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.
The Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2026 convened over 500 retail leaders at Cinnamon Life, Colombo to discuss retail growth, customer experience, digital commerce, AI, data and technology-led transformation. Keells and BYD were Platinum Sponsors, Singer was a Gold Sponsor and NDB Wealth joined as a category partner.
GS1 Lanka said at its AGM it is driving Sri Lanka's transition to 2D barcodes under the global Sunrise 2027 initiative, working with retail and healthcare to enable richer product information, traceability and product verification. It will introduce a new retail information platform and has over 5,500 member companies and 20,000 product records.
AMW Group MD Jawahar Ganesh says nearly 30,000 Nissan and Suzuki vehicles entered Sri Lanka through channels outside authorised distributors, leaving authorised dealers to serve only about 30% of the market and undermining international manufacturers' confidence to invest or expand.
The Ceylon Motor Traders' Association urged policymakers to stop an estimated Rs.40 billion 2025 revenue leakage from a blanket 15% CIF depreciation on used vehicle imports and called for a uniform duty structure and transparent valuation to ensure a level playing field across the automotive industry.
The Ceylon Motor Traders' Association urged the government to abolish the 15% vehicle depreciation rule before Budget 2027, saying the loophole could cause revenue leakage of up to Rs.120 billion in 2026. CMTA proposed an age-based interim cap (around 10%) and distributors such as DIMO warned of multi-million-rupee revenue losses per high-end vehicle.
Senaro Motor Company opened Sri Lanka's first motorcycle Premier Center in Nugegoda and unveiled the new Senaro RR250. The 100% Sri Lankan-owned assembler, with a 23-year history, says its locally assembled models have over 35% local value addition and the center offers sales, genuine parts, modifications and after-sales support.
The Colombo bourse opened marginally higher as the ASPI rose 0.01% to 21,623.66 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.13% to 6,066.55; turnover was over Rs.2.1bn and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.18.5m. Top positive contributors: HAYL, ACL, SLTL, HNB, DIAL; negatives: BREW, CARS, HAYC, JKH, CCS.
The BOI hosted the 5th Sri Lanka-Japan Business Environment Committee meeting to address operational issues faced by Japanese investors across manufacturing, consumer & health products, logistics and energy. The meeting also held the first session of a Joint Working Group on an export‑oriented industrial corridor.
Softlogic GLOMARK's 'ගෙට Better Life' campaign won Gold and Black Dragon awards at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026 and translated into business gains-active loyalty customers +21%, footfall +33% and most frequent shoppers +50%.
Sri Lanka Customs collected Rs.219.3bn in August, 15.3% above the Rs.190.3bn target, and YTD collections reached Rs.1,852.5bn (up ~25% YoY), achieving 83.9% of the Rs.2,207bn 2026 target; gains linked to stronger enforcement, valuation practices and a rebound in imports as reserves stabilise.
Labour Ministry said the reported 120th global ranking on Sri Lanka's minimum wage used 2024 data and was not an ILO report, noting the national minimum wage rose from Rs.12,500 at the start of 2024 to Rs.30,000 from January 2026, so the ranking is outdated.
The Export Development Board launched Creative Sri Lanka 2030, a three-year national programme to turn traditional crafts into export-ready Umbrella Brands; it will cluster SMEs around 10 leading brands and aims to lift creative-industry export revenue by 10% by 2028-29.
Colombo bourse edged up as the ASPI rose 0.03% to 21,325.64 on turnover of over Rs.1.2bn; banks led activity while geopolitical tensions and higher global oil prices weighed on sentiment and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.7.2m.
ProFood ProPack and AgBiz 2026 concluded at BMICH after three days (21-23 Aug), drawing nearly 30,000 visitors, about 450 stalls and international participation, and organisers say they will expand the venue for next year's edition.
Sri Lanka Customs collected 219.3 billion rupees in August, about 15.3% above the 190.3 billion target, and achieved 1,852.5 billion in the first eight months-28.5% above the cumulative target and roughly 25% higher year‑on‑year-driven by stronger enforcement, improved valuation and a rebound in imports.
The Colombo market opened the month lower as the ASPI fell 0.1% to 21,318.31, with turnover above Rs.2.3bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.612.5m. Selling late in the session hit JKH, BREW, DFCC, DIAL and MELS, while CCS and Asia Siyaka rose.
The Export Development Board launched Creative Sri Lanka 2030 to commercialise traditional crafts through 10 "Umbrella Brands" and boost global market linkages, targeting a 10% increase in creative-industry export revenue by 2028-29. The three-year programme will cluster 40-50 SMEs, develop 50 second-tier manufacturers and support participation in international fairs such as Ambiente 2027.
Sri Lanka launched its first National Food Safety Policy, creating a risk-based national framework to strengthen food safety governance, surveillance, laboratory capacity, legislation and coordination across the food chain. The policy was developed by the Ministry of Health with technical support from FAO and the EU.
CSE corporate earnings rose 10% YoY to Rs.168.3bn in 2Q (1QFY27), lifting 1H earnings 8% YoY to Rs.354.9bn, led by banks which contributed 37% of quarterly profits. Food & Beverage and Diversified Financials were the next-largest contributors; top 10 counters made about 56% of profits.
Zellers launched Sri Lanka's first White Chocolate Centre-Filled range, debuting two dessert-inspired variants: Red Velvet Cookie Cream Filled and Blueberry Cheesecake Cream Filled. The new products target younger, trend-seeking consumers with richer white chocolate shells and textured centre fillings.
The Sri Lanka Retailers' Association will hold the Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2026 on 10 September at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, bringing 500+ retail leaders, technology experts and policymakers to discuss retail growth, customer experience, AI, digital commerce and technology-led transformation.
LAUGFS Supermarkets opened its 45th outlet, a 24-hour store at No. 131, Minuwangoda Road, Ekala, Ja-Ela, expanding its islandwide retail network and offering bakery and hot-food options. The outlet is positioned to serve nearby industrial and residential areas including Niwasipura and Millennium City.
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