News & market updates

IIHS Multiversity launched the “Local Study · Global Degree” model, positioning itself as Sri Lanka’s Global Health University to deliver internationally aligned health and related degrees locally. It also created structured sub-brands (Nursing, Physio, BioMed, Digital Health, etc.) and emphasizes global partnerships and mobility.

LAUGFS Life Sciences partnered with the Medical Research Institute to launch Sri Lanka’s first public allergy-awareness wristbands to record drug sensitivities and improve emergency patient safety.

Sevalanka Foundation, funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation, launched a relief programme in Biyagama to restore safe water and healthcare after Cyclone Ditwah, donating water pumps and rehabilitating wells and public facilities. The project supports MOH-run clinics with sanitization, emergency medical supplies and medical camps, and distributes hygiene, nutrition and household relief packs to vulnerable groups.

Ceylon Hospitals (Durdans) will seek shareholder approval to subdivide voting shares from 31,762,723 to 127,050,892 and non-voting shares from 10,133,765 to 40,535,060 (1-for-4); stated capital will remain at 1,778,802,331.50 rupees and the plan is pending regulatory approval.

Ceylon Hospitals (Durdens) will propose a 4-for-1 subdivision of both ordinary voting and non-voting shares, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Voting shares would rise to 127,050,892 and non-voting to 40,535,060, with stated capital unchanged at Rs. 1,778,802,331.50.

CarePolicy.US served more than 1,700 providers nationwide and marked the milestone at its 2025 Gala Awards Night. The remote-first firm provides state-specific licensing and compliance support across all 50 U.S. states and is discussing multi-state growth and market-entry planning.

Share split · 1:4 · XD Mar 5, 2026

Split issue

Flash Health raised a $200,000 seed round led by nVentures to scale its cashless outpatient (Cashless OPD) platform. The startup highlighted partnerships with insurers including Union Assurance, Janashakthi Insurance and HNB Assurance and will use funds to deepen insurer integrations, expand homecare and medicine delivery.

Flash Health raised US $200,000 in a seed round led by nVentures to scale its cashless outpatient (Cashless OPD) platform in Sri Lanka. The startup partners with insurers including Union Assurance and Janashakthi Insurance to offer cashless consultations, medicine delivery, telemedicine and homecare services.

Cabinet approved continuation and expansion of the 'Suraksha' Student Insurance Program for 2025–26 under a new agreement with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd., adding five critical illnesses and raising the low‑income parent death threshold to Rs.240,000. From 1 Sep 2025 claims can be submitted at any regional Sri Lanka Insurance office and benefits for devices/medication have been increased (e.g. Rs.75,000 for scoliosis braces, Rs.20,000 for long‑term medication).

Asiri Hospital Holdings (ASIR.N0000) partnered with the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) to support and pilot HealthTech startups, offering hospital environments, clinical feedback and commercial links to accelerate validation and scalable growth.

Nihon Kohden Sri Lanka held a CPR and AED lifesaving training session for JICA Sri Lanka staff in partnership with Hemas Surgicals & Diagnostics and the Resuscitation Council; participants received certificates and Ministry of Health representatives attended.

The Science and Technology Ministry revived Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) in 2025 and launched pilot RIA studies across eight regulatory agencies (including the Insurance Regulatory Commission, Consumer Affairs Authority and Sri Lanka Tea Board) with UNIDO support. The pilots aim to embed evidence-based rulemaking to reduce regulatory uncertainty and improve investor confidence.

George Steuart & Company joined a CWEIC delegation to Nigeria and Kenya to explore trade and expansion opportunities across tea, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, digital trade and other sectors. The visit included the Manufacturing Africa CEO Forum, KIAC meeting, an Equity Group roadshow and meetings with Lagos officials and industry partners.

Ninewells Hospital launched Ninewells Eye, billed as Sri Lanka's first fully integrated eye care centre, featuring two dedicated eye surgery theatres, advanced diagnostics (OCT, visual field, lasers), optical services and an on-site pharmacy. The centre provides adult and paediatric outpatient care, same-floor admission-to-discharge flow and a VIP lounge.

DFCC Bank has partnered with Singhe Hospitals PLC to offer islandwide preferential healthcare benefits to DFCC Garusaru Senior Citizen Savings Account holders, covering specialist consultations, diagnostics, selected procedures, room concessions and ambulance/transport across Singhe’s network.

The Cabinet approved seven new Industry Consultancy Committees covering indigenous medicine, confectionery, traditional handicrafts, chicken-related industries, ornamental fish and seaweed, creative crafts and event management to strengthen policy coordination and industry participation. Each committee will have up to 25 members from state bodies, industry and academia.

The Jaffna International Trade Fair will return 23–25 January 2026 at Muttraweli Ground, featuring 400+ stalls; last year the event attracted 78,452 visitors and 5,000 invited business delegates.

India pledged a $450m reconstruction package for Sri Lanka—$350m in concessional lines of credit and $100m in grants—to support recovery from Cyclone Ditwah. Assistance will target roads, bridges, housing, health and education, agriculture and disaster-response, with India also encouraging tourism and FDI.

Cabinet approved resumption of eight stalled hospital projects at a revised total State cost of Rs.16.223 billion. Most projects are now targeted for completion by end-2028, with revisions adding Rs.9.508 billion to public finances versus original estimates.

Dividend · Rs 2.00 · XD Jan 6, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 2/share; XD 2026-01-06; record 2026-01-06; payable 2026-01-26; FY 31-12-2025

India will provide a comprehensive assistance package to Sri Lanka for relief and rehabilitation after Cyclone Ditwah, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sent as Special Envoy to coordinate implementation. The support follows 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' which delivered immediate relief and emergency services.

India committed US$450 million to Sri Lanka for Cyclone Ditwah recovery, comprising US$350m in concessional lines of credit and US$100m in grants to rebuild roads, railways, bridges, houses, health services and rehabilitate agriculture.

The National Initiative for the Commercialisation of Research and Development (NIRDC) awarded over LKR 227 million to nine projects selected in Q1, with Bank of Ceylon providing funds under MoUs and disbursements tied to project KPIs. Projects span AI, energy supercapacitors, tea and cinnamon processing, coconut oil testing, kitul beverages, export knitting and soil microbial inputs.

World Bank's GRADE estimates Cyclone Ditwah caused US$4.1 billion in direct physical damage in Sri Lanka (about 4% of GDP). Infrastructure accounted for US$1.735bn, agriculture US$814m and residential US$985m; the World Bank has mobilized up to US$120m for recovery.

Nawaloka Hospitals PLC (NHL.N0000) marks 40 years of operations, emphasizing patient-centred care and responsible growth while highlighting recent integration of advanced and AI-supported medical technologies to improve diagnostics and clinical workflows.

Flemingo Duty Free pledged LKR 1 million to the National Cancer Hospital (Apeksha Hospital), Maharagama, through the KickCancerThon initiative. The donation was announced at the ICA International Marathon on 14 December 2025 and will support the hospital’s Surgical Department.

The Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes appointed a new Governing Council for 2025–2027, naming Raveen Wickramasinghe as President. The council includes representatives from Asiri, Nawaloka, Lanka, Ceylon and Singhe hospitals and will focus on policy advocacy, quality and capacity building.

IMF approved US$206 million in emergency RFI financing for Sri Lanka to address urgent balance-of-payments and fiscal needs from Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability. The Fifth Review under the EFF is deferred and an IMF mission will visit in early 2026 to resume discussions.

SJB MP S.M. Marikkar criticised the Government's Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate for post-Ditwah recovery, saying the RDA alone needs Rs. 190 b and the CEB Rs. 50 b and that unofficial infrastructure damages may exceed Rs. 900 b.