News & market updates

ASPI fell 0.12% to 22,351.55 as profit-taking dragged the Colombo market, with declines in MELS, DOCK, CARS, SPEN and LLUB; market turnover was over Rs.4.3bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.21.36m.

Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) via Aitken Spence Travels facilitated shore excursions for about 700 passengers from the Viking Sky cruise that called at Colombo Port. The visitors took curated city, cultural and scenic tours promoting Destination Sri Lanka.

Colombo Stock Exchange, IFC and global partners rang the opening bell to advance women’s economic empowerment; women’s representation on CSE-listed boards rose to 13.7% from 13.4% year-on-year. The initiative highlights ongoing efforts to increase female leadership across Sri Lankan businesses.

AIDAdiva made its maiden call at Hambantota International Port on 12 Feb 2026 carrying about 2,000 passengers and 620 crew; Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd served as port agent and roughly 1,400 passengers disembarked for organised excursions.

Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC appointed C.M.S. Jayawickrama as Managing Director effective 1 April 2026. He was previously an Executive Director, is MD of Aitken Spence Hotel Managements Ltd and has over three decades' experience in the group's hotel operations.

UK DCTS reforms (effective 1 Jan 2026) allow Sri Lankan apparel makers to source fabrics globally and export duty-free to the UK, expected to lift production by over 10% and boost export volumes; delegation visited logistics and QA facilities, including Aitken Spence-supported operations.

Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake has been appointed Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (his third stint) and has resigned as Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC to take the new post on an honorary basis.

Dr Parakrama Dissanayake assumed office as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority on 17 Feb 2026 and will focus on improving port operations and logistics efficiency. He previously held senior leadership roles at Aitken Spence PLC.

Aitken Spence PLC reported Profit Before Tax of Rs. 5.6 billion for the nine months to 31 Dec 2025, up 30% year-on-year. Group revenue was Rs. 67 billion and Profit After Tax rose 42% to Rs. 3.4 billion, with Tourism contributing 68% of revenue.

Aitken Spence PLC reported 9M PBT of Rs. 5.6 billion, a 30% increase year‑on‑year, and PAT up 42% to Rs. 3.4 billion for the nine months ended 31 Dec 2025. Tourism drove gains (PBT Rs.2.0b) while Maritime & Freight Logistics contributed Rs.3.3b; plantations, power and services also improved, offset by apparel losses.

Fitch assigned Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC a first-time National Long-Term Rating of AA+(lka) with a Stable Outlook. Fitch cited strong parent support from Aitken Spence PLC and Melstacorp, but flagged high exposure to the Maldivian economy and rated proposed senior unsecured debentures AA(lka) up to Rs.5bn.

Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings' Heritance Hotels and Resorts was named Superbrands Sri Lanka’s Choice 2025. The award recognizes the brand's excellence, sustainability and experience-led hospitality across Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Aitken Spence PLC served as sustainability partner for the Sri Lanka Air Force’s “Clean Today, Green Tomorrow” initiative, supporting waste management, tree planting, eco-gardening and conservation across SLAF establishments during its 75th anniversary.

EFC's National Best Employer Awards 2025 honoured SPEN.N0000, COMB.N0000, DIAL.N0000, HNB.N0000, HAYL.N0000, HHL.N0000, JKH.N0000 and others as Best Employer winners; honourable mentions included CTC.N0000, LLUB.N0000 and LION.N0000.

The Sri Lanka–Germany Business Council held its 26th AGM and elected Gerard Victoria as President for 2025/26; Aitken Spence group companies were elected to the Executive Committee and the council highlighted priorities including strengthening tourism cooperation and promoting bilateral investment in energy, logistics, manufacturing and digital services.

The Sri Lanka–Germany Business Council elected Gerard Victoria as President at its 26th AGM and set priorities to strengthen tourism cooperation and promote bilateral investment in energy, logistics, manufacturing and digital services. Aitken Spence units were elected to the Council's Executive Committee.

Colombo bourse opened the week down: ASPI fell 0.44% to 23,627.87 with foreign investors net sellers of ~Rs.697.9m and turnover ~Rs.4.7bn. Top negatives included DOCK, COMB, NTB, SAMP and SPEN, while ACL, Tokyo Cement, DIAL and REEF saw notable turnover/interest.

Dr. Mahinda Parakrama Dissanayake, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, was appointed Adviser to the President on Maritime, Ports and Logistics with immediate effect. He accepted the role on an honorary basis to support the government's aim of leveraging Sri Lanka's position as a logistics hub.

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL) recalibrated the MBSL Midcap Index effective 1 January 2026, setting the midcap market-cap range at Rs. 8.45 billion–Rs. 84.5 billion and selecting 25 constituents. New inclusions include Sierra Cables, Aitken Spence, Vallibel Finance, Lanka IOC, JAT Holdings and Prime Lands; Citizens Development, CIC, Ceylon Grain Elevators, John Keells, Hayleys Fabric, Teejay Lanka and Watawala Plantations were excluded.

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.

Colombo market closed marginally up with the ASPI +0.15% to 21,959.05, as John Keells Holdings crossings accounted for about 34% of turnover (total turnover > Rs.4.1bn); foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.331.3m.

Aitken Spence PLC's Conventions & Exhibitions unit inaugurated the 40th Colombo Shopping Festival at BMICH, running until 21 December with over 250 local entrepreneurs participating. Commercial Bank of Ceylon is the official banking partner and ticket proceeds will support families affected by recent disasters.

Hambantota International Port welcomed TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 6 on its maiden call on Dec 3, arriving from Colombo with 2,289 passengers and 950 crew. Aitken Spence Travels curated shore excursions, underscoring growing cruise tourism and port services in southern Sri Lanka.

Aitken Spence PLC's Conventions & Exhibitions unit inaugurated the 40th Colombo Shopping Festival at BMICH, running 12–21 Dec 2025. Commercial Bank is the official banking partner while Browns EV and Nestlé are among other partners; over 250 local entrepreneurs are participating and ticket sales will aid disaster-affected families.

Aitken Spence PLC's travel arm handled The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's maiden calls to Colombo and Galle on 14–15 Dec 2025, positioning the company to capture high-end cruise visitors and strengthen its luxury shore-excursion offerings.

Aitken Spence PLC (via Aitken Spence Travels) handled The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's maiden calls to Colombo and Galle on 14–15 December as the official shore excursion provider. The visit is intended to raise Sri Lanka's profile as a luxury multiport destination for high-end cruise travellers.

People’s Insurance PLC has appointed Chandana Guniyangoda as its new Independent Chairman. Guniyangoda is a veteran finance professional with 27+ years' experience and prior senior roles at NDB Bank, Sampath Bank and Aitken Spence.

Rajan Asirwatham, former Senior Partner and Country Head of KPMG Sri Lanka (1961–2008), has passed away. He served as a director of several listed firms including Aitken Spence PLC, CIC Holdings PLC and Dankotuwa Porcelain Ltd.