News & market updates

HNB Finance PLC and Hayleys Mobility (Hayleys PLC) have formed a strategic partnership to expand Sri Lanka's NEV market by offering tailored leasing with preferential rates, doorstep services and value-added after-sales support, including complimentary registration and a 7kW home charger.

The SEC and CSE convened a forum titled "Defining the Future of State-Owned Enterprises through Capital Market Integration" to encourage SOEs to use capital markets for funding; over 45 SOEs attended and the CSE promoted its Catalyst Board as a flexible entry point. Speakers highlighted benefits such as greater transparency, alternative debt and equity instruments, ESOPs and reduced reliance on Treasury funding.

Colombo Stock Exchange jumped as ASPI closed up 3.79% at 21,868.85 and the S&P SL20 rose 3.81% to 6,134.23. Top positives included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, John Keells and Hayleys; turnover was Rs.6.41bn with highest activity in food, beverages & tobacco.

JXG, parent of the Janashakthi Group, has launched a LKR 5 billion IPO offering 500 million shares at LKR 10 each (21.74% post‑IPO stake), opening 9 April 2026; Deloitte values JXG at LKR 15.92/share (37.18% discount). Proceeds will fund expansion (LKR 3.5bn), regional growth (LKR 0.5bn) and debt repayment (LKR 1bn).

Vallibel One PLC (VONE.N0000) was represented by MD Dinusha Bhaskaran as AHK Sri Lanka held a Sundowners networking evening at the Hettich Experience Centre on 19 March 2026, showcasing Hettich products and fostering industry connections.

Vallibel One PLC's travel arm Delair Travels has rebranded as Delmege Travels to align the business with the Delmege Group; the company says services, operations and personnel will continue unchanged while benefiting from stronger brand synergy.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 3.38% to 21,784.11 and the S&P SL20 climbed 3.63% to 6,123.82; market turnover was Rs.2.3bn. Top contributors included Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, Melstacorp and Dialog, while food, beverage & tobacco led turnover (Rs.834m).

Janashakthi Ltd. is launching a Rs.5 billion IPO on 9 April offering 500 million shares (21.74%) at Rs.10 each; Deloitte values the company at Rs.15.92/share, implying a 37.18% discount to valuation (around 50% upside). The company plans to use ~Rs.4 billion for expansion into general insurance, microfinance and NBFIs including overseas markets, and Rs.1 billion to retire debt.

The ASPI rose 3.47% (706.26 pts) to 21,071.23, recovering Rs. 244 billion on reports of a possible de‑escalation in the Middle East; the S&P SL20 gained 3.91% to 5,909.23. Market turnover exceeded Rs. 4.2 billion with gains led by Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, John Keells and Colombo Dockyard while foreigners were net sellers.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose after US President Trump's pause on attacks, with the All Share Price Index up 3.31% to 21,039.77 and the S&P SL20 up 3.57% to 5,889.75. Top contributors were Commercial Bank (up 5.49% to Rs.201.75), Sampath Bank (up 2.98% to Rs.155.75), Melstacorp (up 2.14% to Rs.167.00) and DFCC Bank (up 4.45% to Rs.135); DFCC also listed 12,310,834 shares after a scrip dividend.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +1.35% to 20,360.27 and S&P SL20 +4.24% to 5,927.87, led by gains in Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, John Keells, Hatton National Bank and Hayleys. Market turnover was Rs.4.22bn; capital goods saw the most turnover and NDB raised Rs.16bn in a green/sustainability-linked bond.

CIC Holdings PLC announced a strategic partnership with the University of East Anglia to deliver UEA undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Sri Lanka (programmes include Business, IT, AI, Cybersecurity); inaugural enrolments begin January 2027.

ASPI fell 1.33% to 20,364.97 as the market reacted to Middle East tensions and rising crude oil prices. Market turnover was Rs.2.37bn, the market has lost over Rs.1.1tn since 28 Feb, primary negative contributors were DOCK, JKH, RIL, DIAL and CFIN, while JKH, SINS and DIAL saw largest foreign outflows and PKME, WIND and TAP largest inflows.

CSE granted in-principle approval for Janashakthi Ltd to offer 500 million ordinary voting shares at Rs.10 each (raising Rs.5 billion) via an IPO, with the subscription list opening on 9 April and listing to be on the Main or Diri Savi Board subject to requirements. First Capital Advisory Services is manager and financial adviser, SSP Corporate Services is registrar, and the prospectus will be provided in soft copy.

The SLID-KPMG Audit Committee Forum (9 Mar 2026) urged audit committees to oversee ESG reporting under SLFRS S1/S2; panellists from Aitken Spence, MAS, Lion Brewery and DFCC discussed governance, data controls, implementation and sustainable financing.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 1.35% to 20,360.27 and the S&P SL20 slid 1.06% to 5,691.97. WindForce rose after winning a 10 MW/40 MWh BESS contract worth Rs1.73bn and was the top positive contributor, while Colombo Dockyard and John Keells were top negatives; turnover was Rs2.37bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange slid midday as the ASPI fell 1.53% to 20,323.75 amid US-Iran tensions; top negative contributors were John Keells (-1.64% to Rs.18.00), Sampath Bank (-1.49% to Rs.149.25), Hayleys (-1.20% to Rs.205.00) and Central Finance (-1.84% to Rs.213.00).

Gulf escalation and shipping disruptions have hit Sri Lanka's tourism, tea and apparel sectors, pulling the bourse down 12.7% through March 20; plantation and apparel stocks plunged (Namunukula -30.6%, Agalawatte -22%, Teejay Lanka -20.6%) while Sunshine benefits from higher palm oil prices.

Hayleys PLC's listed unsecured senior redeemable debenture issue was oversubscribed, receiving applications for 58,238,200 debentures worth Rs.5,823,820,000 versus the 50,000,000 on offer. The company had offered 50 million debentures at Rs.100 par with an option to issue up to 20 million more on oversubscription.

Ambeon Holdings PLC proposes a 1-for-4 share subdivision, increasing issued ordinary shares from 356,869,666 to 1,427,478,664 while stated capital remains at Rs. 5,331,775,177. The proposal is subject to Colombo Stock Exchange concurrence and shareholder approval at an EGM.

The ASPI fell 1.82% to 20,264.01, a seven-month low, as Middle East tensions and oil above $118 pushed markets down with margin calls and net foreign selling; JKH, AEL, COMB, MELS and HAYL were top negative contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up Friday with the ASPI +1.85% at 20,639.73, though the market is down 4.85% from last Friday. Turnover was Rs.4.39bn led by capital goods; top contributors included Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp and John Keells, and Lanka Realty Investments said it will sell 57,204,262 shares to subsidiary Lee Hedges.

John Keells is presenting the international West End production La Bamba at The Forum, Cinnamon Life in Colombo this April, produced with the John Keells Foundation and in association with Nations Trust Bank. The run includes seven performances and a 10% early-bird discount for Nations Trust Bank AmEx and Mastercard holders.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as Brent crude fell below $110, with the ASPI up 0.85% to 20,436.53. Turnover was 682 million rupees, led by gains in Sampath Bank, Melstacorp and Dialog Axiata.

Hayleys PLC's listed unsecured senior redeemable debenture issue was oversubscribed with applications exceeding Rs. 5 billion; the company may issue up to an additional 20 million debentures, taking the total potential issue size to Rs. 7 billion.

The APSEZ–John Keells–Sri Lanka Ports Authority Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) handled one million TEUs in its first year after opening in April 2025. CWIT is a fully automated deep-water terminal with about 3.2m TEU annual capacity and a 1,400m quay.

All companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange Main Board must adopt sustainability reporting under SLFRS S1 and S2 effective 1 January 2026. A seminar on ‘Sustainability Reporting for Corporates’ will be held 26 March 2026 at The Kingsbury to brief directors and senior executives.

Colombo stocks opened lower as oil topped $112/bbl, with the ASPI down 0.90% at 20,455.02 and turnover of Rs.591 million. John Keells Holdings and Hayleys were among the top negative contributors, down 2.14% and 2.34% respectively.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 1.82% as the ASPI closed at 20,264.01 amid investor uncertainty over the West Asia conflict; the S&P SL20 fell 1.98%. Top negative contributors were John Keells (-3.74%), Access Engineering (-6.04%) and Commercial Bank (-1.42%), with turnover of Rs 3.95bn and banks active.