A market brief each morning, plus company filings and news from across Sri Lanka's stock market. Filter by company, sector and theme, and use sentiment badges to quickly identify Positive or Negative news.
Consumer retail faced pressure from accelerating food, transport and housing inflation, with petrol a major contributor to the rise in national prices and purchasing power weakened by higher energy costs and tax hikes. Wholesale and retail activity nevertheless helped drive faster services-sector expansion in August. Specialist retail also consolidated as Blink International acquired Wrist Lab, combining retail, distribution and after-sales networks.
Auto-generated from 8 sector news articles over 14 days. Not investment advice.
The LMD-PepperCube Business Confidence Index rose 13 points to 162 in September (from 149). The report also notes official foreign reserves climbed to US$6.9bn and the Central Bank absorbed US$579m from the domestic FX market, while Brent crude neared US$110.
Blink International has acquired Wrist Lab to create a scalable multi-brand watch retail platform in Sri Lanka, combining Wrist Lab's retail footprint with Blink's distribution and after-sales network. Blink will focus on brand building and distribution (Casio, G-Shock, Edifice) while Wrist Lab serves as the consumer-facing retail destination.
Keells marks 35 years, surpassing 150 stores and 2.9 million Nexus members; the Keells supermarket business highlights direct sourcing from over 4,000 farmers, a workforce of 6,500+ and multiple community and employee programs.
Samsung Sri Lanka launched a new Mini LED TV range on 24 Sep 2026, including the 75" UA75M70HARXSG (MOP LKR 649,999) and 85" UA85M70HARXSG (MOP LKR 839,999), featuring Vision AI, NQ4 AI Gen2 processing, Mini LED and gaming features. The lineup will be sold via authorised retail partners including Singer Sri Lanka with selected promotions and EMI/payment options.
An IPS study finds Sri Lanka's agrifood sector contributes 24.5% of GDP and 42.0% of employment and identifies six high-potential export clusters (cinnamon, spices, coconut, fruit & vegetable processing, seafood, tea). It reports food & beverage manufacturing generates USD 1.85 of output per USD 1 of final demand (vs USD 1.20 for primary agriculture) and recommends boosting high-value, export-oriented agribusiness while addressing tariff, policy and R&D constraints.
GS1 Lanka used its AGM to drive Sri Lanka's transition to 2D barcodes (QR/Data Matrix) under the global GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative, urging brands, retailers and healthcare providers to prepare and launching a new retail information platform. GS1 Lanka reports 5,500+ members and over 20,000 product records on its platforms.
Ajai Vir Singh, founder and MD of Colombo Fashion Week, will participate in the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow (Sept 28-30), and Colombo Fashion Week has arranged for Sri Lankan designer Kamil Hewawitharna to showcase at Moscow Fashion Week. The summit is positioned to help Sri Lankan fashion diversify export channels and build industry connections.
GS1 Lanka is driving Sri Lanka's shift from 1D barcodes to 2D barcodes (GS1 QR/Data Matrix) under its Sunrise 2027 initiative, working with retail and healthcare and launching a new retail information platform; over 5,500 members and 20,000 product records are registered.
The Colombo International Book Fair runs Sept 25-Oct 4 at BMICH. This guide offers BookTok-driven tips for fair-goers: pre-book tickets, arrive early to scout stalls, set a realistic budget, compare prices across sellers, check the second-hand section, and bring phone/power bank and a tote.
Blink International has acquired Wristlab to create a scalable multi-brand watch retail platform in Sri Lanka, combining Blink's distribution network and after-sales infrastructure with Wristlab's retail presence to expand international brand offerings and enhance the consumer experience.
National inflation (NCPI) accelerated to 8.1% YoY in August 2026, up from 7.2% in July, with the index at 223.9 (MoM +0.26%). The rise was led by non-food items-notably Transport (petrol contributed 1.14 percentage points) and Housing-while food inflation also jumped, driven by fresh and dried fish, green chillies and onions.
CIF, an international multi-surface cleaning brand, has launched in Sri Lanka and is now available at Cargills, Keells, Glomark and Celeste and online via Daraz and uStore, priced at Rs. 900 for 500ml.
Quantum Fitness founder Nomal Wijeyaratne says that despite 28 years of growth in gyms, studios and home fitness, Sri Lanka recorded 31.01% physical inactivity in 2021; he urges the fitness industry to shift from selling workouts to enabling sustainable, inclusive movement.
The Export Development Board organised Sri Lanka's first national pavilion at Fine Food Australia 2026 (31 Aug-3 Sep), a 90 sqm exhibit that brought 12 Sri Lankan food and beverage exporters to showcase tea, spices, coconut products, seafood and processed foods to Australian buyers to boost exports and market access.
The ASPI fell 0.52% (109.98 pts) to 21,023.43, hitting a 23-week low as selling driven by concerns over rising interest rates and sustained crude above $100 pressured the market. Top drags included Melstacorp, Dialog, Hayleys, Ceylon Beverage and RIL while foreigners were net sellers of ~Rs.213m; turnover ~Rs.1.3bn.
Dongcheng has launched a hand tools range in Sri Lanka through local distributor Deen Brothers Imports (DBL), unveiled at the Constructor 2026 exhibition in Colombo. The range targets construction, hardware and professional trades and broadens DBL's product offering across its islandwide dealer network (over 500 dealers).
Central Bank's Purchasing Managers Index for Sri Lanka's services sector rose to 65.6 in August 2026 from 61.4 in July, signalling faster expansion led by transportation, wholesale & retail trade and professional services; employment and new-business measures also increased.
Rivon Agriglobe and Rivon Lanka launched the ZETOR HORTUS 50 and Agriglobe 50 tractors, the Z-Tukoba power tiller and a range of Rover electric motorcycles at a dealer event in Dambulla on the 4th, attended by over 120 dealers, marking their entry into Sri Lanka's agricultural machinery and e-mobility market.
The Body Shop has relaunched its Spa of the World collection in Sri Lanka, offering spa-quality bodycare products. The range is sold at the Bagatale Road flagship, outlets including Odel, Alexandra Place, and online with island-wide delivery.
The Export Development Board organised Sri Lanka’s first national pavilion at Fine Food Australia 2026 (31 Aug-3 Sep), a 90 sqm pavilion that brought together 12 Sri Lankan food and beverage exporters to showcase tea, cinnamon, coconut products, processed foods and seafood to Australian and international buyers.
SAJ Associates is expanding its product range to 30 items through the growing Lakarcade retail network, including a new souvenir shop at a Colombo hotel to target rising tourist arrivals. The expansion aims to boost product availability for tourists and supports over 500 female farmers supplying specialised ingredients.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board, with the Sri Lanka High Commission in the Maldives and private partners, ran a Sri Lanka Country Pavilion at Food and Hospitality Asia Maldives (FHAM) 7-9 Sept, showcasing 10 SMEs under 'Creative Sri Lanka 2030' to promote giftware and lifestyle exports to the Maldivian hospitality market. The initiative targets resort buyers with high-value niche products such as home décor, spa items and artisanal souvenirs.
Sri Lanka Customs collected Rs 2 trillion through Sept. 15-over 90% of its Rs 2,207 billion 2026 target-and is on track to exceed the full-year target. Officials say stronger enforcement, improved valuation and a rebound in import volumes have driven the rise in collections.
Sri Lanka's real GDP growth slowed to 4.2% in Q2 2026 (y/y), down from 5.0% in Q2 2025, as the economy was hit by higher energy costs from Middle East tensions, weakened purchasing power after tax hikes, adverse weather and a sharp drop in agricultural output, with tourism also subdued.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said the Manufacturing PMI was 53 in August (down from 55.6 in July) while the Services PMI rose to 65.6, showing expansion in both sectors. Manufacturing moderation was led by textiles and apparel, services growth was driven by transport, wholesale & retail and professional services; employment rose and suppliers' delivery times lengthened, with the outlook supported by expected higher tourist arrivals.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.58% to 21,139.31, with market turnover at 1.63 billion rupees. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover at 782.3 million rupees; notable movers included Namunukula, Pan Asia Bank and Ceylon Cold Stores (up) and John Keells, Melstacorp, RIL Property and Cargills (down); Hunas Holdings entered a partnership with Tokyo-based CCH Inc for its real estate and hospitality businesses effective Sept 14.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower, with the ASPI down 0.24% (51.79 pts) at 21,262.13 on Rs2.23 billion turnover. SMB Finance, Watawala, Sampath Bank and Lion Brewery were top positive contributors while Dialog, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank led declines; a mandatory offer for Industrial Asphalts fell through after the SEC refused a share transfer due to the company being on the CSE watchlist.
IFH KÖLN and Messe Frankfurt's Global Consumer Goods Industry Index (second survey) shows the global business climate remains subdued at 100.4 (vs 100.1 in the first wave) while pressures have shifted to geopolitical uncertainty, rising production/procurement costs and tariffs. Manufacturing respondents citing global uncertainty rose to 84% (from 52%).
Chance Fashion opened a new high-tech manufacturing facility, showroom and factory outlet in Moratuwa, consolidating its manufacturing, showroom and retail operations at one site. The move is intended to strengthen manufacturing capacity and support expansion across retail, online and wholesale channels.
GS1 Lanka is leading Sri Lanka’s shift to 2D barcodes under the global Sunrise 2027 initiative, with more than 5,500 member companies registered and over 20,000 product records uploaded. It is working with retail and healthcare firms and will introduce a new retail information platform to support the transition.