News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday as the ASPI rose 0.65% to 22,735.61 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.51% to 6,262.75, with turnover at Rs 2bn. Top movers included Central Finance, Hayleys, Hemas and Browns Investments (up) while NDB, Melstacorp and HNB lagged; Commercial Bank listed scrip-dividend shares and Browns Beach Hotels will resume trading Apr 17–27.

The Gratiaen Trust, partnered with John Keells Foundation and supported by the British Council, announced a 12-work longlist for the 33rd Gratiaen Prize; the shortlist will be revealed on 4 May 2026 and the winner on 6 June 2026.

Share split · 1:4 · XD May 19, 2026

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.47% to 22,588.97, led by gains in Carson Cumberbatch, Hayleys and Dialog Axiata while Asian Hotels & Properties and DFCC Bank were among decliners. Turnover was Rs.4.96bn with capital goods contributing Rs.951m.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the ASPI up 0.85% to 22,451.60 as global markets rallied. Top contributors included Carson Cumberbatch, Royal Ceramics, John Keells and Hemas while LOLC, DFCC and Singer were negatives; Hatton National Bank announced listings of 4,249,706 voting and 1,251,268 non-voting shares.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up; the All Share index rose 0.60% to 22,261.48 with turnover of Rs3.05 billion. Ceylinco Holdings, Melstacorp and Hatton National Bank were top positive contributors while DFCC Bank and Sunshine Holdings were top negatives.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.40% to 22,218.06 at midday, with market turnover of Rs.1 billion and diversified financials leading turnover at Rs.263 million. Ceylon Tea Brokers said it will not proceed with the sale of DP Logistics and its shares were up 3.39% at Rs.12.20.

Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) opened the 41st Colombo Shopping Festival — Avurudu Fair — at BMICH, running 8–12 April 2026 and featuring over 200 MSMEs and multiple top retail brands.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up: ASPI +1.30% (284.12 pts) to 22,128.66. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp and National Development Bank; turnover was Rs5.016bn and HNB Finance announced a Rs2,499,529,714 rights issue (2 for 9).

Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.33% (73.06 pts) to 21,844.54, with net foreign selling of Rs.221.4m (weekly outflows Rs.1.9bn) amid Middle East tensions; IMF staff-level agreement on EFF reviews helped a partial late-session recovery.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) completed an 800 kW rooftop solar installation for London Stock Exchange Group in Malabe, expected to generate ~1,250 MWh/year, supply ~80% of LSEG's daytime electricity and cut ~850 tonnes CO2 annually. The six-building, 1,412-panel system was delivered in two months with a zero-accident record.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the All Share Index fell 0.33% to 21,844.54. National Development Bank (+3.41%), Nations Trust Bank (+1.65%) and Janashakthi Insurance (+8.74%) led gains, while Dialog Axiata (-2.47%), John Keells (-1.02%) and Melstacorp (-1.14%) were top decliners; Cargills Bank listed 294,200,000 rights shares raising Rs.2,500,700,000.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell midday with the ASPI down 0.72% to 21,759.64 and market turnover at 773 million rupees. National Development Bank and L B Finance were among top gainers, John Keells and HNB among decliners; Cargills Bank listed 294,200,000 shares after a rights issue raising 2,500,700,000 rupees and Colombo Dockyard appointed Capt Jagmohan chairman.

Colombo market recorded its largest single-day gain as the ASPI rose 4.21% (885.14 pts) to 21,917.60 on Middle East ceasefire optimism; turnover was over Rs.6.6bn and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.612.4m. JKH, COMB, HNB, DIAL and DOCK were top contributors and the banking sector led turnover (24%).

Cinnamon Bentota Beach (John Keells Hotels) held a 'Jaffna Night' on 31 March, launching a 'Jaffna Culinary Journey' video series and a Jaffna Food Festival to showcase Northern Sri Lanka's cuisine and culture. The event aimed to bring authentic Jaffna flavours and experiences to resort guests.

Janashakthi Group's JXG IPO, proposing to raise LKR 5.0 billion via 500 million shares at LKR 10 each (21.74% stake), was oversubscribed on its opening day; an independent Deloitte valuation placed per-share value at LKR 15.92 (37.18% premium to the IPO price). Proceeds will fund expansion (LKR 3.5bn), regional growth (LKR 0.5bn) and debt retirement (LKR 1.0bn).

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher after a US‑Iran ceasefire: ASPI rose 4.09% to 21,891.97 while the S&P SL20 fell 4.60% to 6,100.99. Top gainers included Commercial Bank (+6.01%), John Keells Holding (+6.49%), HNB (+4.58%), Hayleys (+4.27%) and Melstacorp (+3.24%); turnover Rs1.75bn and Brent at $94/bbl.

ASPI fell 0.45% to 21,032.46 as foreign net outflows reached Rs.1.099bn over two days (Rs.294m yesterday, Rs.805m prior). Banking led turnover (49%); key negatives included NDB, Ceylinco (CINS), Melstacorp and JKH, while Galle Face Capital (WAPO) gained.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 4.21% to 21,917.60 as a US two-week ceasefire announcement drew investors back, with turnover at Rs.6.61 billion and banks driving activity. Top contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Dialog Axiata and Colombo Dockyard.

Sentido Heritance Negombo (Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings) marks its 10th anniversary with the 'Decade One' campaign. Opened in April 2016, the beachfront hotel highlights LEED and five-star credentials, Travelife Gold, a 5% reduction in CO2 per room night in 2025, community programmes and a new restaurant.

National Development Bank's trading halt was lifted and its shares fell to Rs.115.00 from Rs.130.50 after investors reacted to a reported Rs.13.4 billion fraud. The ASPI was down 0.12% at 21,100.65 and Vidullanka authorised acquiring 100% of the 4.5MW Gurugoda mini-hydro plant.

Colombo bourse opened mixed: ASPI rose 0.04% to 21,126.60 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.24%; market turnover exceeded Rs. 3bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 804.7m. Food & beverage and capital goods led turnover with heavy crossings in Melstacorp.

Government published the 2026 Governance Action Plan, targeting the Public Procurement Bill for August 2026 and SOE holding-company formation by August with SOE milestones extending to October. The plan also schedules an EPF review by August, asset-management and PPP laws in 2026, and continued digitalisation (e-procurement, land registry) with some rollouts into 2027–28.

John Keells Foundation and City of Dreams Sri Lanka completed auditions and selected a local cast for the West End–licensed musical La Bamba – Song of Veracruz, with performances set for 24–28 April at The Forum, City of Dreams. Tickets are available via Cinnamon Box Office with a 10% early-bird discount for Nations Trust Bank American Express and Mastercard holders.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI closed up 0.04% to 21,126.60 as banking stocks faced selling pressure after NDB disclosed an internal fraud loss of 13.4 billion rupees and trading in NDB was halted. DFCC, Cargills Bank and Access Engineering led gains while Commercial Bank, HNB and Melstacorp were laggards; turnover was Rs.3.029bn.

Sunshine Holdings PLC appointed Prasad Gopalan as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Gopalan is a former IFC Global Sector Manager for Agribusiness and Forestry who managed a $1.5-2.0bn annual investment programme and currently sits on the board of Sunshine Healthcare Lanka, a Sunshine subsidiary.

ASPI fell 1.2% (258.31 pts) for the week and the S&P SL20 dropped 2% (124.30 pts); market turnover was about Rs.1.77bn with net foreign outflows of Rs.68.2m, while breadth was positive and activity was led by capital goods, banks, materials and food & beverage names.