News & market updates

Sri Lanka will launch the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 on 16 June, aiming to lift export revenues to $36 billion by 2030. The EDB, with ADB support, outlines two pillars and eight priority sectors including Auto Components, Minerals, Rubber, Marine, Spices, Digital Products, Electrical & Electronic Components, and Processed Food.

Food Studio has opened a five-brand line-up (Primo, Hotel Manoli, Bamboo Boy, Wide Eyes, Kimono) at Colombo City Centre’s Dining Gallery to expand its dining portfolio and support CCC as a retail and visitor destination. The launch aims to diversify offerings and build scalable F&B concepts.

Sri Lanka will launch the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 in Colombo on 16 June 2026, targeting USD 36 billion in export revenues by 2030. The plan sets two pillars (Horizontals and Verticals) and names eight priority sectors including Digital Products, Electrical & Electronic Components, Auto Components, Rubber, Minerals, Marine, Spices, and Processed Food & Beverages.

An analysis by Verité/PublicFinance.lk estimates the Government is foregoing about Rs. 17.3 billion a year by not keeping cigarette taxes at WHO-recommended levels. The report says the effective tax share fell to 66.8% in 2026 from 74% in 2018, below the 75% benchmark.

LAUGFS Supermarkets opened a Bing Chun outlet (No.79) at its Pepiliyana supermarket through a franchise partnership — the first collaboration between Bing Chun and a supermarket chain in Sri Lanka, adding in-store beverage and dessert offerings to enhance the shopping experience.

ASPI fell 0.4% (85.70 pts) to 21,461.47 as selling pressure reversed early gains; turnover was below Rs.1.7bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.55.9m. Major negative contributors were C T Holdings, Melstacorp, Ambeon, Access Engineering and Central Finance, while John Keells, Chevron Lubricants and Commercial Bank were top turnover names.

KOKO has joined Mastercard's 'Tap for Change' campaign to channel contactless and KOKO-powered e-commerce transactions into fundraising for the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital. The partnership aims to boost contactless payment adoption and let consumers contribute to cancer care via everyday purchases.

The Ceylon Motor Traders' Association warns the 15% depreciation on used vehicle imports led to ~Rs.40 billion in lost government revenue in 2025 and could cause a similar Rs.40bn leakage in 2026, urging immediate removal and a structured age-based depreciation capped at 10%.

Colombo Stock Exchange trended up intraday, with the ASPI +0.26% (55.89 pts) to 21,603.06 and the S&P SL20 +0.16% (9.59 pts) to 6,010.27; market turnover was LKR 511.7m, led by capital goods (LKR 32.3m). Top positive contributors included Melstacorp, Hayleys, John Keells and Lanka IOC; Commercial Bank, Malwatte Valley Plantations and Ceylon Cold Stores were top negatives.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.67% to 21,547.17 with net foreign inflows of Rs. 22.6 million. Gains were led by selected blue-chip counters and heavy turnover in capital goods and food & beverage names, with notable moves in DIAL, BREW, CCS, ABAN and JKH.

Lassana.com opened a new flower and gifting boutique at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, offering in-hotel collection and multichannel ordering. The outlet will showcase floral and wedding services and provide free Colombo 1–4 delivery using electric vehicles.

ASPI fell 1.57% (340.85 pts) to 21,403.28 as the CSE opened in the red amid rising interest rates and Middle East tensions. Turnover was over Rs.2.6bn with foreign net outflows of Rs.54.1m; Melstacorp, Bukit Darah, Sampath and LOLC were key negatives while John Keells and ACL led turnover and HNB rose.

Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO) facilitated delivery of 134 TATA Xenon Yodha cabs to the Sri Lanka Police, donated by the Government of India and deployed across the Northern Province. The vehicles were customized for police use and are expected to improve mobility, access to remote terrain and operational efficiency.

The IRD has begun Phase II of Sri Lanka's Digital Invoicing System, expanding the platform to VAT-registered businesses after Phase I onboarded more than 340 companies; technical documentation has been shared with 27 export-oriented firms and 170 manufacturers, and Phase III POS integration is planned by year-end.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI rose 0.67% to 21,547, led by gains in Dialog Axiata (up 6.80% to LKR44.00) and Sampath Bank (up 0.72% to LKR139.75). Market turnover was LKR2.16 billion, with capital goods leading turnover at LKR791.2 million.

Delmege Consumer has partnered with Daraz to offer its full range of FMCG products for online purchase and islandwide delivery, expanding its digital distribution. The move aims to boost brand visibility and customer convenience through Daraz’s e-commerce platform.

Peterson Solutions Sri Lanka opened a new corporate office at Orion City, Colombo on 5 June 2026. The move reflects local growth—the consultancy, part of Peterson and Control Union Group, says it now serves 170+ Sri Lankan clients and is expanding services in sustainability, crop consultancy and digital solutions.

Celeste has appointed veteran corporate leader Roshanie J Moraes and is transitioning to a strengthened corporate governance structure to scale its lifestyle and quick-commerce business and expand digital offerings.

The SAPLING policy dialogue to advance South Asia's food processing industry opened in Ahmedabad with ~200 participants and 16 Sri Lankan delegates, including representatives of John Keells Holdings; the event spotlights innovations such as smart cold chains, digital traceability and sustainable packaging.

US President Trump signed the 'Strengthening Customs Enforcement' Executive Order giving CBP new authorities to require detailed importer ownership/supply-chain data, tighten broker due diligence, raise bond minimums and revoke importing privileges for non-compliance.

Round Table Sri Lanka reached over 64,800 people with relief, deploying LKR 21 million in hygiene supplies and 18,000 household packs after Cyclone Ditwah caused an estimated US$4.1 billion in damage and displaced millions. The fellowship used corporate-style logistics, airlifts and distribution hubs and is moving into Phase 3 recovery to rebuild rural schools.

MO Marketplace, a Sri Lankan e-commerce app live since June 2024, combines escrow-protected payments, managed island-wide delivery and a flat 10% commission, and has 45,000 downloads with 14,000 registered users. The platform plans AI listing tools and video-led selling by mid-2026.

A 16-member Sri Lankan delegation of export-oriented food and beverage firms attended THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Thailand (24–31 May) to showcase products and pursue trade and investment opportunities. The program included a Sri Lanka pavilion, factory visits and meetings with Thai industry bodies for technical exposure and capacity building.

The Colombo ASPI fell 2.54% for the week (S&P SL20 down 2.2%), wiping about Rs. 206 billion off market capitalisation. Major negative contributors were COMB, HAYL, JKH, WIND and SPEN, with turnover near Rs. 2.98 billion.

EU supported the launch of Sri Lanka’s revised National Green Reporting System Guidelines, aligned with GRI standards and officially launched by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The voluntary framework aims to strengthen ESG reporting and transparency across manufacturing, commercial and service sectors to help firms meet global market requirements.

Colombo market fell sharply, ASPI down 1.14% (250.79 pts) to 21,760.31 and the S&P SL20 down 1.08% to 6,031.73. Foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.92.25m and higher interest rates weighed on investor sentiment.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat with the ASPI down 0.07% at 21,744; market turnover was Rs.2.98bn, led by capital goods at Rs.1.26bn. HNB Finance issued a notification on rights issue application procedures for shareholders (record date June 3) and its shares closed down 1.11% at Rs.8.90.

Pink Eagle Holdings is consolidating as a diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate, expanding globally across tea exports, logistics, food manufacturing, hospitality and digital retail. Milestones include Continental Tea/ADRA Ceylon's 10th anniversary, the Avanti freight app launch, and new food-manufacturing and retail initiatives.

Colombo stocks fell as investors shifted to fixed income after a central bank rate hike; ASPI down 1.14% to 21,760 and S&P SL20 down 1.08% to 6,031. Top negative contributors included Dialog, Commercial Bank, Melstacorp and HNB, while United Motors announced a 40-cent dividend.

Dividend · Rs 0.40 · XD Jul 1, 2026

Final dividend of LKR 0.4/share; XD 2026-07-01; record 2026-07-01; payable 2026-07-20; FY 2025/26