC won the Gold Award in the Power and Energy category at the TAGS Awards 2024. The recognition highlights the company's corporate reporting and adherence to GRI sustainability reporting standards, underscoring its focus on transparency and sustainability.

Hayleys PLC won the Gold for Overall Excellence in Corporate Reporting at CA Sri Lanka’s TAGS Awards 2024; Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC took Silver and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC featured among top winners. Multiple shortlisted firms (e.g., DIMO, COMB, LFIN, SFIN, CCS, HAYC, SLTL, LGL, FCT) received sector awards.

LAUGFS Gas (LGL.N0000) was the main energy sponsor of Sri Lanka's first Junior Chef’s Culinary Competition in Kandy, supporting young culinary talent under its 'LAUGFS Gas SPECIALIST' brand.