News & market updates

Hayleys PLC led World Environment Day 2026 activities across its plantation group, with Kelani Valley, Talawakelle and Horana plantations running tree-planting, awareness campaigns and Talawakelle launching the Hill Country Green Force volunteer initiative.

John Keells CG Auto hosted BYD Vice President Liu Xueliang as BYD deepens its Sri Lanka commitment; BYD accounted for ~37% of new vehicle registrations and >70% of EV registrations in Sri Lanka within nine months of resumed imports.

John Keells CG Auto hosted BYD Vice President Liu Xueliang as BYD captured about 37% of new vehicle registrations and over 70% of electric-vehicle registrations in Sri Lanka within nine months of import resumption. The visit focused on strengthening sales, after-sales, charging infrastructure and the local NEV ecosystem.

ASPI fell 118.35 points to 21,962.30, slipping below 22,000, while the S&P SL20 dropped 31.55 points to 6,135.50, led by declines in heavyweights such as Dialog Axiata and Melstacorp; banking stocks (NDB, HNB, Sampath) also recorded losses. Market turnover was LKR 1.53 billion, with JKH crossings contributing LKR 264 million.

Dividend · Rs 0.80 · XD Jul 16, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.8/share; XD 2026-07-16; record 2026-07-17; payable 2026-07-31; FY 2026/2027

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the ASPI down 0.39% to 21,995.04 and the S&P SL20 down 0.27% to 6,150.33. Top negatives included Melstacorp, John Keells and Carson Cumberbatch while Digital Mobility Solutions, Royal Ceramics and Haycarb were positive; turnover was LKR 1.13 billion.

Colombo Stock Exchange midday: ASPI down 0.17% (37.22 pts) to 22,043.43 and S&P SL20 down 0.15% to 6,157.85. Capital goods led turnover (LKR 46.2m of LKR 216.8m); notable gainers HNB, RCL, SPEN, SDB, NHL and decliners GREG, MELS, JKH, CARS, LOLC.

Colombo market opened deep in the red: ASPI fell 0.44% (98.08 pts) to 22,080.65 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.44% as foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 315.8m. Main negatives included Ceylinco, HNB, RIL and Central Finance; utilities (led by Windforce), capital goods and banking led turnover.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka hosted CATALYZE 2026: Environment, a two-day forum on corporate environmental sustainability; Sampath Bank was main partner and listed firms including Dilmah, Teejay Lanka, Hayleys, Talawakelle, Commercial Bank and Kelani Valley participated as partners or patrons.

HayWind One (Hayleys Fentons), part of Hayleys PLC, has received all ten turbines for the 50MW Mannar Wind Farm, moving the project into peak construction and installation with energisation targeted by December 2026. Once operational it will add 50MW to the grid and is projected to save ~LKR 100 billion in imported fuel costs over 20 years.

Hemas Hospitals & Laboratory Chain (Hemas Holdings) won 30 awards at the NCQP 2026 — the highest number by any single hospital — including 22 Gold, 7 Silver and 1 Bronze. All 30 submitted quality-improvement projects across clinical and operational areas received national recognition.

Daraz Sri Lanka launches its 7.7 Super Savings Sale from 6 July (8 PM) to 17 July, offering vouchers worth Rs. 50 million, free delivery and discounts up to 80%. Brand partners include Hemas, and Commercial Bank and NTB cardholders get extra discounts during Brand Rush Hour and the campaign.

Hayleys PLC's Hayleys Plantations sector marked World Environment Day 2026 with tree planting, awareness programmes, the Surakimu Ganga freshwater initiative and the launch of Talawakelle's 'Hill Country Green Force' across Kelani Valley (KVAL.N0000), Talawakelle (TPL.N0000) and Horana (HOPL.N0000).

Softlogic Information Technologies (part of Softlogic Holdings) won Xerox's Outstanding Performance award for FY2025/26 for its exceptional sales of Xerox imaging products, reflecting significant growth and market presence. The company cited strengthened offerings after Xerox's acquisition of Lexmark and island-wide in‑house service across all 25 districts.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.10% to 22,157.16 in intraday trade, with turnover at Rs 667 million. Aitken Spence said P Englisch stepped down and M R Mihular was reappointed independent director; the stock was down 25 cents at Rs 150.

Colombo market extended losses as the ASPI fell 1.03% for the week to 22,178.73 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.85% to 6,194.22. Market turnover topped Rs.1.5bn with foreigners net sellers of Rs.157.9m and notable moves from SAMP, CINS, JKH, RCL (weak) and DIAL, BUKI, CARS, AEL, COMB (positive/active).

Softlogic Holdings has raised 2.03 billion rupees of a targeted 10 billion-rupee equity raise and sold Odel's Koswatta land for about 1.5 billion rupees as part of a restructuring after both Softlogic and Odel were placed on the Colombo Stock Exchange Watchlist. Odel restructured 90% of bank facilities, converted a 3.2 billion-rupee intercompany loan to equity and scaled down the Odel Mall project to 6.28 billion rupees.

Advocata CEO Dhananath Fernando urged the government to use its current political mandate to implement structural reforms now — including accelerated SOE restructuring, privately developed industrial zones, customs and trade liberalisation, and land-title and labour reforms — to avoid returning to another IMF program.

Colombo market fell for a third session as the ASPI dropped 0.10% (21.79 pts) to 22,221.91 on heavy foreign net selling of Rs. 774.2 million. Top negative contributors included SPEN, SAMP, DFCC, CTC and CINS while CARG, DIAL, JKH and MELS supported the index; capital goods led turnover (55%).

Ameena Ziauddin (Norfolk Foods) was elected President of the Council for Business with Britain; John Keells (JKH.N0000), Hayleys (HAYL.N0000) and Aitken Spence (SPEN.N0000) were elected to the 2026–27 committee and Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000) was invited to join. The meeting highlighted rising UK tourist arrivals and UK DCTS reforms expanding zero‑tariff access for Sri Lankan exporters.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.19% (43.18 points) to 22,178.73 on turnover of Rs.1.54 billion. Asia Asset Finance announced GM and rights timetable and Associated Motor Finance said its merger with L B Finance will become effective by 31 July 2026.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka held CATALYZE 2026: Social on 24 June to mobilize businesses on social sustainability and responsible leadership; participants and partners included Jetwing Symphony PLC, Lighthouse Hotel PLC, Hemas Holdings, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and Elpitiya Plantations.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka held CATALYZE 2026: Social on 24 June with Jetwing Symphony/Lighthouse Hotel PLC Chairman Hiran Cooray as a keynote speaker. Listed partners and patrons included Elpitiya Plantations, Hemas Holdings, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank.

Hemas Holdings PLC appointed Sabrina Esufally as an Executive Director, effective 1 July 2026. She is Managing Director of Hemas Consumer Brands and brings commercial and consumer leadership to the Group Board.

Hayleys PLC's Hayleys Solar commissioned and handed over a 90 kW rooftop solar power system to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, which will supply a substantial portion of the faculty's daily energy needs and reduce reliance on grid electricity.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed with the ASPI down 0.06% at 22,229.71 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 6,209.85; market turnover was Rs.1.52bn and capital goods led turnover at Rs.834.9m. Dialog, Melstacorp and Bukit Darah were positive contributors, Aitken Spence, DFCC Bank and Ceylon Tobacco were top decliners, crossings were recorded in Hemas, Windforce and Printcare, and SANASA Life raised Rs.500m via subordinated debentures to meet regulatory capital requirements.

Hayleys Mobility (Hayleys PLC) opened a new workshop at No. 88 Nikape Aththidiya Road, Bellanthara, expanding its after-sales service network to serve Colombo and nearby suburbs with advanced diagnostic equipment and trained technicians. The facility aims to improve accessibility and reduce service turnaround times.

Carson Cumberbatch approved a second interim dividend of Rs.7.40 per ordinary share, totalling Rs.1.45 billion and exempt from withholding tax. Colombo markets were up midday (ASPI +0.08% at 22,260.75) with Dialog, Melstacorp, Sanasa Development Bank and Sampath as top positives and Ceylon Tobacco, DFCC and Aitken Spence as negatives; turnover Rs.388.5mn, capital goods led at Rs.62.4mn.