News & market updates

Sri Lanka's National Consumer Price Index inflation fell to 2.4% in January 2026 from 2.9% in December 2025. Food inflation eased to 3.4% (from 4.4%) while non-food inflation remained unchanged at 1.6%.

Melstacorp PLC sold 2 million shares (0.04% stake) of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC on 19 Feb at Rs.59.50/share, raising Rs.119 million and reducing its holding to 92.40%. Distilleries closed at Rs.59 (-0.30) and Melstacorp at Rs.181.25 (-1.75); Melstacorp assets/share Rs.131.99 and DCSL net assets Rs.4.14 (end-Dec 2025).

Coca-Cola, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Official Beverage Partner, has released a new advertisement celebrating Sri Lankan cricket fans and positioning Coke as the refreshment of choice during matches following Sri Lanka's win over Australia.

Solo Bowl opened its first dine-in outlet at No. 765, Kotte Road, Etul Kotte, Colombo on 18 February, expanding the brand from delivery into a dine-in fast-casual format. The launch, attended by Giga Foods chairman Ajit Gunewardene and board directors, targets busy urban professionals with the brand's signature bowl menu.

Daraz Sri Lanka held a February workshop with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority to raise regulatory awareness for online sales of medicines, medical devices, borderline products and cosmetics, aiming to improve seller guidance, compliance practices and consumer trust.

American Premium Water launched a Loyalty Programme and mobile app on 16 February 2026, offering quarterly rewards and waiving the monthly bill for users who use the app for more than two months. The app provides hydration tracking, consumption monitoring, real-time delivery updates and payment management.

McLarens Group opened the Mobil–3M Experience Center at 347, Union Place, Colombo 02, a renovated showroom showcasing Mobil, 3M, Meguiar’s and Lockheed. The immersive space features a Formula racing simulator and interactive displays demonstrating product technology and performance.

The SEC and SLAASMB signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize cooperation on oversight of financial reporting and auditing for SEC‑licensed entities, including listed companies, establishing information‑sharing, referrals and joint awareness initiatives.

President Trump imposed a new 10% tariff on most U.S. imports for 150 days after the Supreme Court ruled he lacked unilateral authority to set broad tariffs. The Court also struck down earlier tariffs, putting about $175bn collected into question and raising global trade uncertainty.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka launched a two-day digital payments awareness campaign in Kurunegala as part of its nationwide 2025 promotion to onboard businesses and the public to LankaQR, mobile payments and online banking. Participating institutions include licensed banks, finance companies, mobile e-money operators and LankaPay to facilitate onboarding.

Dividend · Rs 1.00 · XD Mar 4, 2026

Second Interim dividend of LKR 1/share; XD 2026-03-04; record 2026-03-04; payable 2026-03-20; FY 2025/2026

Asian stocks slipped and oil climbed as a U.S. military buildup around Iran pushed Brent crude above $72/bl; the dollar posted its biggest weekly gain in four months after mixed U.S. data and Fed minutes.

The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association urged urgent reform of vehicle import valuation and processes, criticizing an automatic 15% CIF reduction for 'used' imports that it says distorts competition and erodes state duty revenue. It also called for tighter oversight of VAT-free trade-ins, elimination of arbitrary depreciation allowances, and uniform valuation rules.

Ministry of Brands, backed by Akbar Brothers, opened a 10,000 sq. ft. flagship off-price store in Colombo on 15 Feb 2026 offering over 2,000 international brands at discounts up to 90%; a second outlet at One Galle Face Mall is scheduled for March 2026.

Hayleys PLC won the Gold Award for Overall Excellence in Corporate Reporting at CA Sri Lanka's TAGS Awards 2025 for the fourth consecutive year, with the Group securing 21 awards including 14 Golds. Several listed firms on the shortlist also won sector awards, including Haycarb, Kelani Valley, Singer, Dipped Products, Alumex, Talawakelle, Horana and Kingsbury.

BeWAXed, a Sri Lankan women-led waxing salon chain, marks its 13th anniversary and has expanded to Colombo, Kandy, City of Dreams, the Maldives and five franchise outlets in Tamil Nadu, India. The brand has introduced a digital booking platform, curated skin-care products and training/employment for women.

Central Bank of Sri Lanka will run a digital payments promotion in Kurunegala on 20–21 Feb 2026 to raise awareness and onboard businesses as LANKAQR merchants. Licensed banks, finance companies, mobile e-money operators and LankaPay will participate to assist public registration for mobile payments and online banking.

Colombo bourse dipped as the ASPI fell 0.21% to 23,870.07 despite net foreign inflows of Rs.37 million after 22 days of outflows. Capital goods led turnover; John Keells and Hayleys rose while Sampath, Colombo Dockyard, Dialog, DFCC and Commercial Bank were among the negative contributors.

EDB, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority held a webinar on Saudi export registration procedures for over 90 Sri Lankan exporters; Saudi was the 23rd export destination at $137.85m in 2025 (+13.3% vs 2024). The session covered registration, facility approval, inspection and clearance processes for poultry, fisheries, processed foods, frozen produce, beverages and herbal products and included a technical Q&A with SFDA officials.

The Ceylon Motor Traders Association has urged authorities to end the automatic 15% CIF value reduction for 'used' vehicle imports and to adopt a uniform valuation regime to stop revenue loss and market distortion. It also flagged VAT-free trade-ins and under-declaration as major sources of tax leakage.

Tess Agro PLC commissioned a 380 kWp rooftop Solar PV project at its Kerawalapitiya warehouse, connected to the national grid on 15 Jan 2026 after a Rs. 60 million investment. The installation raises the company's total Solar PV capacity to 460 kWp and aims to cut energy costs and emissions.

George Steuart & Co. sold a 17.99% stake in HVA Foods PLC, disposing 44 million shares for Rs. 189.7 million at Rs. 4.30–4.60 per share. As of end-December 2025 George Steuart held a 72.39% stake before the sale; HVA reported net liabilities of Rs.0.26 per share and the stock closed at Rs.4.40.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board ran a Market Exposure and Capacity Building Programme alongside BIOFACH 2026 (9–14 Feb 2026) to prepare Sri Lankan SMEs in spices, coconut, dehydrated fruits and coffee for EU market access; activities included workshops, certification guidance, factory and supermarket visits and B2B matchmaking with EU importers.

Toyota Lanka Group has combined its Toyota SURE and Toyotsu Auto RUSH offerings into unified certified mobility showrooms in Ratmalana and Kandy, expanding its certified JDM and multi-brand vehicle sales and after-sales reach. Each facility provides pre-delivery inspections, warranty/recall support and comprehensive after-sales services to improve customer convenience.

Dividend · Rs 28.00 · XD Feb 27, 2026

Fourth Interim dividend of LKR 28/share; XD 2026-02-27; record 2026-03-02; payable 2026-03-19; FY ended 31st December 2025

The Export Development Board will host the Southern Province Regional Exporters’ Networking Forum in Matara on 24 Feb 2026 to identify exporters' challenges and explore growth opportunities. Exporters and officials from Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Monaragala will attend; Minister Sunil Hadunnetti will preside and EDB is collecting region-specific proposals.

David Pieris Motor Company relaunched KTM motorcycles in Sri Lanka after a five-year hiatus, unveiling the Duke 160, Duke 250 and Adventure 390 X and announcing plans to expand showroom and service networks across the island, including the Northern and Eastern provinces.