News & market updates

TiECON 2026 in Colombo drew 600 delegates and 30 international speakers; Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) was Platinum Sponsor and CEO Damith Pallewatte moderated a panel. The 'Go Global' summit focused on market-entry strategies, AI adoption and exporting pathways for Sri Lankan firms.

Seminar on safeguards under the amended Companies Act No. 12 of 2025 will be held on 27 Jan (2–5pm) at NH Collection, Colombo 3. Organisers say the amendments place new responsibilities and stricter penal sanctions on company secretaries and directors; speakers include HNB and LOLC Insurance chairs.

Colombo market rose as the ASPI gained 0.66% (150.67 pts) to 23,014.75, with market value up Rs.58.89 billion and turnover ~Rs.5.8 billion. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, ACL Cables, Dipped Products, Carson Cumberbatch, LOLC and Sampath, and foreigners were net buyers (~Rs.87.8m).

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.66% as the ASPI closed 150.67 points higher at 23,014.75. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, Carson Cumberbatch, ACL Cables, LOLC and Sampath Bank; turnover rose to 5.7 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 87 million rupees.

Port City Colombo has commissioned public utility connections to Colombo’s main grid and attracted over $1bn in land development investments as it moves into full commercial operations. Browns Investments PLC (part of the LOLC group) has broken ground on a $120m Luxury Marina with berthing for 200 vessels.

Aggregate profits of 273 listed companies fell 12% YoY to Rs.176.5 billion in Sep-25, ending a seven-quarter growth streak. Banks (Rs.52bn, +39% YoY) and diversified financials (Rs.39bn, +112% YoY) underpinned a QoQ rebound, while food, beverage & tobacco and capital goods posted steep declines.

Port City Colombo marks 11 years as CHEC reiterates progress, announcing commissioning of public utility connections to Colombo’s grid and citing over USD 1bn in land development investments, including a USD 120m marina by Browns Investments (LOLC group).

CSE ended mixed with the ASPI up 0.13% to 21,927.00 and the S&P SL20 down 0.05% to 6,011.31, on turnover of about Rs.2.56bn and foreign net selling of ~Rs.68.6m. Top positive contributors included DOCK, RICH, SAMP, JKH and CARG, while SFCL, SUN, RCL, LOLC and HHL were among decliners.

LOLC Holdings launched the 'Obai Mamai Ape Ratai' initiative, committing over Rs. 400 million to a three-phase Cyclone Ditwah relief programme to distribute family super packs, renovate 200 schools and rebuild destroyed schools.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run a Jingle Sale from Dec 19–31 offering free delivery, up to 85% off and Rs. 80 million in vouchers. Customers can unlock extra savings (up to 15%) with select banks including Commercial Bank, Sampath, NDB, Nations Trust and via LOLC's KOKO BNPL (up to 12%).

Browns Investments PLC said its subsidiary Browns Ari Resort sold the Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives Resort to ASB Hotel Properties Maldives for USD 57,500,000.

LOLC Finance (LOFC.N0000) listed and raised 15 billion rupees via 5-year rated, senior, unsecured debentures offered at par, carrying interest rates of 11.5% and 10.95%.

LOLC General Insurance PLC appointed Dulip Samaraweera as a Non-Executive Director. He brings over two decades of financial services experience and currently holds multiple board roles across the LOLC Group.

Sierra Cables (SIRA.N0000) reported 1H revenue up 80% to Rs. 7.51bn and net profit up 130% to Rs. 1.37bn. The company affirmed an A+ national rating, is expanding exports (notably to the US), increasing capacity and targeting renewable-energy and construction-grade product lines.

Cabinet approved the 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' Fund to finance recovery from Cyclone Ditwah and appointed a management committee chaired by Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando that includes private-sector representatives from Hayleys, John Keells, Aitken Spence and LOLC.

CSE closed two hours early due to cyclone Ditwah; the ASPI rose 0.35% to 22,742.46 on turnover of over Rs.1.9bn, with foreign investors net selling Rs.326.3m (month-to-date outflow Rs.3.7bn). Top contributors were BUKI, AEL, BIL, LOLC and DOCK.

LOLC General Insurance PLC rose to become the 4th largest general insurer in Sri Lanka by end-3Q 2025, recording 17% GWP growth and raising market share to 9.06%. Its Motor segment remains the 3rd largest motor insurer with 23% growth, supported by the LOLC Group ecosystem and digital initiatives.

LOLC Finance said the Central Bank approved its proposed Rs. 15 billion debenture issue. The issue covers up to 150 million listed, rated, unsecured, senior, redeemable debentures after the company trimmed an earlier Rs. 20 billion plan; LOFC posted strong recent profits.

People’s Bank has become the first state bank to receive a Corporate Finance Adviser Licence from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. Its investment banking unit (PBIBU) has managed 32 debenture listings and one equity IPO mobilising over Rs.200 billion and is structuring four new debt issuances for late 2025/early 2026.

NDB Bank signed an MoU with Browns EV to provide tailored leasing solutions for Browns EV’s Wuling and BAW electric vehicle range, expanding access to EV ownership in Sri Lanka.

Ceylon Motor Show 2025 returned to Colombo (24–26 Oct 2025) with the largest-ever vehicle display in Sri Lanka and LOLC Holdings PLC as Title Partner. The three-day event highlighted electric/hybrid vehicles and featured over 150 classic cars and 30+ international brands.

LOLC Al-Falaah Takaful Life and General won four awards at the 10th IFFSA Awards 2025 — Silver and Bronze for Takaful Window/Unit of the Year 2024/25 and Bronze and Merit for Islamic NBFI Window/Unit of the Year 2024/25, highlighting the group’s takaful growth and digital capabilities.

LOLC Finance’s Al-Falaah unit relaunched an upgraded international Visa debit card featuring EMV chip security, dual-interface contact/contactless functionality, dual-network ATM access and zero joining/annual/ATM/hidden fees. The card aims to expand digital payments and financial inclusion with real-time alerts and merchant discounts.

LOLC Holdings has been named Title Partner of the Ceylon Motor Show 2025, running 24–26 Oct at BMICH. The event, returning after six years, expects ~30,000 visitors and will showcase vehicles (including EVs), new market debuts and vintage car displays.

LOLC Insurance appointed Chandana L. Aluthgama as Executive Director and Principal Officer of LOLC Life Assurance and Director of LOLC General Insurance, and named Kithsiri Gunawardena as Director of LOLC Life Assurance while he remains Chairman of LOLC General Insurance.

Hayleys tops the LMD 100 rankings for FY2024/25 with consolidated revenue exceeding Rs. 492 billion. LOLC Holdings and Carson Cumberbatch are second and third (nearly Rs. 340bn and over Rs. 323bn), while Commercial Bank leads profitability with PAT over Rs. 55bn; Browns and HNB follow.

The Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI rose 0.26% to 21,282, led by gains in diversified financials, banks and capital goods. Top contributors included Hayleys, LOLC, Browns Investments, DIMO and Ceylon Cold Stores, with turnover Rs6.56bn and a net foreign inflow of Rs61.38m.

Ten corporates, including SPEN.N0000, LOLC.N0000, CARS.N0000, SUN.N0000, PKME.N0000 and DIMO.N0000, sponsored the Daily FT-CICRA 11th Annual Cyber Security Summit to provide cybersecurity training to over 100 state university students.

Country Roads charity concert will be held at Cinnamon Life’s The Forum on October 19, 2025; sponsors include Cinnamon Life, Dilmah, LOLC and Cargills, with tickets priced at Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 on sale at Cargills Food City outlets.