News & market updates

Colombo stocks rose with the ASPI up 0.33% to 23,781.23, led by blue-chip gains from JKH, HAYL, MELS, AEL and LMF. Banking counters faced selling pressure after Q4 results while capital goods drove turnover (27%); foreigners were net buyers of Rs.194m.

Global Biz Connect 2026 will be held in Colombo at Cinnamon Life on 3 March 2026, bringing diplomats, trade bodies, multinationals and investors together to connect Sri Lankan enterprises with international markets. Panels will cover industries including value-added tea, confectionery, hospitality and medical tourism.

Rights issue · 3:50 at Rs 200.00 · XD Mar 18, 2026

Hayleys PLC said its board has resolved to raise up to Rs. 7 billion via a listed debenture issue (50 million debentures with an option for 20 million more at Rs.100 par). Details on tenure, interest rates and other terms will be announced and the issue is subject to regulatory approvals.

Hayleys PLC's Advantis unit has formed a joint venture with Sarens to supply and operate heavy-lift cranes and engineered lifting services in Sri Lanka, with the JV's first contract the 50MW Haywind wind farm in Mannar. The partnership will invest in crane and transport assets and provide end-to-end turbine installation and logistics.

Hayleys PLC resolved to raise up to Rs. 7 billion via a listed, rated, unsecured, senior, redeemable debenture issue of up to 70 million debentures at Rs.100 each, subject to regulatory approvals. The Board approved 50 million debentures with an option for a further 20 million; tenure and interest details will be announced later.

Hayleys PLC's logistics arm Hayleys Advantis has signed a strategic joint venture with Belgium-based Sarens to provide heavy-lift crane and engineered transport services for the 50MW Haywind wind power project in Mannar, including transport and installation of turbines.

Net liquidity surplus rose to Rs. 322.93 billion (highest in 22 years) as the CB drained liquidity via repos; weekly T‑Bill yields fell for a sixth straight week and a Rs. 140 billion Treasury Bond auction across three maturities is scheduled (settlement 3 Mar 2026).

AIDAdiva made its maiden call at Hambantota International Port on 12 Feb 2026 carrying about 2,000 passengers and 620 crew; Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd served as port agent and roughly 1,400 passengers disembarked for organised excursions.

Altair has attracted flagship showrooms from global automotive brands—TATA, JAECOO and OMODA are operational while BYD, DENZA and KIA will open shortly—enhancing the development's retail profile and involving corporate groups John Keells Holdings, Hayleys and DIMO.

Janashakthi Limited (JXG) is pursuing an integrated group strategy across Janashakthi Life, First Capital and Janashakthi Finance to deepen its financial services, drive digital transformation and expand domestically and regionally by 2026.

Colombo market closed marginally higher: ASPI +0.05% (12.48 pts) at 23,703.10 and S&P SL20 +0.06% at 6,685.27 on turnover >Rs.4bn. Diversified financials, capital goods and banking led activity with CDB, DIAL, PLR, JKH and DOCK as key positive contributors while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.72m; YTD outflow Rs.15.9bn).

Colombo stocks closed in red, with the ASPI down 0.39% (92.40 pts) to 23,690.62 and the S&P SL20 down 0.71% to 6,681.12 on turnover of nearly Rs.3.7bn. Price losses in John Keells, Melstacorp and Nations Trust Bank were key negatives while ACL Cables, Access Engineering and Dialog were top turnover names.

Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC appointed C.M.S. Jayawickrama as Managing Director effective 1 April 2026. He was previously an Executive Director, is MD of Aitken Spence Hotel Managements Ltd and has over three decades' experience in the group's hotel operations.

Aitken Spence PLC has appointed Executive Chairperson Stasshani Jayawardena as interim Managing Director effective 1 April 2026. Jayawardena also chairs Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings and holds board roles at Lanka Milk Foods, Melstacorp and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka.

Samsung Sri Lanka launches the 'Wowurudu' Avurudu consumer-electronics campaign from 15 Feb 2026, introducing two new double-door inverter no-frost refrigerators and a Twin Inverter WiFi air conditioner and promoting products island-wide via authorised distributors including Singer and Softlogic.

Dividend · Rs 1.00 · XD Mar 6, 2026

Second Interim dividend of LKR 1/share; XD 2026-03-06; record 2026-03-08; payable 2026-03-25; FY Ending 31st March, 2026

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) completed a 4,036 kW solar PV installation across six Pussalla Meat Producers farm locations. The multi-site project is expected to supply a substantial portion of the farms' energy needs and reduce annual carbon emissions by about 3,392,247 tonnes.

UK DCTS reforms (effective 1 Jan 2026) allow Sri Lankan apparel makers to source fabrics globally and export duty-free to the UK, expected to lift production by over 10% and boost export volumes; delegation visited logistics and QA facilities, including Aitken Spence-supported operations.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts (John Keells Hotels) signed an MoU with the National Olympic Committee naming Cinnamon as Official Hospitality Partner and Walkers Tours as Official Transportation Partner, offering preferential rates and hosting/transport services for visiting teams. The partnership includes joint promotions to boost Sri Lanka's sports tourism.

Colombo market ended marginally higher with the ASPI up 0.04% (9.38 pts) at 23,783.02 and the S&P SL20 up 0.11% at 6,728.71, on turnover below Rs.2.6bn; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.52.8m. MELS, RICH, PLR, COMB and HNB were key positive contributors and the banking sector led turnover (17%).

Dividend · Rs 2.75 · XD Mar 5, 2026

Second Interim dividend of LKR 2.75/share; XD 2026-03-05; record 2026-03-05; payable 2026-03-20; FY 2025/2026

Melstacorp PLC sold 2 million shares (0.04% stake) of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC on 19 Feb at Rs.59.50/share, raising Rs.119 million and reducing its holding to 92.40%. Distilleries closed at Rs.59 (-0.30) and Melstacorp at Rs.181.25 (-1.75); Melstacorp assets/share Rs.131.99 and DCSL net assets Rs.4.14 (end-Dec 2025).

John Keells CG Auto (John Keells group) opened the Altair Showroom in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s first showroom to house BYD and DENZA vehicles together. The outlet showcases models including the BYD SEALION 6, BYD SHARK 6 and DENZA B5/B8 and forms part of BYD's ninth and DENZA's second openings in under a year.

The SEC and SLAASMB signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize cooperation on oversight of financial reporting and auditing for SEC‑licensed entities, including listed companies, establishing information‑sharing, referrals and joint awareness initiatives.

SLID held a directors' accountability session on Sri Lanka's PDPA on 30 Jan 2026, warning that stronger enforcement increases regulatory, financial, reputational and personal risks for boards. A repeat session is scheduled for 5 Mar 2026.

Colombo bourse ended the week lower: ASPI down 0.40% (96.43 pts) at 23,773.64 and S&P SL20 down 0.32% at 6,721.47. Leading negatives were COMB, CTHR, MELS, BUKI and JKH; banking sector led turnover (23%) and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 11.3m.