News & market updates

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (Elephant House) celebrated 160 years in January 2026, highlighting continued focus on innovation, sustainability, portfolio expansion and digitalisation under the John Keells Group.

CT Land Development PLC appointed Chulantha Wickramaratne, former Auditor General (2019–2025), as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Wickramaratne has also held independent directorships at CT Holdings PLC and Cargills (Ceylon) PLC.

Colombo market recovered as the ASPI rose 0.22% (52.82 pts) to 23,734.50, driven by high-net-worth crossings that made up 49.4% of turnover (COMB contributed Rs.3.2bn); market turnover was Rs.8.24bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.1.3bn.

A Gazette amendment permits women over 18 to be employed as janitorial and food service attendants between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., expanding night‑work categories; the Labour Ministry requires employers to provide accommodation, transport, health and safety and welfare measures where needed.

Luce Beauty Salon has opened on Galle Road, Colombo 3, introducing an Italian-inspired luxury beauty destination offering hair, nail, facial, massage services and premium international products.

Daraz Sri Lanka is running a 'Fabulous Feb – 2 Good 2 Miss!' 2.2 campaign from Feb 1 (8:00 PM) to Feb 6 with deals up to 85% off, Rs.50 million in vouchers, free delivery, Golden Rush Hour discounts and bank partner payment offers. The campaign also promotes ongoing Everyday Low Price pricing for essentials.

DIMO.N0000 completed the design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 630-fixture LED floodlighting system across six high-mast towers at the Singhalese Sports Club, enabling SSC to host international day–night matches ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The system meets ICC illumination standards, supports HD/4K/8K broadcasts and uses DMX centralised controls.

Sri Lanka's vehicle imports reached USD 2.047 billion in 2025, with December imports of USD 301 million and personal vehicles costing USD 1.6 billion, the Central Bank reported.

The Colombo market ended lower with the ASPI down 0.37% (88.58 pts) to 23,812.31 amid profit-taking, elevated turnover and net foreign outflows (week net outflow > Rs.2.36bn); daily turnover was about Rs.9.2bn and foreign investors were net sellers (Rs.1.7bn yesterday).

Colombo CCPI rose to 2.3% year-on-year in January 2026 (from 2.1% in December 2025); food inflation increased to 3.3% while non-food inflation remained at 1.8%.

IPS research finds about 70% of green-labelled and 50% of amber-labelled SSBs in Sri Lanka contain non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) and recommends updating SSB policies—including FOPL warnings and extending SSB taxes—to cover NSS and close reformulation loopholes.

Colombo market fell as the ASPI dropped 0.38% (91.22 pts) to 23,900.89 with turnover over Rs.6.9bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.20.9m. Top negatives included Senkadagala Finance, Ceylon Tobacco, John Keells, Carson Cumberbatch and C T Holdings while Prime Lands Residencies gained.

Singer (SINS.N0000) hosted En Vogue 2026, a runway show featuring collections by 34 Diploma students, seven Advanced Diploma students and sarees by 20 students. The event highlighted the Singer Fashion Academy’s role in professional fashion education across its 52 locations and its investment in skills development.

John Keells Holdings (JKH) reported 3Q EBITDA of Rs. 23.76 billion, up 68%, and declared a second interim dividend of Rs. 0.10 (Rs. 1.77 billion outlay). Group revenue rose 54% to Rs. 125.05 billion and PBT increased 113% to Rs. 12.89 billion.

John Keells Holdings reported Group EBITDA up 68% year-on-year to Rs.23.76 billion in Q3. Nine-month EBITDA rose 84% to Rs.55.10 billion, profit attributable was Rs.6.48 billion, City of Dreams and the Colombo West terminal are ramping up, and a second interim dividend of Rs.0.10/share was declared.

Samsung Sri Lanka was awarded Superbrands Sri Lanka’s Choice 2025, highlighting strong consumer trust and brand leadership; the article notes Samsung’s island-wide distributor network includes Singer and Softlogic, and emphasizes its SmartThings ecosystem and payment-plan partnerships.

The ASPI closed at 23,992.11, up 0.13% (31.95 pts) after hitting an intraday high of 24,068.22, with turnover over Rs.6.9bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.480.2m. Capital goods led turnover (Rs.1.91bn) with John Keells and ACL Cables among top contributors while market breadth remained weak.

Dividend · Rs 40.00 · XD Feb 9, 2026

Final dividend of LKR 40/share; XD 2026-02-09; record 2026-02-09; payable 2026-02-26; FY 2025

The Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry issued a circular expanding relief for Cyclone Ditwah‑hit micro and small businesses, providing one‑time grants (Rs.200,000 for registered small businesses; Rs.50,000 for unregistered home units; Rs.25,000 for mobile hawkers; building grants up to Rs.5 million) and concessional loans of Rs.250,000–25 million at 3%–5% with grace periods for recovery and reconstruction.

Tess Agro PLC's board resolved to issue 2.5 million unsecured debentures at Rs.100 each to raise Rs.250m (6% p.a., five-year tenure) and 100 million warrants exercisable at Rs.2.20 per share. Proceeds will be used to repay borrowings and fund working capital and capex; warrants could raise up to Rs.220m if exercised, subject to shareholder and CSE approvals.

John Keells Holdings, Hemas Holdings and JAT Holdings outlined growth strategies at First Capital's investor symposium; JKH highlighted City of Dreams and West Container Terminal Phase One at ~90% utilisation. Hemas sees consumers shifting back to branded quality and demographic-led convenience growth, while JAT targets post-cyclone reconstruction and manufacturing expansion.

India and the EU agreed a free-trade deal creating a two-billion-person free-trade zone covering about 25% of global GDP, with tariffs on 96.6% of EU goods to India to be eliminated or reduced. The pact aims to boost sectors including machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cars and consumer foods and is expected to double EU exports to India by 2032.

The India Cup 2026 golf tournament was held at the Royal Colombo Golf Club on 23 January 2026 with a record number of participants. Event sponsors included Lanka Ashok Leyland, Lanka IOC, Carson Cumberbatch and Tal Lanka Hotels.

ASPI ended marginally up at 23,960.16 (+0.03%) on turnover of over Rs.5.2bn. Capital goods led turnover (31%) driven by Colombo Dockyard and John Keells, while diversified financials and banks contributed 21% and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.128.2m.

Sri Lanka will host its largest-ever 510 sqm country pavilion at Gulfood 2026, with 61 exporters participating to showcase food and beverage products, including Cargills, Elpitiya Plantations, Ceylon Cold Stores and Renuka Agri Foods.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka 2026 will take place 7–11 October 2026 at Cinnamon Life in Colombo; the event is presented by AOD and powered by DIMO, the authorised Mercedes‑Benz agent in Sri Lanka. The five-day showcase aims to connect South Asian designers with global fashion networks.

Abans launched the second phase of the Lenovo Premium Club and honoured top showroom managers at an event on 22 January 2026, recognising high-performing showrooms and promoting Lenovo products across its 350+ showrooms nationwide.