News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 1.96% (430.21 pts) to 22,359.85 on Monday, with the S&P SL20 up 1.93%. Top contributors included Dialog Axiata, John Keells, Commercial Bank and Hemas; Ceylon Cold Stores reported Q1 profit up 75% to Rs 3.76bn and LVL Energy Fund's rights issue was oversubscribed.

Hemas Holdings (HHL) reported record FY2025/26 results with group earnings of Rs.8.92 bn (up 10.7% YoY) and revenue of Rs.127.4 bn (up 8%). The group has earmarked over $100m for investments over the next four years and expects an FY27 acquisition to raise international revenue to 10% from 3%.

Hemas Holdings will issue up to 33.5 million shares (1.12% of issued) under a proposed Employee Share Option Scheme. Current stated capital is Rs.7.99bn (2.99bn shares); total ESOS/ESOP issuance capped at 5% and the plan requires exchange and shareholder approval.

ASPI surged 435.13 points (1.98%) to 22,364.77 with turnover of Rs.2.42 billion, driven by broad domestic buying; top contributors included Dialog Axiata, Commercial Bank, John Keells, Sampath Bank and Hemas Holdings, and market cap rose to Rs.8.11 trillion.

John Keells CG Auto denied having prior knowledge of the temporary surcharge on vehicle imports and said it did not establish Letters of Credit for BYD vehicles immediately before the Gazette notification dated 15 May 2026. JKCG said its most recent BYD orders were between March and 30 April 2026 and no LCs were opened in May.

ASPI fell 4.26% for the week but closed Friday up 0.44% at 21,929.64, with market turnover near Rs.2.2bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.11.6m; top positive contributors were JKH, DOCK, MELS, RICH and SAMP amid cautious investors ahead of the CBSL policy meeting.

Dividend · Rs 0.75 · XD Jun 30, 2026

Final dividend of LKR 0.75/share; XD 2026-06-30; record 2026-06-30; payable 2026-07-17; FY ended 31.03.2026

John Keells CG Auto (JKCG) said it did not open any Letters of Credit for BYD vehicles on the day before Gazette notification No. 2488/56 (15 May 2026) and denied prior knowledge of the temporary vehicle import surcharge. The company said its BYD orders were placed between March and 30 April 2026 and no LCs were established after that date.

Colombo Stock Exchange traded higher midday as the ASPI rose 0.24% (52.94 pts) to 21,886 with turnover Rs.807m, led by gains in John Keells and DFCC. Lanka Ceramic declared a final dividend of Rs.6.40 and Swisstek recommended a final dividend of Rs.0.40 per share.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up with the ASPI rising 0.44% to 21,929.64 on turnover of Rs.2.17 billion, led by capital goods turnover of Rs.545.5 million. Lanka Hospitals announced a tax-free final dividend of Rs.1.00 per share (total Rs.223.73 million) payable without shareholder approval.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.21% to 21,833, with banks leading turnover at Rs.599.8 million and the rupee weakening to Rs.352.50. Amana Bank announced a registered address change effective May 19, 2026; its shares closed up 1.85% at Rs.27.50.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with ASPI up 0.75% (164.01 pts) to 21,953.06 and S&P SL20 up 0.71% to 6,076.69; market turnover was LKR 1.014 billion, led by banks (LKR 296.2m). Central Industries declared a final dividend of LKR 6.00/share and its shares were up 3.21% at LKR 224.75.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 1.98% to 21,856 amid concerns over rupee depreciation (buy 334.50 / sell 343.50). Top negatives included Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, John Keells, Ceylinco Insurance and HNB; Swisstek rose, and Ambeon reported a Q3 loss of Rs.221.7m with its share down 4.72%.

Sri Lanka shares fell, with the ASPI down 1.54% to 21,954.92 and the S&P SL20 down 1.28% to 6,069.81. Capital goods led turnover at 956.7 million rupees; banks including Sampath, Commercial Bank and DFCC weighed on the index while Union Chemicals, LOLC Finance and Aitken Spence gained.

Ambeon Capital PLC reported consolidated PAT of LKR 3,242 million for FY2025/26, up 104% YoY. Group revenue was LKR 19 billion (+12%), with strategic moves including increased stakes in DFCC (9.91%) and Seylan (9.93%), a 13.33% holding in Ceylon Hotels and a planned controlling stake in Harischandra Mills.

John Keells Holdings' real estate arm reports The Offices at Cinnamon Life have achieved Colombo's highest office rents at USD 3/sq ft/month (~LKR 950/sq ft/month) with potential investor yields up to 8%, driven by strong demand for integrated premium office space.

Colombo market closed marginally lower, with the ASPI down 0.07% at 22,298.07 while foreign investors were net buyers with inflows of over Rs.50 million. JKH.N0000, RICH.N0000, CIC.N0000, SAMP.N0000 and NDB.N0000 were among the top negative contributors; capital goods led turnover and banking plus food, beverage & tobacco made up 27% of turnover.

The ASPI fell 2.59% (592.28 points) to 22,313.47 — its third-largest single-day points decline — as the CSE closed sharply lower with turnover nearly Rs.4.9bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.114.3m. Key negative contributors included John Keells, RIL Property, Hayleys, Commercial Bank and Colombo Dockyard while capital goods and banking sectors led turnover and losses.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed slightly lower—ASPI down 0.07% at 22,298 and S&P SL20 down 0.21% at 6,148, with turnover Rs.2.32bn. Top contributors included Dialog, Vallibel One, Colombo Dockyard and Browns; Singer reported Q4 profit up 77% to Rs.2.48bn and Union Chemicals declared a Rs.44/share dividend.

The India–Sri Lanka Business Forum in Mumbai on 13 May 2026 highlighted renewed momentum in trade, investment and connectivity across tourism, renewable energy, ICT, logistics and infrastructure, with John Keells chair Krishan Balendra among delegates promoting deeper private‑sector ties.

Hayleys Mobility (part of Hayleys Group) says the JAECOO J7 PHEV has achieved five-star ratings from both Euro NCAP and Australasian NCAP. The company also notes OMODA E5, C9 and C5 have earned five-star Euro NCAP safety ratings.

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday, ASPI +0.54% (119.98 pts) to 22,433. Market turnover was Rs.597.2m with capital goods leading at Rs.181.7m; Colombo Fort Investments and Colombo Investment Trust announced interim scrip dividends.

Binod Chaudhary said he remains a long-term investor in Sri Lanka and is encouraged to expand his group's businesses after meeting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He urged the government to be flexible and aggressive in promoting the private sector, citing hospitality and financial services interests.

Dipped Products PLC inaugurated a Rs. 2.3 billion expansion at its Kottawa facility, adding two advanced glove dipping plants, an ETP and a high-efficiency steam boiler with robotic automation to boost high-value glove exports. Parent Hayleys PLC is positioned to benefit from higher export volumes and FX inflows.

Nepalese investor Dr. Binod Chaudhary met CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe to discuss the progress of his investments in Sri Lanka and explore future opportunities in the country’s financial services sector, with Union Bank leaders also present.

Dipped Products PLC (DIPD.N0000) inaugurated a Rs. 2.3 billion expansion at its Kottawa facility to boost automated high-value glove production. The project—by Hayleys PLC’s subsidiary—adds advanced robotic dipping lines, a 2,000 m3/day ETP and a high-efficiency boiler to support exports and sustainability.

Ambeon Capital's subsidiary Ambeon Essentials closed its mandatory offer for Harischandra Mills with acceptances representing a 51.11% controlling stake at Rs.3,400 per share. The controlling stake was valued at ~Rs.3.34 billion (total equity ~Rs.6.5 billion); Hayleys was the top shareholder with 40.58%.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as ASPI fell 2.59% (592.28 pts) to 22,313.47. Brokers cited broad selling with John Keells, RIL Property, Hayleys, Commercial Bank and Colombo Dockyard weighing on the index while Ceylinco Insurance was a positive contributor; Lion Brewery and Ceylon Beverage reported higher quarterly profits.

John Keells Holdings PLC chair Krishan Balendra received a signed copy of Dr. Binod Chaudhary's book 'Made in Nepal' after Chaudhary spoke at the SLID Chairman & CEO Forum, organised with Union Bank and Port City.

Hayleys (via Hayleys Fentons) signed a JV with Jyoti Structures to build the Mannar–Mullikulam 220kV double-circuit transmission line, the inaugural NTNSP contract to evacuate Mullikulam wind power to the national grid. The project will support renewable integration and expands Hayleys Fentons into infrastructure.