News & market updates

Colombo market slipped as the ASPI fell 73 points (0.36%) and the S&P SL20 declined 0.78% on Rs. 4.4bn turnover, with foreign investors net sellers of Rs. 801.2m amid profit-taking and political uncertainty following the remand of former President Wickremesinghe.

Colombo market closed up for a fifth straight session as the ASPI inched to a record 20,715.49 (up 0.69 points) on turnover of Rs. 10.5 billion. Gains in Dialog Axiata, Sunshine and Royal Ceramics helped lift the index while banking names (HNB, Sampath) dominated turnover and foreigners were net sellers (Rs. 552.6m).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat with the ASPI at 20,715.49 (+0.69) and market turnover of 10.52 billion rupees. Top contributors included Dialog Axiata, Sunshine, Royal Ceramics, Co-operative Insurance and Ambeon, while most banking stocks — including Commercial Bank, Sampath and HNB — closed lower.

The Sri Lanka–Indonesia Business Council held its 2nd AGM; Sunshine Holdings' Vish Govindasamy stepped down and Ceylon Biscuits' Shea Wickramasingha was appointed president for 2025/26. The council highlighted trade ties and upcoming Trade Expo Indonesia 2025, with committee representation from Dilmah, hSenid, Aitken Spence and Amana Bank.

Sunshine Holdings PLC reported 1QFY26 consolidated revenue of Rs. 15.9 billion (+11.6% YoY) and PAT of Rs. 1.7 billion (+20.6% YoY). Healthcare was the largest contributor (54.2%); agribusiness via Watawala Plantations posted 20.7% revenue growth with an expanded EBIT margin of 48.8%.

Sunshine Holdings (SUN) reported consolidated revenue of LKR 15.9 billion in 1QFY26, up 11.6% YoY, and PAT of LKR 1.7 billion (+20.6% YoY). Healthcare drove performance (54.2% of revenue) while consumer and agribusiness (represented by Watawala) also posted YoY gains.

Sunshine Holdings (CSE: SUN) reported consolidated FY25 revenue of Rs. 59.3 billion, a 7.0% YoY increase driven by double-digit growth in Healthcare (55% of group revenue). The group also held its SUN Awards 2025 recognising employee achievements across healthcare, consumer goods and agribusiness.

Colombo market extended its rally after the Central Bank held policy rates, with the ASPI up 151.15 pts (0.79%) to 19,243. Turnover was Rs.6.23bn (235.33m shares) while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.99.6m); DFCC, Richard Pieris, NDB, Carson, NTB, JKH, Dockyard, Sunshine and RIL were among top contributors/movers.

Colombo bourse hit a new high as the ASPI closed at 19,044, up roughly 70–77 points while the S&P SL20 fell about 8 points; turnover was around Rs.5.3–5.4bn and net foreign outflow stood at Rs.121.4m.

Sunshine Holdings (SUN) reported consolidated FY25 revenue of LKR 59.3 billion, a 7.0% YoY increase. The group held its SUN Awards 2025, presenting 215 awards including 65 long-service awards across healthcare, consumer goods and agribusiness.

Rienzie T. Wijetilleke, a veteran banker, has died aged 85; he served 24 years at Hatton National Bank (including as Managing Director and Non-Executive Chairman) and also held leadership/director roles at Sunshine Holdings, Nawaloka Hospitals and DFCC Bank.

Colombo's ASPI finished the week up 1.5%, closing at 18,148 (up 47 pts) while the S&P SL20 gained 1.6%, with weekly turnover averaging Rs.6.8bn. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, Sunshine and CT Holdings, and food retailing led turnover.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.26% (47.42 pts) to 18,148.34 as US tariff threats loomed, with buying lifting banks and conglomerates; John Keells, Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Sunshine closed higher.

Colombo market closed the week with the ASPI up 4.6% (closed 17,873, +132pts) and daily turnover Rs.5.12bn; CTHR, JKH, SAMP, HNB and CDB were among top contributors, capital goods and diversified financials led turnover while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.441.5m.

ASPI rose 1% (205 pts) to a record 17,740 as turnover hit Rs.6.85bn. Diversified Financials led activity (20% of turnover) with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Capital Goods also active; HNB Finance, Sunshine, Hemas and Dipped Products were among the top gainers.

The Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 1.17% (204.84 pts) to 17,740.46 with turnover of 6.8 billion. Top contributors included C T Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Nations Trust Bank, Sunshine Holdings and Central Finance.

CFA Society Sri Lanka held the Capital Market Awards 2025 on 24 June; Sunshine Holdings won Gold for Best Investor Relations (Mid-to-Large), hSenid Business Solutions won Best Investor Relations (Small Cap), Talawakelle Tea Estates won Silver for Best Sustainability Reporting, and Dialog Axiata and Commercial Bank shared Bronze. Capital Alliance was a Gold sponsor and Hatton National Bank served as Banking Partner.

CFA Society Sri Lanka held the 12th Capital Market Awards on 24 June, with Sunshine Holdings winning Gold for Best Investor Relations (Mid-to-Large Cap). hSenid won Gold for Best Investor Relations (Small Cap); Hemas won Silver (Mid-to-Large), Talawakelle Tea Estates won Silver for Best Sustainability Reporting, and Dialog and Commercial Bank shared Bronze for Sustainability.

Asia Frontier Capital has increased its weight on Sri Lanka equities to 14% from about 5% two years ago. The fund cites improving macro fundamentals, political stability and pickup in tourism and corporate earnings, and lists holdings including JKH, Commercial Bank, HNB, Hemas, Sunshine, Dipped Products and Melstacorp.

Sunshine Consumer Lanka (Sunshine Holdings PLC) was named "Best Marketing Company of the Year – Sri Lanka" by SLIM and will represent Sri Lanka at the Asia Marketing Federation Awards 2025 in China. The recognition highlights its purpose-led marketing across brands such as Zesta, Watawala and confectionery lines including Daintee.

Sunshine Holdings' Zesta brand premiered a new commercial at an exclusive screening on 11 June, relaunching its 'My Zesta Story' campaign and returning to its storytelling roots. The article notes Sunshine's consumer segment includes leading tea brands and a significant export arm.

ASPI rose 138 points (0.8%) to 17,353 as the CSE extended its rally on turnover of Rs.7.37bn, led by heavy trading in CDB and CFIN; notable price gains were seen in CDB, CFIN, CTC, HHL, CIC and SUN, while SPEN topped net foreign buying and PKME topped net foreign selling.

Sunshine Holdings reported consolidated revenue of LKR 59.3 billion for FY25, up 7.0% YoY and led by 17.3% growth in Healthcare which contributed 55% of group revenue. Group EBIT rose 7.1% to LKR 9.3 billion while PAT fell to LKR 5.9 billion after a 48.9% increase in income tax.

Sunshine Holdings has partnered with the IFC to run a women's employment advisory program, including a diagnostic of women's employment and Respectful Workplaces training to improve recruitment, retention, reporting and monitoring across the group.

Colombo market rose with ASPI +0.6% and S&P SL20 +0.9% on turnover of Rs.6.4bn, led by Sampath Bank, LOLC, Hemas and Sierra Cables; foreigners were net sellers (Rs.218m outflow). Several firms made gains and interim dividends were announced (RIL, UML).

Dividend · Rs 0.60 · XD Jun 30, 2025

Final dividend of LKR 0.6/share; XD 2025-06-30; record 2025-06-30; payable 2025-07-18; FY 31st March 2025

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.

Sunshine Holdings PLC (CSE: SUN) concluded a three-month 'Smart Life Challenge', an HR-led fitness and wellness program engaging employees across business units with professional trainers and nutritionists; the initiative will continue as an ongoing program.