News & market updates

The Ceylon Chamber will lead a senior corporate delegation to Mumbai for the India–Sri Lanka Business Forum on 13 May 2026, with leaders from John Keells, Aitken Spence, Hayleys, Sierra Cables and Vidullanka among participants to engage Indian investors on trade and investment opportunities.

CEAT Kelani Holdings opened a new premium Shop-in-Shop outlet at Olympic Tyre House on Havelock Road, Colombo 6, expanding its premium retail network and offering its full range of tyres and related services in a modern customer-focused setting.

Remarko Bakers and Caterers has entered a strategic partnership with Orzone Mineral Water Exports, with Orzone designated as the official mineral water partner across Remarko's franchise network.

Sri Lanka's national poverty line rose to Rs. 16,690 per person per month in March 2026, up from Rs. 16,571 in February. Colombo recorded the highest threshold at Rs. 18,000 and Monaragala the lowest at Rs. 15,958, while levels are above March 2025 across districts.

Access Motors has opened a Range Rover Boutique Residency at ITC Rathnadeepa Colombo One Workplaces in Colombo, offering a curated, personalized showroom experience featuring the latest Range Rover models and bespoke configuration consultations.

ASPI rose 258.09 points (+1.13%) on 7 Jul as CSE turnover reached ~Rs.5.28 B; Industrial Asphalt jumped 40%, SMB Finance gained (non‑voting +33.33%, voting +25%), while Palm Garden Hotels fell 7.08% and foreign net outflow was Rs.22.32 M.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 1.13% as the ASPI rose 258.09 points to 22,997 with turnover of Rs 5.28 billion and materials leading turnover (Rs 1.38bn). SMB Finance announced CEO Supul Chamikara Wijesinghe will resign effective June 3.

Colombo bourse rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.69% (155.47 pts) to 22,739.77 after Middle East developments pushed oil below $100, with turnover over Rs. 4.1bn and net foreign inflow of Rs. 62.4m. JKH, MELS and RIL were among top positive contributors while LIOC fell and REEF gained.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 0.69% to 22,739 and S&P SL20 gained 0.51% to 6,245, with John Keells, Melstacorp and Hayleys among top positive contributors and DFCC, Lion Brewery and CDB leading declines; market turnover was Rs.4.13bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.72% (162.12 pts) to 22,746 and the S&P SL20 was up 0.51% to 6,244, with turnover of 2 billion rupees. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp and Lanka Realty while DFCC and Carson Cumberbatch lagged; Equity Two declared a 4.41 rupee dividend.

Sri Lanka Customs collected 236.5 billion rupees in April, 30.5% above its April target, and 919.3 billion rupees in the first four months, 33.7% above the cumulative target; first-four-month revenue jumped about 50% year-on-year.

CSE All Share Index fell 0.49% (110.70 pts) to 22,584 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.31% to 6,225 as brokers said Middle East escalation spurred retail selling. Bank counters saw selling, turnover was Rs 2.15bn with crossings in JKH, COMB, LLUB and LFIN, and Colombo Dockyard narrowed its quarterly loss to Rs 428.1m.

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC's Engine Care unit has been redesigned and expanded into a state‑of‑the‑art, customer‑centric engineering facility offering advanced engine overhauling, machining and diagnostics to improve speed, accuracy and turnaround. The facility uses high‑precision European machinery, NVQ Level 4+ technicians and holds ISO and AERA registrations.

The Government's VAT (Amendment) Bill would, from July 1, lower the VAT registration threshold to Rs.36 million, widen the VAT net to include digital services and raise VAT on financial services from 18% to 20.5%. The Bill also mandates IRD‑approved secure POS reporting and increases fines and potential jail for serious offences.

Daraz Sri Lanka launched its 5.5 Best Price Sale (4 May 8 PM–9 May), offering up to 65% off, Rs. 50 million in vouchers, free delivery and partner discounts including 20% offers from Commercial Bank and Nations Trust Bank.

ASPI rose 0.65% (145.47 pts) to 22,695.00 while the S&P SL20 gained 0.6% to 6,244.64. Market turnover exceeded Rs. 4.8bn with Ceylon Tobacco Company dominating turnover (Rs. 2.4bn) even as foreign investors were net sellers, extending YTD foreign outflows to Rs. 27.6bn.

First Capital says listed plantation firms AGAL, KGAL, KOTA and HOPL are well positioned to benefit from rising rubber prices as rubber makes up about 15%+ of their revenue. Dipped Products and exporters may also gain from higher rubber prices and rupee depreciation, while Kelani Tyres could face margin pressure.

Sri Lanka has seen four fuel price hikes in five weeks, the latest effective May 3 under a cost-reflective formula tied to higher global crude, driving a sharp rise in inflation and living costs. The CPI jump leaves the Central Bank weighing rate hikes against rupee depreciation risks.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as ASPI gained 145.47 pts to 22,695 and turnover hit Rs. 4.8bn, led by a Rs. 2.38bn crossing in Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) of 1,341,170 shares at Rs. 1,780 between a foreign seller and a local buyer.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher Monday with the ASPI up 0.65% at 22,695.00 and turnover of 4.81 billion rupees, driven by buying in banking counters. Top contributors included NDB, Dialog, Melstacorp and Colombo Dockyard, while Ceylinco Insurance and Windforce were among decliners.

KPMG Sri Lanka Academy will host a webinar on 5 May to explain recent tax reforms — including the Social Security Contribution Levy Act, the VAT (Amendment) Bill, expanded withholding taxes and higher capital gains tax — and their compliance implications for businesses and individuals.

Sri Lanka's Consumer Sentiment Index fell 16 points in March to 70, the lowest since June 2024 and the steepest monthly drop since Jan 2021. The decline reflects rising cost of living, energy and fuel concerns, heatwave risks to utilities, and trade-union action including a GMOA strike.

Colombo posted its biggest monthly gain since July 2025, with the ASPI up 7% and the S&P SL20 up 5.1% in April, with average daily turnover of Rs.3.66bn. Yesterday the indices fell (ASPI -0.38% to 22,550) on losses in John Keells, Sampath and Commercial Bank amid net foreign outflows of Rs.75mn.

Sri Lanka's CCPI inflation rose to 5.4% in April 2026, up from 2.2% in March, after a roughly 35% government fuel price increase; the rise may prompt the Central Bank to tighten monetary policy sooner than expected.

Sri Lanka's headline inflation accelerated to 5.4% year‑on‑year in April 2026, up from 2.2% in March, driven mainly by higher transport (petrol +Rs.91.18/l, diesel +Rs.88.82/l) and utility costs (12.5kg LP gas +Rs.595.81; electricity). Food inflation also rose to 2.7%, supporting the Central Bank's projection but keeping monetary policy risks elevated.

One Galle Face has opened South Asia’s first Wilson flagship store at its Colombo mall, offering premium racket-sports and basketball products and an immersive brand experience to serve growing local interest in sports.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower with the ASPI down 0.38% to 22,549.53 and market turnover at 3.44 billion rupees; capital goods led turnover (984.6 million). Lion Brewery and Watawala Plantations were top positive contributors while Dialog Axiata, John Keells and Commercial Bank were top negatives; Brent rose above $113.

Singer Sri Lanka PLC has launched the new Apple MacBook Neo Series in Sri Lanka, priced from Rs. 289,999. The laptops are available at Singer showrooms and online with convenient payment options.