Sri Lanka's plantation sector is mobilising climate-resilience measures during an El Niño-linked dry spell as the government sets aside Rs.4.8 billion for relief and raises daily water allocations to 15 litres. Estate firms such as Udapussellawa, Browns (Browns Investments), Kelani Valley and Horana are adopting water-conservation, agroforestry, drought-tolerant practices and solar installations.
Hapugastenne Plantations PLC (HAPU.N0000) and Udapussellawa Plantations PLC (UDPL.N0000) have appointed Kanthimany Sivanesan as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Sivanesan is a senior tax practitioner (Senior Partner & Head of Tax at Amerasekera & Co.) and already serves on boards including LOLC Holdings, Browns Investments and Agstar.
Browns Plantations has commissioned an expanded orthodox tea facility at Kitumbe, Kenya with 3 million kg annual capacity and aims for 25 million kg in East Africa within 18 months. The move targets higher‑value orthodox exports and expands the company's specialty tea footprint.
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.
Brown & Company PLC reported FY25 consolidated revenue of Rs. 107.82 billion and PBT of Rs. 25.88 billion, with total assets of Rs. 752.69 billion. The Group completed major East Africa Lipton plantation acquisitions, took controlling stakes in Sierra Cables and Tea Smallholder Factories, and saw strong results across its plantations and hospitality units.