News & market updates

The Disaster Management Centre reports 998,918 people across 25 districts have been affected by severe weather linked to Cyclone Ditwah, with 51,228 families (180,499 people) sheltered in 1,275 safety centres as flood and landslide impacts continue.

Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Ministry said there is no shortage of essential food commodities after Cyclone Ditwah, with imports and customs clearance continuing and direct deliveries to flood-affected districts. The Ministry urged the public to avoid panic buying and warned traders against hoarding and price gouging.

Sampath Bank signed an MoU with DIMO to offer exclusive vehicle finance benefits, including a 0.5% p.a. reduction on published lease/loan rates, zero-interest short-term insurance loans and waived credit-card joining fees. DIMO will provide model-specific privileges, warranties and discounts for Mercedes-Benz and Tata vehicles.

The Government launched an official donation portal, 'Stand with Sri Lanka' (https://donate.gov.lk), to channel international and domestic contributions for Cyclone Ditwah relief, stating 100% of donations will go directly to emergency aid including food, water, medical care and shelter.

Cyclone Ditwah killed 212 people, left 218 missing and extensively damaged infrastructure and farmland across Sri Lanka. Authorities report 206 roads made impassable, 10 bridges damaged, a downed 132kV pylon and flooded farmland, leaving about 998,918 affected and 147,931 homeless with fresh-vegetable supplies to the capital disrupted.

CBSL's Apr–Sep 2025 survey shows agriculture and personal loans led the strongest month-to-month turnaround in private sector lending, shifting from net repayments in May–June to sustained positive flows (agriculture: Rs.31–35bn in Jul–Aug; personal loans: Rs.60bn in June, 26.0% share in Sept).

Colombo market slid as the ASPI fell 0.80% (182.14 pts) to 22,662.09 and turnover dropped to about Rs.2.34 billion, a near five-month low. Banking counters (SAMP, COMB, HNB) and names including RICH, Hemas, Access Engineering, ACL Cables and Diesel & Motor drove the declines and top turnover.

Sri Lanka's Embassy in Bahrain facilitated the entry of Revello chocolates by CBL Foods into the Bahraini market, with the first consignment available from early December at Lulu Hypermarket. The move is intended to strengthen trade ties and raise visibility for Sri Lankan products in Middle Eastern retail channels.

The Urban Development Authority will lease the Pettah Floating Market Complex to a Japanese investor in a $160 million deal, with an initial $16 million payment received. The investor plans a full refurbishment to revive the night-market and talks are under way on compensation for existing shop-holders.

Barista Sri Lanka opened its 75th outlet at Arcade Independence Square, Colombo 07. The milestone marks 23 years of expansion, with the chain citing job creation, barista training and contributions to tourist hubs and urban coffee culture.

Seylan Bank PLC is running a Seylan Cards Christmas campaign (18 Nov–31 Dec 2025) with weekly iPhone 17 Pro giveaways (seven winners), merchant discounts up to 50%, grocery savings up to 30% and 0% 36‑month EPP to boost card spending and partner transactions.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka held CATALYZE 2025 on 24 November, convening business leaders including John Keells, Aitken Spence, Hemas, Hayleys, DIMO and Kelani Valley Plantations to discuss digital supply chains, gender equality, climate action, water stewardship and other sustainability priorities.

SLASSCOM's AI Asia Summit 2025 in Colombo launched Xavier, Sri Lanka's first locally conceived AI-driven robotics platform and drew 400+ attendees. The summit featured policymakers and industry partners (including Starlink by Singer as Connectivity Partner) highlighting AI adoption and policy direction.

Full’r Burgers (Giga Foods) won SME Local Brand of the Year at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2025. The brand is transitioning from a cloud-kitchen into a full-scale QSR chain and is pursuing rapid expansion to become Sri Lanka’s largest burger chain.

ISSO, a Sri Lankan prawn-focused fast-casual dining chain, was named to the Forbes DGEMS 200 list for 2025. The five-outlet brand, with initial overseas presence, says it plans to expand to 100 outlets worldwide by 2030.

Colombo market closed higher for a second straight session, with the ASPI up 0.11% to 22,844.23 and the S&P SL20 up 0.20% to 6,311.30. Market turnover was over Rs.3.4bn (38% below the monthly average), foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.124.56m, policy rates were maintained and investors showed interest in hotel counters; key movers included HNB, DOCK, DIMO, AEL and PKME.

Overseas Realty (Ceylon) Plc's Havelock City Mall will host "Magical Christmas at My Happy Place" from 27 Nov–24 Dec, featuring a 5,000 sq. ft. Christmas Village, a 35-foot tree, live performances and a "Magical Fortune" shopper promotion with daily Rs.10,000, weekly Rs.100,000 and a grand iPhone 17 Pro Max prize.

Gamer.LK's Play Expo and Colombo Comic Expo return in December 2025 with Munchee Savory as Platinum partner and Coca-Cola as Title Partner, expecting over 10,000 attendees and a combined digital reach of 5 million. The expos provide experiential marketing platforms targeting Gen Z and young adults with multiple FMCG brand integrations.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 24.32 points to 22,844.23 as turnover fell to LKR 3.44 billion. Top contributors included Kerner Haus (CPRT) which jumped 124.50 rupees to 780.50 after signing a property management deal, and gains in HNB, DOCK, DIMO, AEL and PKME.

Evolution Auto opened a multi-brand electric vehicle showroom in Kurunegala in partnership with New Jayasekara Auto Motors, featuring Sri Lanka’s largest collection of EVs from global brands. The showroom offers test drives, sales and after-sales support, aiming to boost EV accessibility and local jobs.

Kumarika (Hemas Consumer Brands) ran its 'Iyarkai Azhagu' activation at Nallur Kandaswamy Temple during the Kantha Sashti Utsavam, delivering 1,000+ hair analyses, 400 jasmine makeovers, 500+ hairstyles and selling over 300 full Kumarika hair-care regimens.

Sri Lanka's cumulative exports reached US$ 14,433.82 Mn in January–October 2025, a 6.0% year-on-year increase, with coconut-based exports topping US$1.0bn for the first time. Services exports rose 4.01% to an estimated US$ 3,060.21 Mn, while apparel, tea and food & beverages also recorded gains.

ASPI fell 1.47% to 22,644.88, a five-week low, while the S&P SL20 dropped 1.33% to 6,279.71. Declines in banks and blue-chips led losses (notably HNB, RICH, NDB, SAMP and JKH); turnover was Rs.4.95bn with foreigners net buying ~Rs.83.2m and heavy activity in Hemas, DOCK and York.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded 0.77% as the ASPI rose 175.03 points to 22,819.91 and the S&P SL20 climbed 0.30%; investor interest was strong in food, beverage and tobacco names. Top contributors included Ceylinco Holdings, NDB, Melstacorp, Browns Investments and Sunshine Holdings, while turnover fell to 4.06 billion rupees.

One Galle Face will hold its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on 27 November, themed 'Enchanted Wonders', with Sampath Bank as strategic partner; the mall expects record December visitor numbers.

Arpico (Richard Pieris Distributors) held its annual Christmas Cake Preparation Ceremony at its Hyde Pak Corner store and unveiled a holiday collection and prestige Christmas hampers for customers.

Roar AdX secured 3 wins and 10 shortlisted entries at the 2025 Meta Reels Impact Awards, with Keells Supermarkets (John Keells group) and Spa Ceylon recognised in multiple categories for their reels and innovation.

Mahogany Masterpieces launched “An Ode to Grain,” a new collection of handcrafted mahogany furniture and architectural elements (architraves, wainscoting, paneling) emphasizing craft and luxury. The company exports to over 16 countries and offers turnkey ordering and shipping services.