News & market updates

ASPI fell 0.15% (24 pts) to 15,855 as profit-taking continued, with turnover Rs.4.56bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.48.3m. Banks and diversified financials led turnover (22% and 38% combined), with HNB, CFIN, HHL, Browns Investments and John Keells among notable movers.

Colombo bourse fell with the ASPI down 1.06% and S&P SL20 down 1.14%, while net foreign inflow was Rs. 188.1 million. Banking led turnover (25%) and several stocks (SAMP, COMB, CINS, RICH, NDB) were top negative contributors; JKH, HHL and BIL recorded small gains.

LOLC Holdings PLC held its second Global IT Conference themed 'AI and Digital for Business' with 100+ technology leaders from over 20 countries, highlighting AI adoption and showcasing the group's FusionX next‑generation core banking solution.

Colombo Stock Market opened 2025 strongly as the ASPI rose 2.5% (404 pts) to top 16,000 on Rs.12.8bn turnover and net foreign inflow of Rs.88.6m, led by blue-chips and banking names such as JKH, Browns Investments, Aitken Spence, Sampath Bank and Hemas.

The ASPI crossed the 15,000 mark, closing at 15,021 after a 210-point (1.4%) gain on Rs.8.5bn turnover, led by heavy activity in banking and contributions from Browns Investments, HNB, Sampath, LOLC and JKH.

LOLC Finance PLC opened two new branches in Dankotuwa (commenced 9 Dec 2024) and Wattegama (16 Dec 2024). The additions expand its nationwide branch network and support its digital platforms (LOLC Real Time, iPay) to enhance financial inclusion and customer access.

LOLC Finance's alternate-finance unit LOLC Al-Falaah was voted "Best Islamic Leasing Provider (Global)" in the IFN Non-Banking Financial Institutions Poll 2024. Al-Falaah, part of LOLC Finance PLC, manages over Rs. 35 billion in assets and its Wadi'ah gold storage portfolio has surpassed Rs. 2 billion.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher — ASPI +0.11% at 14,516.46 and S&P SL20 +0.80% at 4,384.75, with turnover of 6.35 billion. Top contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, NDB, Cargills and Lanka IOC; net foreign inflow was Rs 336 million and there was notable activity in banking, consumer and hotel stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.41% to 13,774, led by gains in diversified financials and capital goods with top contributors including Browns Investments, John Keells, LOLC Finance and Ceylon Tobacco. Turnover was Rs4.3bn and Abans's Rs300mn debenture issue was oversubscribed.

LOLC Finance PLC relocated its Jaffna metro branch to new premises at No. 584, Hospital Road, Jaffna, with a grand opening on 4 December 2024. The modern facility — the company's second Jaffna branch — will offer savings, gold loans, leasing and micro-finance as part of its 203-branch network.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.30% to 13,228 on turnover of Rs2.3bn, led by retail buying in food, beverage & tobacco and renewed interest in construction. Notable movers included gains in Lion Brewery, Ceylon Cold Stores, Distilleries, Access Engineering and Central Finance, while Sierra Cables fell; net foreign outflow was Rs379mn.

Colombo bourse rebounded as the S&P SL20 rose 1.3% and the ASPI gained 0.7% on Rs.1.1bn turnover. Banking led turnover (34%) with Sampath and Commercial Bank among top contributors, capital goods and retail sectors were active, and net foreign outflow was Rs.134m.

Colombo bourse opened lower as the ASPI fell 1.4% to 12,867 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.9%; turnover was Rs.2.1 billion and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.143 million.

The Colombo stock market edged up as the ASPI rose 8 points (0.06%) and the S&P SL20 gained 5 points (0.13%) on turnover of Rs.2.7 billion. John Keells, Commercial Bank, Lion Brewery, R.I.L. Property and food & beverage counters were among top contributors while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.366 million.

Colombo stock market ended the shortened General Election week higher, with ASPI up 3.1% and the S&P SL20 up 3.8% and average weekly turnover of Rs.4.37 billion. Banking counters (Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, Pan Asia) led gains and turnover, while Browns Investments and several hotels and finance stocks saw notable investor interest.

Daraz launched its 11.11 sale running until Nov 17 with up to 90% discounts, vouchers worth over LKR 150 million, free delivery and partner bank discounts (including Commercial Bank, DFCC, HNB, Pan Asia, LOLC Finance, NDB) and featured brands such as DIMO.

ASPI rose 0.6% to 12,875 (a multi-week high) as banking and blue-chip stocks led gains; turnover was Rs.2.4bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.23.3m.

Colombo market closed in red with the ASPI down 59 points to 12,796 on turnover of Rs.2.38bn. Banking led turnover (60%) as HNB, Sampath, Pan Asia and Commercial Bank were key movers; John Keells and Digital Mobility Solutions declared interim dividends.

LOLC Al-Falaah (part of LOLC Finance) launched the Wadi'ah Gold Storage Facility and its benevolent cash-advance portfolio has surpassed Rs. 2 billion.

Colombo market ended a seven-day winning streak as the ASPI fell 8 points and the S&P SL20 slipped 4 points, with turnover of Rs.1.86 billion. Banking stocks led turnover (34%) while quarterly results boosted PARQ, CONN and JETS, Sampath and Pan Asia were active, and Vidullanka announced an interim dividend of Rs.0.20 per share.

Colombo stock market turnover hit an 8-month high of Rs. 7 billion, led by Harischandra Mills (Rs.1bn), NDB (Rs.663m), Hayleys (Rs.534m), DFCC (Rs.340m) and PABC (Rs.339m); off-board trades transferred 13.9% of Harischandra and 10.7% of Swadeshi.

Sri Lanka's central bank defended open market operations after standing-window deposits rose to Rs200 billion by Oct 29, saying injections averted a spike in interest rates; critics warn the injections are inflationary and risk future balance-of-payments and reserve problems.

John Keells Group won the Standard Chartered Cup 2024, beating LOLC Finance PLC 2-0 in the final. The championship prize included an all-expenses-paid trip to Liverpool to watch a Premier League match at Anfield.

Colombo market closed marginally higher as the ASPI rose 57 points to 12,357 on turnover of Rs.2.3bn and a net foreign inflow of Rs.118.1m. Banking-led buying (35% turnover) and gains in Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, NDB and Central Finance drove the session, with Hayleys and Hemas also up.

A TW Corporate seminar featuring former MBSL executives urged lenders to adopt innovative credit evaluation and creative debt restructuring to reduce credit risk, improve monitoring and optimise balance sheets.

ASPI fell 9 points to 12,300 with turnover of Rs.19.3 billion; John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000) led turnover (Rs.676m), had rights converted to ordinary shares and rose to Rs.199.

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.

A new Fintech Forum Sri Lanka has launched to unite fintechs, banks and regulators to promote digital financial services, chaired by LankaPay CEO Channa de Silva; the board includes executives from LOLC Finance, Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank and Dialog Finance. The forum will work with the Central Bank, ADB and BOI on policy, compliance, membership and international outreach.

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.

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.