News & market updates

Dividend · Rs 2.15 · XD Dec 3, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 2.15/share; XD 2025-12-03; record 2025-12-04; payable 2025-12-22; FY 2025/26

Colombo Bourse closed higher as ASPI rose 0.33% (75.10 pts) to 23,104.96 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.32% to 6,382.18 on turnover of Rs.3.49 billion, with foreign investors net selling Rs.40.9m. Sampath, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah, John Keells and Carson were key positive contributors while Commercial Bank and CIC rose and Melstacorp fell.

Colombo market recovered from early losses to finish the week essentially flat, with the ASPI down 0.01% at 23,459.75 and the S&P SL20 down 0.34% at 6,435.93. Market turnover was over Rs. 5.6 billion, foreigners were net sellers (~Rs. 5.9m), and heavy activity was led by banking, capital goods and food sectors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally lower: ASPI fell 0.01% to 23,459.75 and S&P SL20 fell 0.34% to 6,435.93. Top negatives included Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, Diesel & Motor Engineering and Hayleys; Dipped Products posted a Sept-quarter net profit of LKR 920m and rose, while Ceylon Tobacco said volumes fell and its stock dipped.

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 ASPI fell 0.17% to 22,812.52 on Friday as selling pressure trimmed the market by 38.43 points; top decliners included Harischandra Mills, Sampath Bank, Melstacorp and Senkadagala Finance.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.36% to 22,292.28 while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.43% to 6,198.82; top decliners included Sampath Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, John Keells and C T Holdings, and Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance was the biggest gainer. Market turnover was 5.6 billion rupees.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended its rally into a 15th session as the ASPI rose 0.31% (68.34 pts) to 22,163.23 with turnover of Rs. 7.95 billion. SAMP, BREW, MELS and SPEN were top positive contributors while foreign investors were net sellers (Rs. 223.3m outflow).

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.

Telbedde Estate of Balangoda Plantations (BALA.N0000) and Pedro Estate of Kelani Valley Plantations (KVAL.N0000) secured the second- and third-highest prices at the Ceylon Specialty Estate Tea charity auction in Osaka, fetching JPY 65,000/kg and JPY 55,000/kg respectively.

Colombo market rally extended to a 14th session as the ASPI closed at 22,094.89, topping 22,000 for the first time with turnover around Rs.9.7–9.8 billion. Banking and diversified financials led turnover (Commercial Bank, Pan Asia, Lanka Credit & Business Finance among top contributors) while foreigners were net sellers.

Sri Lanka's stock market closed higher with the ASPI at 22,094.89 (up 0.65%) and S&P SL20 at 6,187.51 (up 0.64%), led by Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, Dipped Products, Hayleys and Commercial Bank; market turnover was LKR 9.7bn. Nations Trust Bank announced conversion of non-voting to voting shares for Q4 2025.

Balangoda Plantations PLC's Telbedde Estate won the Overall Gold Award at the Ceylon Specialty Estate Tea of the Year 2025, and its OP1 lot fetched ¥65,000/kg (Rs. 133,620/kg) at a charity auction in Osaka. The estate is under the stewardship of Melstacorp PLC, and the recognition is expected to bolster demand for its premium single-estate teas.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended its rally to a 13th session as the ASPI rose 0.46% (100.49 pts) to 21,951.79 with turnover of Rs.6.5bn and foreign net inflows of Rs.46.4m. Banking, capital goods and food/beverage counters led activity, with Melstacorp, Access Engineering, Union Bank, RCL and NDB among top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose after Fitch confirmed Sri Lanka's CCC+ sovereign rating; the ASPI closed up 0.46% at 21,951.79. Market turnover was Rs6.51bn, with bank stocks (Rs1.54bn) and capital goods (Rs1.35bn) driving gains and top contributors including Melstacorp, Access Engineering, Royal Ceramics and NDB.

Colombo bourse extended its rally for a 12th session as the ASPI rose 0.33% to 21,851.30, led by banking-stock buying and positive contributions from MELS, HHL, DIMO and RIL. Turnover was Rs. 6.46bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 90.7m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.33% (72.70 pts) to 21,851.30, while the S&P SL20 gained 0.20% to 6,138.79. Top contributors included Melstacorp (173.50), Hemas Holdings (33.50) and Diesel & Motor Engineering (2,184.75); market turnover was 6.5 billion rupees.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended its rally into an 11th session as the ASPI rose 0.47% (102.30 pts) to 21,778.60 with turnover of Rs. 6.27 billion and foreign net outflows of Rs. 362.2 million. Top contributors included DIMO, BUKI, CCS, MELS, WATA and SUN, with gains also in CHOT and PKME.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.47% to 21,778.60, led by gains in Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO.N0000), Bukit Darah (BUKI.N0000), Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS.N0000), Melstacorp (MELS.N0000) and Watawala Plantations (WATA.N0000).

Colombo stock market opened the week higher as the ASPI rose 0.36% (77.31 pts) to 21,676.20, led by plantation counters and conglomerates; turnover was about Rs.4.2bn and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.15.6m.

Colombo stocks rose on Monday with the ASPI up 0.36% (77.31 points) as retail buying lifted plantation and some manufacturing shares; top contributors included Carson Cumberbatch, Melstacorp, John Keells, Namunukula and Watawala.

The ASPI closed at 21,599, rising 0.36% (78 points) on the day and finishing the week up 2.4% (S&P SL20 up 1.9% for the week). Turnover was Rs.6.02bn yesterday (week avg daily Rs.7.11bn); capital goods led turnover and top contributors included Hemas, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, CIC, Gran, Sunshine, Kelani Cables and John Keells.

Colombo market ended the week at a new high as the ASPI rose 2.29% to 21,085.09 (SL20 up 2.09% to 5,996.16); JKH, Hayleys, Sierra Cables, Melstacorp and Aitken Spence were the top positive contributors to the rally.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.57% to 21,085, led by Sierra Cables and diversified conglomerates; market turnover was Rs 6.5bn with Sierra Cables contributing Rs 1.2bn. Top index contributors included John Keells, Hayleys, Sierra Cables, Melstacorp and Aitken Spence; net foreign inflow was Rs 58.21m.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.91% (189.84 pts) to 20,965.26, extending a three-session rally; FCT.N0000 declared a Rs.5 dividend and its shares jumped 30.2%, while NTB.N0000, DFCC.N0000, JKH.N0000, CINS.N0000 and MELS.N0000 were key contributors. Turnover was Rs.6.86bn and foreigners were net sellers (Rs.481.2m).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +0.91% at 20,965 and S&P SL20 +1.16% at 5,971, with turnover Rs6.86bn led by diversified financials, banks and capital goods. Top contributors included Nations Trust Bank, DFCC, John Keells, Singer and Melstacorp; First Capital Treasuries declared a Rs5 dividend and Acme announced a six‑for‑one rights issue.

Colombo stocks rose for a second session as the ASPI gained 0.76% (156.05 pts) to 20,775.42 on turnover of Rs. 6.61bn, with foreigners net selling Rs. 580m. Commercial Bank, Hemas and Melstacorp were top positive contributors while Alumex posted a strong gain and Sierra Cables declined.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +0.76% to 20,775 and S&P SL20 +0.59% to 5,903, with turnover Rs6.61bn driven by materials (Rs1.12bn) and capital goods (Rs1.68bn). Alumex was heavily traded and ACL Cables, which announced an interim dividend of Rs1.50, also rose.

Colombo market fell as the ASPI and S&P SL20 declined 1.25% amid profit-taking led by banks, with ASPI down 257 points — the largest intraday drop since 23 June. Turnover was Rs.4 billion and foreigners recorded a net outflow of Rs.80.5 million; several bank counters led losses.