News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 1.25% to 20,355.39 as investor uncertainty over the next IMF tranche and possible new budget taxes prompted selling; major banks (Commercial Bank, Sampath, DFCC, HNB) and Melstacorp led declines.

Melstacorp's Melsta Hospitals Ragama appointed Dr. Sanjeewa Rajapakse, a consultant cardiologist with nearly 25 years' experience, to its Board of Directors. He will support the hospital's clinical strategy, service expansion and its drive toward JCI accreditation.

ASPI fell 379.58 points week-on-week to 20,612.40, and the S&P SL20 lost 131.48 points to 5,873.12. Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Browns Investments, Sampath Bank and Bukit Darah were top negative contributors; foreigners were net sellers of Rs.2.3 billion and weekly turnover averaged Rs.5.8 billion (Chevron Lubricants off-board trades Rs.2 billion).

Colombo's ASPI hit an all-time high, closing at 21,062 (+65) on turnover of Rs.13.2bn with net foreign selling of Rs.1bn. John Keells and Commercial Bank led turnover while investor interest shifted toward property names such as Prime Lands Residencies and RIL Property.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.31% to 21,062.45 as turnover reached Rs 13.2 million, mainly driven by a Rs 5.4 million crossing in John Keells Holdings. Top contributors included Central Finance, Melstacorp and Cargills.

Balangoda Plantations' Telbedde Estate (part of Melstacorp) was named a 2025 Outstanding Tea Producer and has posted record auction prices, including a Rs. 2,500/kg BOP1 sale. The 1,121-hectare estate (512 ha under tea) uses sustainable practices and supports about 5,000 residents.

Colombo market ended a five-day rally as ASPI fell 0.32% (down 66.29 pts) to 20,649.20 and S&P SL20 declined 0.31% to 6,089.84 as investors booked profits. Banking stocks (Commercial Bank, DFCC) and conglomerates (Ceylinco Holdings, Carson Cumberbatch, Melstacorp) weighed on the drop.

The Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.32% (66.29 pts) to 20,649.20, weighed down by declines in Ceylinco Holdings, Commercial Bank, Carson Cumberbatch and Melstacorp while DFCC Bank rose. Turnover fell to 5.1 billion and share volume was 181,232,722.

Dividend · Rs 1.72 · XD Sep 2, 2025

Third Interim dividend of LKR 1.72/share; XD 2025-09-02; record 2025-09-02; payable 2025-09-19; FY 2024/25

S&P SL20 crossed 6,000 for the first time, rising 58.46 points (0.97%) to close at 6,055.92; the ASPI also hit a record 20,571.07 (up 100.55 points, 0.49%) with turnover over Rs.10.8 billion.

Colombo bourse rose 252.16 points (1.25%) as ASPI closed at 20,471 with turnover Rs.7.74bn; banking sector led turnover (28%) and top contributors included COMB, CARS, MELS, JKH and DFCC, while some stocks (e.g. PKME) fell.

Colombo ASPI rose 1.25% (252.16 pts) to 20,470.52 on Monday, led by gains in the banking sector. Commercial Bank (+Rs7.75 to Rs189), DFCC Bank (+Rs5.75 to Rs166), Carson Cumberbatch (+Rs105.50 to Rs746), Melstacorp (+Rs5 to Rs165) and John Keells (+Rs0.50 to Rs23.50) were among top risers.

ASPI rose 96.45 points (0.49%) to close at 19,923 as the CSE opened with mixed sentiment; foreigners were net sellers with a net outflow of Rs.117.2m. Banking led turnover (25%) while Capital Goods and Diversified Financials together contributed 28% of turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.11% to 19,826.57 with turnover of 3.2 billion rupees, led by diversified financials. Top movers included Colombo Fort Land & Building, Melstacorp and Agarapatana Plantations (up), while Dipped Products fell and Teejay Lanka rose.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.44% (86.80 pts) to 19,804.80 as buying returned after a two-day slide. Buying interest supported John Keells (flat), CIC (up to 142.50), Singer (up to 67.90) and gains in Melstacorp, Carson Cumberbatch, Co-operative Insurance and PGP Glass; turnover rose to 4.4 billion rupees.

ASPI fell 0.34% to 19,718 as profit-taking and net foreign outflows of Rs.145.4m weighed on the Colombo bourse; turnover was Rs.3.3bn, led by capital goods and banking stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 0.34% (68.23 pts) as selling pressure on John Keells Holdings and profit taking in diversified financials weighed on the market; JKH, Melstacorp, DFCC, Vallibel One and Commercial Bank were top negatives while Hatton National Bank gained.

ASPI fell 0.64% to 19,786 after briefly crossing the 20,000 mark, with turnover of Rs.4.53bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.8.2m. Banking stocks and conglomerates weighed on the market, with JKH, MELS, NDB, AEL and BUKI among top negative contributors while DFCC and Royal Ceramics saw gains.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.64% to 19,786.23 after earlier crossing the 20,000 mark, with turnover sliding to LKR 4.5bn. Banking counters saw buying while large caps including ACL Cables, Melstacorp, Hayleys and Central Finance weighed on the index.

Colombo market closed July with ASPI up 9% for the month (ASPI YTD +23%) and S&P SL20 up 7.7% (YTD +18.5%), with average daily turnover in July at Rs.7.16bn. Banking-led activity saw HAYL, DFCC, BIL, NDB and COCR as key contributors while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.134m).

Colombo market extended its positive streak to nine days as the ASPI rose about 34 points (0.17%) on turnover of Rs.5.28 billion. Key contributors included MELS, SEYB, CTC, ACL and SAMP; ACL rose Rs.6.50 while Access Engineering fell 30 cents, and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.36.2m.

Colombo bourse closed marginally higher as the ASPI rose 0.17% to 19,566.15, led by capital goods and bank stocks. John Keells reported a Rs.803.7mn loss in the June quarter and Ceylon Cold Stores' June-quarter net fell 7% to Rs.1,092.7mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange sustained an upward trend as the ASPI rose 0.07% and turnover climbed to Rs. 7.59 billion. The banking sector contributed 38% of turnover, while gains in ACL, Melstacorp, Hayleys and Central Finance and active trading in Sierra Cables and Access Engineering underpinned the session; John Keells weakened.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.07% to 19,532.20 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.38% to 5,752.46, turnover rose to Rs 7.5 billion; ACL Cables, Melstacorp, Hayleys, Central Finance and Cargills were notable gainers.

Colombo market opened higher as the ASPI rose 0.26% (50 points) to close at 19,518, with turnover around Rs. 6.16 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers (Rs. 30.2m) and gains were led by Royal Ceramics, Melstacorp, Hemas, L B Finance and C T Holdings, with Capital Goods, Banking and Diversified Financials driving turnover.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.26% (50.15 pts) to 19,517.86, led by gains in capital goods stocks including Royal Ceramics (RCL.N0000), Melstacorp (MELS.N0000), Hemas (HHL.N0000), L B Finance (LFIN.N0000) and C T Holdings (CTHR.N0000). Turnover increased to 6.1 billion rupees.

Continental Insurance Lanka appointed Dr. Naomal Balasuriya and Dr. K. Thiyagarajah Iraivan to its Board; both bring extensive healthcare, management and governance experience and have prior links to Melstacorp and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka.

The ASPI rose 0.46% to 19,467.71 as retail buying in diversified financials lifted the market. Top contributors included Central Finance, C T Holdings, DFCC Bank, Bukit Darah and Melstacorp.

Profit-taking dragged the Colombo market down, with ASPI closing 8 points lower (‑0.04%) at 18,877 on turnover of Rs.6.2bn and foreign net selling of Rs.115.2m. COMB, MELS, SAMP and NDB were top negative contributors while JETS, SERV and AEL recorded gains.

Sri Lanka stocks closed marginally down with the ASPI slipping 0.04% to 18,876.85 and the S&P SL20 falling 0.69% to 5,628.93. Turnover dipped to 6.8 billion rupees amid early profit-taking, with Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and NDB weighing on the market and high volumes in Industrial Asphalts, Jetwing Symphony and Beruwala Resorts.