News & market updates

Several listed firms, including Hayleys (HAYL.N0000), Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000), Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS.N0000), Alumex (ALUM.N0000), Dipped Products (DIPD.N0000) and Lion Brewery (LION.N0000), received awards or commendations at the ISMM National Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2025.

Lion Brewery (LION.N0000) took delivery of 44 new Suzuki FRONX SUVs from Associated Motorways, with financing facilitated by Central Finance (CFIN.N0000).

Dividend · Rs 17.00 · XD Nov 19, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 17/share; XD 2025-11-19; record 2025-11-19; payable 2025-12-09; FY 2025/26

Sri Lanka's All Share Price Index rose 0.31% to 22,163.23 while the S&P SL20 gained 0.07% to 6,191.54. Top contributors were Lion Brewery, Aitken Spence, Melstacorp, Ceylon Beverage and Sampath Bank; L B Finance filed to raise up to Rs20bn via senior and subordinated debentures.

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC appointed Anthony Yong, Chief Financial Officer of Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad, as a Non-Executive Director. Yong has held senior finance roles at XCL Education Group, British American Tobacco and began his career at KPMG.

The Exporters' Association of Sri Lanka held its 28th AGM with EU Ambassador Carmen Moreno stressing compliance, sustainability and the CBAM framework for exporters. Yohan Lawrence was re-elected chairman and the executive committee includes representatives from listed firms such as HNB, Hayleys, Sampath, Lion Brewery, CIC, Dipped Products and Dankotuwa Porcelain.

EU Ambassador Carmen Moreno told the Exporters’ Association AGM that compliance, sustainability and CBAM readiness are vital for Sri Lankan exporters. The event re-elected Yohan Lawrence as chairman and featured an executive committee including major exporters and industry representatives.

Fonterra Brands Lanka and eight dairy industry peers, including Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS.N0000) and Lion Brewery (LION.N0000), handed over Sri Lanka’s first National Competency Standard for dairy machine operators, which will be implemented through NAITA’s training network.

Fonterra Brands Lanka, with dairy peers including Lion Brewery (LION.N0000) and Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS.N0000), handed over Sri Lanka’s first National Competency Standard for dairy machine operators to TVEC/NAITA, enabling nationwide vocational training and formal recognition for operators.

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.

ASPI rose 81.89 points to a record 17,434.94, extending its rally to a 12th straight session led by John Keells, Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, Lion Brewery and Dipped Products. Market turnover was Rs.5.59bn and the S&P SL20 gained 34.13 pts to 5,193.79.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index rose 0.47% to 17,434.94 for a third straight session, led by John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, Lion Brewery and Dipped Products. Market breadth was broadly positive with low interest rates, strong corporate earnings and PMI support; turnover was Rs 5.59bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.81% to 17,353.05 on Wednesday. Top contributors included Ceylon Tobacco (+108.50 to 1,488.75), Lion Brewery (+120.25 to 1,420.50), Central Finance (+12.25 to 234.50), Hemas (+1.20 to 29.70) and Cargills (+22.25 to 569.75).

Colombo Stock Exchange hit a record as the ASPI closed at 17,353.05 (+138.66 pts, 0.81%) on June 4, 2025. The S&P SL20 rose to 5,159.66 (+0.55%) with turnover Rs.7.37bn, led by gains in CTC, CFIN, HHL, LION and CARG.

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka reported March-quarter earnings of Rs4.49bn, up 19% y/y, with revenues rising 31% to Rs36.7bn. Group net profit was Rs4.08bn, reflecting a continued demand recovery amid stable prices as the central bank missed its 5% inflation target.

Colombo market opened subdued with the ASPI up 1.78 points and turnover rising to Rs. 3.7bn; foreigners were net buyers of Rs. 70.1m. Key contributors included CCS, HHL, HAYL, DIAL and BIL, with strong activity in Food, Beverage & Tobacco.

Dividend · Rs 28.70 · XD May 22, 2025

Second Interim dividend of LKR 28.7/share; XD 2025-05-22; record 2025-05-22; payable 2025-06-11; FY 2024/25

The CSE opened May on a mixed note as turnover hit a new high of Rs. 6 billion while the ASPI rose 52 points to 15,852; crossings in CT Holdings and Cargills dominated activity, together accounting for the bulk of turnover. Banking and food retail stocks, including Pan Asia Banking and Lankem, were also among top contributors.

Shangri-La Colombo and Shangri-La Hambantota will host 'Weddings by Shangri-La – The Luxe Edit' on 3 May 2025 at The Ballroom, Shangri-La Colombo, showcasing luxury wedding services and vendors. Lion Brewery is listed among participating vendors offering event services/discounts.

Sri Lanka stocks closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 15,543.99 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 4,608.41. Trading was volatile with Lion Brewery, Melstacorp, Central Finance, NTB and DFCC among top decliners, Haycarb and Hayleys Fiber gained and turnover was LKR 1.1bn.

Lion Brewery (LION.N0000) and Ceyline Group completed a sustainability-focused warehousing and distribution centre in Tangalle in 100 days. The facility uses repurposed shipping containers and recycled brewery materials, has applied for solar power approval, and will use electric forklifts, rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient lighting.

Sri Lanka export stocks fell after China warned it would take countermeasures, with the ASPI down 0.11% to 15,599.61. Export-linked names including Teejay Lanka, Dipped Products, Hayleys Fabric, John Keells and Lion Brewery led declines amid weak market sentiment.

Lion Brewery had Ceyline Total Solutions build its first sustainability-focused warehousing and distribution centre in Tangalle in 100 days, using repurposed shipping containers and recycled fittings and applying for solar power. The facility will use electric forklifts, rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient lighting.

Sri Lanka stocks rose as the ASPI closed up 0.46% (73.06 pts) at 16,007.44 with turnover Rs 2.29bn; top contributors were Hayleys (+3.0%), Ceylon Tobacco (+1.7%), Royal Ceramics (+2.6%), Chevron Lubricants (+2.9%) and Dialog Axiata (+2.1%). Most active by volume were John Keells, Browns Investments and Access Engineering.

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.

CSSL held the National CIO Forum 2025 and unveiled the CSSL National CIO List 2024, inducting six CIOs including representatives from L B Finance (LFIN.N0000), Lion Brewery (LION.N0000) and Capital Alliance (CALT.N0000). Panels covered CIO leadership, cyber security, AI, ERP modernisation and workforce transformation.

Lion Brewery said sales volumes softened after a 6% excise duty hike in January 2025, leaving the Q4 outlook uncertain. It reported December-quarter revenue up 16% to LKR 31.13bn, EPS of LKR 36, and said it paid LKR 74bn in taxes in the nine months to December.

Vallibel One appointed Jonathan Alles as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Alles is the former MD/CEO of Hatton National Bank with over 37 years' banking experience and was recently also appointed to the boards of United Motors, Ceylon Beverage, Lion Brewery and Hayleys.

Colombo market closed the week higher as ASPI and S&P SL20 rose about 2% (ASPI 16,937, +358 pts) with turnover Rs.5 billion, led by banks, capital goods and food & beverage stocks ahead of the 2025 Budget.

Sri Lanka stocks fell, with the ASPI down 1.01% to 16,566.27 as investors awaited next week's government budget; turnover was low at Rs 2.07 billion and net foreign outflows totalled Rs 35.5 million, with financials and capital goods weighing on the market.