News & market updates

The Colombo Stock Exchange ended the week with the ASPI up 0.6% and net foreign inflows of Rs.155.9 million, with weekly turnover averaging Rs.2.97 billion; notable contributors included HHL, COOP, SUN, CTHR and BUKI.

Central Bank cut rates by 25 basis points, lifting the Colombo Stock Exchange 0.19% as the ASPI closed 31.49 points higher at 16,504.86. Hemas, Co-operative Insurance, Sunshine, C T Holdings, Bukit Darah and Haycarb were among gainers while Teejay Lanka and Dipped Products fell.

Colombo market jumped as the ASPI rose 215 points (1.35%) to 16,131, reclaiming the 16,000 level with turnover of Rs.3.3bn. HNB, COMB, CFIN, SAMP, SPEN and JKH were among the top drivers and foreign investors were net buyers (Rs.25.5m).

Colombo market ended the session marginally down with the ASPI falling 10 points to 15,916 while both ASPI and S&P SL20 gained 0.4% for the week; turnover was about Rs.1.5–1.54 billion and Materials led activity. Ceylon Grain Elevators (GRAN) rose 6.06% and HNB gained, while HHL, TJL, SPEN and RCL pressured the index; ACME closed flat.

The ASPI fell 120 points (0.75%) to 15,842 as investors reacted to the ruling NPP's weaker-than-expected LG poll showing, with turnover of Rs. 3.2bn. Major drags included JKH, CINS, COMB, SPEN and SAMP while Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover (61%).

Sunshine Holdings' retail arm Healthguard opened its 16th outlet at Thalahena, Malabe, the chain's first store launch in 2025. The opening extends Healthguard's footprint beyond Colombo to serve suburban customers and highlights its 'Purple Service' customer-care model.

Sunshine Holdings' fully owned subsidiary Healthguard Distribution has signed a partnership with Micro Healthcare (Pvt) Ltd to distribute Micro Labs' pharmaceutical portfolio across Sri Lanka, leveraging Healthguard's network of over 4,500 retailers.

Colombo market ended a four-day winning streak as the ASPI fell 0.4% (67 points) to 15,800 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.6%. Turnover was Rs.2.37bn; banking, diversified financials and Food & Beverage led declines, and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.90.6m.

Fitch affirmed Hemas Holdings PLC's National Long-Term Rating at 'AAA (lka)' with a Stable Outlook, citing defensive cash flows and leading positions in pharmaceuticals and HPC; Fitch expects capex to rise to ~Rs.7bn p.a. in FY26–FY27 and forecasts EBITDA net leverage below 1.0x.

Fitch affirmed Hemas Holdings PLC's national long-term rating at 'AAA(lka)' with a Stable Outlook. Fitch cited the group's defensive operating cash flows (healthcare and consumer brands ~90% of EBIT) and noted planned capex rising to around LKR7.0 billion annually in FY26–FY27.

Colombo Bourse closed the week higher, with the ASPI up ~2% and finishing at 15,742 after a 126-point gain on Friday. Market gains were led by LOLC, RCL, NDB, SUN and MELS, with Friday turnover at Rs.2.4bn (Capital Goods, Food & Beverage and Diversified Financials leading) while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.103.6m).

Colombo stocks rose 0.81% as exporters rallied on expectations of a US–Sri Lanka trade deal, with the ASPI closing at 15,742.04 (up 126.41 pts). Key contributors included Teejay Lanka, Hayleys Fabric, Haycarb, Dipped Products, LOLC and Royal Ceramics, while selected banks (Sampath, HNB, Amana) fell.

The ASPI gained 72 points (+0.5%) to 15,616 as the Colombo market bounced back, led by the capital goods sector. Turnover was about Rs.1.5 billion with net foreign inflows of Rs.35.2m; notable movers included Hemas, John Keells, Browns, Alumex and DFCC.

Colombo market slipped for a third day as the ASPI closed at 15,544 (down ~12 points) while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05%; turnover was Rs.1.09bn, 57% below the monthly average. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover, banking sentiment stayed weak; JKH, SUN, CCS rose while CFIN, DFCC and MELS lagged.

Sri Lanka stocks closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 15,543.99 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 4,608.41. Trading was volatile with Lion Brewery, Melstacorp, Central Finance, NTB and DFCC among top decliners, Haycarb and Hayleys Fiber gained and turnover was LKR 1.1bn.

Colombo bourse opened marginally negative as the ASPI fell 17 points (0.11%) to 15,600 on low turnover of Rs.1.16bn. Banking stocks led turnover (24% share) while HAYL, LION, JKH, DIPD and TJL were top negative contributors and Sampath and Lanka IOC drew buying interest.

Sri Lanka export stocks fell after China warned it would take countermeasures, with the ASPI down 0.11% to 15,599.61. Export-linked names including Teejay Lanka, Dipped Products, Hayleys Fabric, John Keells and Lion Brewery led declines amid weak market sentiment.

Suwa Diviya launched the "Ready to Live a Healthier Life" corporate wellness campaign, commencing with a wellness day at Sunshine Holdings that offered free health screenings, expert talks and healthy food experiences.

Sunshine Holdings' pharmaceutical arm Lina Manufacturing unveiled a new logo and brand identity after reporting LKR 4 billion revenue and producing over 3 million MDI units last financial year. Sunshine said it is committed to further investments to grow Lina as a leading respiratory pharma company.

Sunshine Holdings’ pharmaceutical arm Lina Manufacturing was the Platinum Sponsor of RESPIRE 2025, the Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists’ 15th annual congress. The sponsorship highlights Lina’s commitment to respiratory healthcare and notes its portfolio of MDIs, DPIs and nebulization products.

The Colombo market opened April higher, with the ASPI up 119 points (0.76%) on turnover of Rs. 1.9 billion. Banking stocks saw early selling around XD dates while blue-chips and capital goods (e.g. Hayleys, John Keells, Melstacorp) were key contributors.

Sunshine Holdings (CSE: SUN) announced Vish Govindasamy will move to a Non-Executive Deputy Chairman role and Group CEO Shyam Sathasivam will take over leadership of the Group. Govindasamy will continue in an advisory capacity to ensure continuity during the transition.

Sunshine Holdings PLC (SUN) said Vish Govindasamy will step down from his executive role to become Non-Executive Deputy Chairman while Group CEO Shyam Sathasivam succeeds him to lead the Group. Govindasamy will continue to support the Group in an advisory capacity and Sathasivam, CEO since 2024, will lead the next growth phase.

ASPI fell 67 points (0.4%) on low turnover of Rs.1.65bn; HNB was the largest negative contributor after its ex-dividend date, while SAMP, RICH, HAYL, HHL and SUN were top positive contributors and banks led turnover.

Fitch assigned a 'AAA(lka)' National Long-Term Rating to Hayleys PLC's proposed senior unsecured redeemable debentures of up to LKR7 billion. Fitch said the rating aligns with Hayleys' national rating, noted proceeds will repay short-term debt, and forecast ~10% revenue growth in FY25.

The ASPI fell about 211 points (1.35%) as the CSE opened lower on a selling spree with turnover of Rs.1.27 billion. Banking counters led the decline while capital goods and food & beverage drove turnover; major laggards included MELS, NDB and SAMP.

ASPI rose 0.1% yesterday but is down 3.8% so far in March; turnover fell to Rs. 792.5m, led by Food, Beverage & Tobacco (28%), Banking (20%) and Capital Goods (18%). Agarapatana, Hayleys, Hemas and Sampath were among gainers while Bukit Darah, C T Holdings, Access Engineering and NDB were notable laggards.

Sunshine Holdings' CSR arm, Sunshine Foundation for Good, inaugurated its 21st RO water treatment plant at Nakwatthagama, supplying safe drinking water to over 2,500 people. The plant is part of the Diyasarana initiative aimed at improving community health and reducing waterborne diseases including CKDu.

Colombo market fell for a second day as the ASPI dropped 1.2% to 16,859 (≈215 pts) with turnover of Rs.2.9bn and a Rs.381mn foreign outflow; the Banking sector led the decline with HNB, Sampath Bank and NDB among the top negative contributors.