News & market updates

Aitken Spence PLC's travel arm handled The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's maiden calls to Colombo and Galle on 14–15 Dec 2025, positioning the company to capture high-end cruise visitors and strengthen its luxury shore-excursion offerings.

The Ministry launched the Industry Recovery Foster Program (IRFP) and Industry Development Foster Program (IDFP) to revive large-scale manufacturing hit by Cyclone Ditwah, with corporates including John Keells (JKH.N0000), Hemas (HHL.N0000), Brown & Company (BRWN.N0000) and Cargills (CARG.N0000) joining a PPP. The recovery framework will be operational within 30 days and 16,476 inquiries have been recorded to date.

Aitken Spence PLC (via Aitken Spence Travels) handled The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's maiden calls to Colombo and Galle on 14–15 December as the official shore excursion provider. The visit is intended to raise Sri Lanka's profile as a luxury multiport destination for high-end cruise travellers.

Government's Excise Notification No.03/2025 raises one‑time Industry Entry Fees up to Rs.25m for distilleries (Rs.5m for palmrah arrack), Rs.5m for bottling plus higher annual fees and security deposits, and Rs.10–15m for certain retail licences; existing licensees must top up deposits within 30 days.

Colombo market extended its rally to five sessions as the ASPI gained 1,011.18 pts (4.7%) for the week, reclaiming Rs.320.65 bn in market value; yesterday ASPI closed at 22,508.26 with turnover of Rs.3 bn. Top contributors included SFCL, JKH, HAYL, WIND and VLL; DOCK and HNB saw share price declines.

Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe urged stronger research and collaboration to navigate overlapping global shocks, calling for building external reserves, restoring fiscal space, state-owned enterprise reform and a stronger, well-capitalised financial system.

Rights issue · 1:10 at Rs 60.00 · XD Nov 12, 2025

People’s Insurance PLC has appointed Chandana Guniyangoda as its new Independent Chairman. Guniyangoda is a veteran finance professional with 27+ years' experience and prior senior roles at NDB Bank, Sampath Bank and Aitken Spence.

Dipped Products PLC donated 50,000 protective gloves to the Ministry of Defence for flood relief. The gloves, handed over by Hayleys PLC's chairman alongside DPL's MD, will be deployed to assist relief personnel and volunteers in flood-affected areas.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.22% as the ASPI closed at 22,508.26 with turnover down to 3.02 billion rupees. Vidullanka and Windforce were awarded contracts to develop 50MW wind plants in Mannar, and several stocks (Senkadagala Finance, John Keells, Hayleys, Windforce, Vidullanka) helped lift the index.

Rajan Asirwatham, former Senior Partner and Country Head of KPMG Sri Lanka (1961–2008), has passed away. He served as a director of several listed firms including Aitken Spence PLC, CIC Holdings PLC and Dankotuwa Porcelain Ltd.

Colombo market rose for a fourth straight session: ASPI +0.16% (36.85 pts) to 22,459.28 and S&P SL20 +0.18% (11.09 pts) to 6,095.15. Turnover was Rs.5.55bn, foreigners were net sellers of Rs.150.5m, and top ASPI contributors were DOCK, CINS, CFIN, HHL and SUN.

Cargills Bank PLC proposed a Rs. 2.5 billion rights issue of 294,200,000 new ordinary voting shares at Rs. 8.50 each (14 new for every 45 held) to boost capital and support lending, subject to CSE, SEC and shareholder approvals. Major shareholders Cargills (Ceylon) PLC and C T Holdings PLC hold 37.09% and 23.62% respectively.

Colombo Dockyard said the SEC approved Onomichi Dockyard to sell its entire shareholding to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders after the company's rights issue, subject to a mandatory offer; DOCK closed at LKR234.25 (up LKR17.25). Speculative interest in construction-related stocks (eg. ACL, Swisstek) lifted the ASPI 0.16% and S&P SL20 0.18%.

The Ceylon Chamber coordinated Cyclone Ditwah relief with member companies including Aitken Spence, Central Finance, Union Assurance, Union Bank, Eastern Merchants and Wealthtrust, mobilising over 190 volunteer hours and handling 40,000+ emergency assistance requests to support the DMC’s emergency operations.

Aberdeen Holdings achieved Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Verification Certification under ISO 14064-1:2018. The certification underlines the group's sustainability efforts across its businesses, including subsidiary Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC.

Colombo stock market rose for a third straight session, gaining Rs.119.7 billion as the ASPI climbed 1.76% to 22,422.43; capital goods and materials led turnover, with JKH down to Rs.20.90 while DOCK, SIRA and AEL advanced.

Ceybank Asset Management participated in UTASL's Investor Awareness Initiative (27–31 Oct 2025) and is investing in IT systems as it gears for growth, citing institutional backing including Carson Cumberbatch PLC and NSB serving as trustee for its funds.

Hemas Holdings PLC has been named to Forbes Asia’s 200 Best Under a Billion for 2025, selected from over 19,000 companies for its growth, innovation and three-year shareholder performance. The company is one of the first Sri Lankan firms since 2021 to make the list.

Speculative trading in Colombo Dockyard lifted the Colombo Stock Exchange—ASPI rose 1.90% to 22,452.22 while Colombo Dockyard gained 43 rupees to 217. Momentum spread into banks and construction, with higher turnover of 6.2 billion rupees and several active stocks advancing.

Ceybank Asset Management took part in the UTASL Investor Awareness Initiative (27–31 Oct 2025) to promote unit trusts. The firm says it is backed by institutional shareholders including Carson Cumberbatch PLC, has NSB as trustee, and is investing in IT systems to support growth.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams (John Keells Hotels) is marking its first Christmas season in December with curated festive dining across its restaurants and lounges — including Festive Nook, Quizine, Gatz, Yoroko, Bistro, Staten and Sapphire Dragon — plus takeaway hampers and holiday menus.

Dividend · Rs 14.43 · XD Dec 17, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 14.43/share; XD 2025-12-17; record 2025-12-17; payable 2026-01-06; FY 2025-2026

The ASPI rebounded 0.45% to 21,594.86 on Monday as investor interest in diversified financials, capital goods and construction stocks pushed the market higher. Several stocks rose (AEL, ACL, DOCK, SAMP, HHL) and Abans Finance (AFSL) announced a debenture sale to raise up to LKR 1.5bn.

John Keells Holdings' John Keells Foundation ran Project WAVE activities for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; Project WAVE has reached over 5.8 million people since its November 2014 launch.

The Sri Lanka–Russia Business Council held its 22nd AGM highlighting export opportunities in tea, rubber, spices and fisheries and renewed focus on promoting tourism with Russia remaining a top inbound market. The Council also flagged plans on trade settlement, SME access, tech transfer, renewables, logistics and education.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 5.35% for the week, wiping out nearly Rs. 424 billion in market value. The ASPI hit a two-and-half-month low at 21,497.08 yesterday, with heavy losses in banking and capital-goods counters including JKH, HHL, COMB, SAMP, DFCC, NDB and HNB.

Over 25,000 tourists arrived during and after Cyclone Ditwah and Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams received Five-Star certification. Sri Lanka recorded over 2.1 million arrivals in the first 11 months, with November posting the highest monthly arrivals since March 2025.