News & market updates

Coca-Cola is running high-energy fan activations across 14 locations in Sri Lanka for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, featuring a branded truck with a mini cricket pitch, mini parades and partnered fan parks with live match screenings.

The ASPI fell 0.07% to 23,882.82 in a volatile session with turnover of Rs.4.2bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.42.3m. Leading negative contributors were CTHR, PABC, DIMO, DFCC and RICH, while Softlogic Capital and Prime Lands led turnover.

Sri Lanka's manufacturing PMI was 56.1 and services PMI 64.5 in January 2026, indicating continued expansion in both but at a slower pace than December 2025 (60.9 and 67.9). Growth was driven by higher new orders, production and employment in manufacturing and strong wholesale/retail, accommodation and financial services activity in services.

Retail IT hosted 'Retail Industry: Technology Trends 2026' in Colombo and launched Adler ERP and face-recognition-based loyalty systems in Sri Lanka. The forum featured live demos of integrated ERP, POS and kitchen display devices and highlighted partnerships with Sumathi IT and Posiflex.

EDB, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority ran a webinar on SFDA export registration procedures for Sri Lankan exporters, attended by over 90 companies. Presentations covered registration, facility approval and inspections for foods, beverages, fisheries and herbal products; Saudi was Sri Lanka's 23rd export market in 2025 with USD 137.85m exports (+13.3%).

ASPI rose 0.80% (190.27 pts) to 23,900.11 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.38% to 6,710.33, led by strength in large-cap banking stocks. Market turnover was over Rs.5.6bn, foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.167.6m, with HNB, SAMP, COMB, DOCK and NDB among top positive contributors.

Over a dozen international franchisors attended the Sri Lanka Franchise Expo 2026, and Franglobal signed an agreement with Fat Crab (part of Don Stanley Holdings) to expand into southern India with plans for up to 25 outlets by 2028. Government and industry bodies highlighted franchising's potential to drive jobs, SME development and support recovery in urban and tourist commercial districts.

Cargills (Ceylon) PLC and C T Holdings PLC sold a combined 10.05% stake in Cargills Bank PLC (6.05% for Rs.509.3m and 4% for Rs.337.5m) with trades between Rs.8.90–9.70. The Central Bank has ordered the Cargills group to cut its voting stake in the bank to 15% by end-2029.

IFC committed $28.6 million (part of a $40 million package) to CBL Group to fund its acquisition of PT Tri Jaya Tangguh in Indonesia and expand CBL's biscuit facility in Ghana. IFC will also provide advisory support aimed at job creation and increased female participation.

TVS Lanka launched the TVS Sport 110 in Sri Lanka, claiming a 15% fuel-economy improvement and mileage of 80 km/l. The commuter bike features ET‑Fi fuel injection, synchronized braking, a five-year/76,000 km warranty and island-wide availability through TVS Lanka’s dealer network.

The Central Bank released its February 2026 Monetary Policy Report, noting inflation turned positive in August 2025 and is projected to move towards the 5% target by H2-2026 while the Bank maintained an accommodative monetary policy stance. The report warns of global headwinds and cites strengthening domestic demand and core inflation stabilising around the target.

The Vehicle Importers’ Association said a 2.5% tax on imported vehicles will take effect from 1 April 2026, raising a Rs.10m vehicle's price by about Rs.250,000. Dealers say demand remains strong, and second‑hand Japanese vehicle auctions have seen 11–15% price increases.

ASPI rose 0.24% to 23,709.84 with turnover above Rs.8.5bn and foreign investors net sold Rs.986.2m. Top positive contributors were HNB, RICH, CTEA, COMB and AEL; TKYO led materials-sector turnover (Rs.2.05bn) and JINS recorded a 7.8% price gain.

United Motors Group reported Group PAT of LKR 2.4 billion for the nine months to 31 Dec 2025, up 5,315% y/y. Group revenue rose to LKR 33.3 billion (up 323%), driven by stronger vehicle demand after the import ban lift, Perodua sales expansion and exports from Dutch Lanka Trailers.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka warned that all transactions between residents must be conducted in Sri Lankan Rupees and that it has not authorised merchants to accept or convert payments into foreign currency; breaches may incur fines up to Rs. 25 million and/or up to three years' imprisonment.

United Motors Group (UML.N0000) reported Group PAT of Rs. 2.4 billion for the nine months to 31 Dec 2025, up 5,315% y/y; company-level PAT was Rs. 1.1 billion (up 537%) and group revenue rose to Rs. 33.3 billion, driven by strong SUV, commercial vehicle and parts demand and export growth at DLT.

Enchanteur is running an islandwide Valentine’s promotion in Sri Lanka, partnering with fashion retailers to offer shoppers the chance to win clothing-store gift vouchers when they purchase its fragrances.

ASPI closed down 0.01% at 23,652.51 with turnover of LKR 4.8bn and net foreign outflow of LKR 42.7m. Banks led turnover (30%), food & beverage and capital goods together contributed 31%; top negatives were RICH, CFIN, JKH, RIL and AEL, while RAL saw net foreign buying and crossings were led by COCO, COMB and DOCK.

Dankotuwa Porcelain (DPL.N0000) was one of six Sri Lankan exhibitors at Ambiente/Christmasworld/Creativeworld Frankfurt 2026, where exhibitors reported strong international buyer interest and promising export inquiries, supporting potential growth in Sri Lankan consumer-goods exports.