News & market updates

Softlogic Holdings PLC appointed Imran Furkan as an Independent Non-Executive Director effective 29 August 2025. Furkan, CEO of Tresync (Australia), has prior board roles including at Odel, Asiri Surgical Hospital and Maharaja Foods and experience across health, retail and IT.

Maharaja Foods (MFPE.N0000) will amalgamate its wholly owned subsidiaries Maharaja Marketing (Pvt) Ltd and Maharaja Supermarket (Pvt) Ltd effective September, the company said in a stock exchange filing. The firm produces processed ethnic foods, the bulk of which are exported.

Global coconut milk powder market is projected to rise from USD 224.2m in 2025 to USD 409.9m by 2032, a 9% CAGR; growth is driven by veganism, lactose intolerance and expanded food, beverage and personal care applications.

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.

Senthilverl Holdings raised its stake in Maharaja Foods to 10.14% from 8.11% by buying 2,540,083 shares at Rs 8.60–9.00, taking its holding to 12,676,341 shares (2.03% of issued).

The SEC and Colombo Stock Exchange ran an issuer awareness session 'Path to a Public Listing' at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, attended by over 80 students and alumni. Presenters and panelists included representatives from Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance (MBSL) and Maharaja Foods (MFPE).

Colombo market closed Friday lower with the ASPI down 108 points (0.64%) to 16,918 and the S&P SL20 off 1.23%; turnover was Rs.7.44bn. Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Banking were top turnover contributors while selected stocks (e.g., Melstacorp, Sierra Cables) saw mixed moves.

Colombo's ASPI briefly touched 13,000 while turnover rose to Rs. 4.3 billion as markets rallied ahead of parliamentary elections. The banking sector led turnover and counters such as John Keells, Richard Pieris, C T Holdings, Bukit Darah and DFCC were among top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, with the All Share Index rising 0.05% to 12,171 and the S&P SL20 up 0.14% to 3,595. Turnover was 1.3 billion, top turnover generators included Commercial Bank, Hayleys, John Keells and Sampath Bank, and there was a net foreign outflow of 21 million rupees.

Seventeen Sri Lankan export companies, including Maharaja Foods (MFPE), visited Melbourne to attend Fine Food Australia 2024 and meet potential buyers and distributors. Delegates held B2B meetings, reviewed distribution channels and attended an Australian Biosecurity (BICON) briefing to explore market entry.

A Sri Lanka Export Development Board-led trade delegation of 17 food companies, including Maharaja Foods, visited Melbourne from 2–6 September to promote exports and attend Fine Food Australia. Delegates held B2B meetings, met buyers and distributors, and attended biosecurity briefings to support market entry.

Maharaja Foods (MFPE) was one of 17 Sri Lankan food firms in a trade delegation to Melbourne (2–6 Sep 2024) to promote exports at Fine Food Australia and hold B2B meetings with Australian buyers. Delegates also received biosecurity briefings and inspected retail/distribution channels to expand market access for tea, spices, processed food and coconut products.

ASPI fell 162.1 points (-1.43%) to 11,200 and the S&P SL20 dropped 2.0%, led by declines in banks and frontline counters including HNB, COMB, LOLC, JKH and SAMP; turnover was Rs. 554.3m and foreigners were net buyers of about Rs. 49m.