News & market updates

John Keells CG Auto said Sri Lanka Customs agreed in Court on 11 November 2025 to release the detained consignments, including an additional 631 BYD electric vehicles, under agreed guarantee terms. JKCG said it offered guarantees and provided a Vehicle Diagnostics Service for testing; Customs will notify the Court of next testing steps.

Ambeon Capital PLC reported 2Q PAT of Rs.3.82bn (YTD Rs.4.55bn) while Ambeon Holdings PLC posted 2Q PAT of Rs.3.22bn (YTD Rs.3.9bn). The group cited fair value gains and efficiencies, acquired 51% of Mylands, and increased stakes in Ceylon Hotels (13.57%) and DFCC (9.91%) while holding 9.93% in Seylan.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.33% to 23,659.70, led by capital goods and banks with turnover of Rs1.85bn and Rs1.58bn. Top contributors included John Keells, Senkadagala Finance and Aitken Spence, and Three Acre Farms said it will merge two subsidiaries.

Aitken Spence Printing & Packaging (Pvt) Ltd (principal sponsor) won the Platinum Award at the Sri Lanka Packaging Awards 2025 with 4 Gold, 7 Silver and 8 Bronze awards. JF Packaging Ltd won the President's Award as the highest-scoring single entry.

Cabinet approved a Rs. 774 million vehicle procurement for the Department of Prisons, awarding Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC contracts for 30 (44-seat) and 10 (30-seat) buses and Brown & Company PLC contracts for three tractors.

CSE extended its post-Budget rally as the ASPI rose 0.34% to 23,582.16 with turnover topping Rs.8.2bn; RICH, DIAL, DFCC, AEL and HNB were key positive contributors. Foreign investors were net buyers (Rs.26mn) and capital goods led activity (28% of turnover) while banking and F&B accounted for 35%.

The Sri Lanka–Korea Business Council held its 30th AGM; Shamil Mendis was elected President and the meeting emphasised deepening Korea–Sri Lanka economic cooperation and opportunities in tourism, exports, port development, manufacturing and digital/AI sectors.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.34% to 23,582.16, led by bluechips and banking shares; top contributors included DIAL.N0000, DFCC.N0000, AEL.N0000, HNB.N0000, SIRA.N0000 and JKH.N0000, with John Keells reporting a Sept quarter net profit up 21% to LKR 1.65bn.

Myland Developments PLC appointed Savanth Sebastian and Ravi Goonetilleke as Independent Non‑Executive Directors and Dr. Kanchana Narangoda as an Executive Director. The appointees bring experience and links to firms including Ambeon Capital, Colombo City Holdings, Dankotuwa Porcelain, Hemas and Nations Trust Bank.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams is hosting a month-long series of dining events in November, including omakase at Yorokō, coastal Indian menus at Indiya, Cantonese lunch at Sapphire Dragon, afternoon tea at Sweet Lab, tapas nights at Bistro and Brunch on 23.

The Sri Lanka–Korea Business Council held its 30th AGM where Shamil Mendis was elected president and Korea's Ambassador Miyon Lee urged deeper trade and investment ties, citing opportunities in port development, food exports, manufacturing and digital/AI. The council highlighted initiatives to boost collaboration and market access.

Hemas Pharmaceuticals (subsidiary of Hemas Holdings, HHL.N0000) launched the Suwajeewa Diabetes Screening and Awareness Programmes, running three free screening events on 23, 28 and 30 Oct 2025 with blood sugar, BP, BMI and eye checks in partnership with Medihelp Hospitals.

Odel PLC's GLOMARK launched the 'ගෙට BETTER LIFE' wellness-focused rebrand, repositioning the supermarket from premium to purpose-driven, wellness retail. The relaunch includes educational product curation and a wellness-themed children's storybook to promote healthy eating.

The Harvard Club of Sri Lanka will host 'Big Bold Brave 2025' from 12–14 Nov at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, with 150+ delegates and 40+ speakers; the APAC conference is expected to boost demand for Colombo hotels and conference venues.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.7% on Monday, led by financial shares as the ASPI gained 164.34 points to 23,502.59. Top contributors from the shortlist included HNB, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and NDB, while construction names like Access Engineering and Kelani Cables also gained and John Keells reported a 21% quarterly profit rise.

Dividend · Rs 0.70 · XD Nov 19, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.7/share; XD 2025-11-19; record 2025-11-19; payable 2025-12-08; FY 2025/2026

Hemas Holdings (HHL.N0000) reported cumulative earnings of Rs. 3.3 billion for the six months to 30 Sep 2025, up 32.5% year-on-year. Growth was driven by revenue increases across divisions, a 78.9% drop in net interest cost, and the group announced a conditional Kenya acquisition plus expansion of Thalawathugoda hospital.

CIC Holdings reported consolidated revenue of Rs. 41.6 billion and PAT of Rs. 3.25 billion for 1HFY26, up 7.2% and 14.7% YoY respectively. Growth was driven by margin recovery and strong performances in Crop Solutions (40% of revenue), Livestock and Health & Personal Care; EPS rose to Rs. 6.86 and total assets reached Rs. 98.6 billion.

Hemas Holdings reported 1H FY26 earnings of Rs. 3.3 billion, up 32.5%, driven by a strong 2Q where consolidated earnings rose 36.6% to Rs. 2.1 billion. The group announced a conditional acquisition of a Kenyan consumer products company and a Rs.0.25 first interim dividend, subject to regulatory approvals.

CIC Holdings PLC reported consolidated revenue of Rs.41.6 billion for 1HFY26 and PAT rose 14.7% YoY to Rs.3.25 billion. Crop Solutions accounted for about 40% of revenue and group EBIT increased 18.6% to Rs.5.7 billion, with broad-based segmental profit growth.

Hayleys Fentons launched 'The Green Blueprint – ESG Roadmap 2030' on 29 September, targeting 70% clean energy use by 2030 and commitments to zero waste to landfill, biodiversity initiatives and stronger ESG governance; the programme is backed by Hayleys PLC.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run its 11.11 Biggest Sale from Nov 10 (8:00pm) to Nov 21 with discounts up to 90%, Rs.120 million in vouchers and sitewide flash deals. Participating banks (NTB, HNB, NDB, Commercial Bank, Sampath, DFCC, Pan Asia) and brands including Hayleys will offer additional partner discounts and instalment options.

Hayleys PLC won the 32nd Singer MCA Super Premier League 2025 T20 final, defeating CDB 127–122 with Ramesh Mendis named Player of the Final. The victory gives Hayleys its second Mercantile cricket title this season and sees the company reach the finals of all three Mercantile tournaments.

Colombo bourse rose on Budget optimism as ASPI gained 0.98% (225 pts) and S&P SL20 rose 1.13%; banking led activity (23% of turnover) and key positive contributors included SFCL, COMB, SAMP, HNB and VONE, with DFCC, LAUGFS and Bogala among high-turnover winners.

Dividend · Rs 4.75 · XD Nov 18, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 4.75/share; XD 2025-11-18; record 2025-11-18; payable 2025-12-08; FY ending 31 March 2026

Dividend · Rs 0.25 · XD Nov 18, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.25/share; XD 2025-11-18; record 2025-11-18; payable 2025-12-05; FY Year ending 31st March 2026

John Keells Holdings said Keells supermarkets recorded 14% same-store sales growth and 19% footfall growth in 2025, and opened two outlets bringing the total to 142. The company noted lower spend per visit but higher cumulative customer spend and plans further expansion.

Sunshine Holdings PLC reported consolidated revenue of Rs. 32.3 billion in 1H FY26, up 7.4% YoY, and group EBIT rose 18.6% to Rs. 5.5 billion with gross margin expanding to 31.9%. Healthcare remained the largest revenue contributor while Agribusiness (Watawala Plantations) saw revenue up 21.9% and sharply improved margins.