News & market updates

The ASPI edged up 0.01% to 22,256.49 with turnover above Rs.1.56bn and foreign investors net-selling Rs.225mn. Hemas, NDB and Hayleys Fibre were top turnover contributors (Hemas and Hayleys up, Panasian Power down).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat, with the ASPI up 0.01% at 22,256.49 and the S&P SL20 down 0.03% at 6,193.65. Top positives were LB Finance, National Development Bank, Aitken Spence and Nawaloka; declines came from Melstacorp, Central Finance, Sunshine and Windforce; turnover Rs 1.56bn.

Sri Lanka ranked 49th in Travel And Tour World’s Top 50 Medical Tourism Destinations for 2026. The ranking highlights its integrated healthcare journeys combining advanced clinical services (cardiology, oncology, fertility) with Ayurveda and recovery hubs in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Bentota.

Sri Lanka's NCPI inflation rose to 5.4% in May 2026 from 4.7% in April. Food inflation increased to 1.5% and non-food inflation to 8.6%; the 12-month moving average rose to 2.4% and the NCPI was up 1.2% month-on-month.

Joseph Fraser Hospital highlights its expertise and advanced maternal and neonatal care — including a NICU, HDU, modern labour suites, upgraded operating theatres, a blood bank and laboratory — and notes Dr. Rameez Furukan's role in managing high-risk pregnancies and specialist training.

Aurum HealthTech's Dr. Paw platform provided real-time digital health monitoring and a centralized electronic health record for 'Aloka' during a peace walk from Anuradhapura to Colombo; a comprehensive digital health report was presented to DAPH, SLVA and University of Peradeniya officials.

Softlogic Life (AAIC.N0000) reported Rs.40bn Gross Written Premiums in 2025 and Rs.12.3bn GWP in Q1-2026 (37% YoY), with 19.3% market share and total assets of Rs.76bn as at March 31, 2026. It announced the Allianz Life acquisition, a USD15m DFI investment, digital investments and launched 'Health for Life', a lifetime health coverage product.

Huawei launched the Alliance on Healthcare & Education AI Digitalization 2.0 (“AHEAD”) at its 2026 Global Education & Healthcare Partners Convention to drive AI-led collaboration and digital transformation in education and healthcare. The Partner Alliance 2.0 will focus on trend insight, empowerment, solution co-creation, marketing, opportunity sharing and expansion.

A Peking University delegation led by Prof. Wang Weijia held high-level meetings in Colombo to explore deeper Sri Lanka–China cooperation, prioritizing trade and FDI in logistics, energy, tourism and Port City Colombo and potential areas like high‑tech manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

UN projects that by 2050 one in four Sri Lankans will be over 60, and districts already show sizable retirement-cost gaps (Colombo needs Rs. 18,044/month vs Monaragala Rs. 15,997 as of Jan 2026). Rising inflation, healthcare costs and outward migration are straining retiree incomes, and the piece highlights life insurers as providers of structured retirement solutions.

The Computer Society of Sri Lanka hosted the CSSL National CIO Forum 2026 and unveiled the CIO List 2025 at Shangri‑La Colombo, convening 150+ senior leaders from banks, telecoms, conglomerates and healthcare to emphasise CIOs' role in digital transformation and AI governance.

Marlbo Trading Company has introduced Holmatro Rescue's advanced rescue equipment to Sri Lanka and will host a seminar with live demonstrations to train fire, rescue, police, military and other emergency responders.

Wickramarachchi Opticians and Hearing Care celebrates its 50th anniversary, operating more than 50 branches nationwide. The company comprises four divisions (optical, hearing, speech-language pathology and biomedical equipment) and has supported over 1,100 cochlear implant procedures since 2004.

ASPI jumped 3.43% (743.22 pts) to 22,380.65 as markets rallied on signs of a possible end to the Middle East war, with index-weighted counters SAMP, COMB, JKH, MELS and DIAL among top contributors; turnover exceeded Rs.4bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.21.1m).

Kayden Cares Framework calls for national action after a fatal fire at an overcrowded, unregistered elderly care home in Horana. It aims to develop care standards, training, quality assurance and digital tools and is inviting care providers and partners to join its national platform.

Sri Lanka's real GDP grew 5.1% year-on-year in Q1 2026 to Rs. 3,652,503 million (2015 prices). Growth was led by industry (+7.2%)—notably construction (+16.3%) and mining (+19.5%)—while services rose 3.4% (insurance, IT, financial services) and agriculture grew 1.1%.

Ceylinco Life warns Sri Lanka is ageing rapidly, creating district-level retirement gaps; Colombo's essential needs cost about Rs. 18,044/month (Jan 2026) while the national poverty line reached Rs. 16,730 by April 2026. Life insurers can offer structured retirement solutions as healthcare access, inflation and migration widen pressures.

The India–Sri Lanka Binational Bridge and Tunnel proposal — a ~23 km link estimated to cost US$3.6–5.19bn — could lift tourism by 50–70% and cut some transport costs by up to 50%, reshaping trade, logistics and connectivity. Sri Lanka has paused advancement over technical, environmental and sovereignty concerns.

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said authorities are reviewing requests to raise medicine prices amid rising import and production costs and exchange-rate movements. The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry warned supply-chain pressures, higher freight and fuel charges and rupee depreciation risk medicine shortages.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.89% (191.45 points) to 21,270.02. Bank stocks led declines with DFCC, Commercial Bank and National Development Bank among top negatives, while Ambeon, Melstacorp and Asiri gained; Asia Asset Finance filed a rights issue to raise Rs1.5bn.

Asiri Hospital Holdings' Asiri Central Hospital has completed over 200 successful kidney transplants with a success rate exceeding 98%. The centre uses multidisciplinary specialist teams and advanced protocols/infrastructure to provide local transplant care and reduce the need for overseas treatment.

Technoli Institute held an AI-Powered Business Executive programme on 3 June 2026 at Jetwing Colombo Seven with Trident/Microsoft, Flash Health and Jetwing partners, where senior managers built live AI agents and learned AI decision frameworks, security and ethics.

KOKO has joined Mastercard's 'Tap for Change' campaign to channel contactless and KOKO-powered e-commerce transactions into fundraising for the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital. The partnership aims to boost contactless payment adoption and let consumers contribute to cancer care via everyday purchases.

Sri Lanka's BOI and Japanese partners held the 4th working-level Japan–Sri Lanka Committee on Business Environment on 2 June 2026 in Colombo to review and resolve investor concerns and strengthen FDI ties. The session stressed accountability and priorities such as technology transfer, green industry, manufacturing and tourism.

The DRC's Ebola outbreak and WHO emergency declaration prompted the US to impose a 21-day isolation rule on the DRC World Cup team and supporters, leading many fans to reroute travel to Mexico. China deployed a five-member medical expert team to assist DRC's Ebola response.

The Ceylon Chamber will hold the 26th Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit on 12–13 October, focused on economic growth, competitiveness, investment and structural reforms. Sessions will cover trade and regional integration, energy security, digital transformation and healthcare.

Round Table Sri Lanka reached over 64,800 people with relief, deploying LKR 21 million in hygiene supplies and 18,000 household packs after Cyclone Ditwah caused an estimated US$4.1 billion in damage and displaced millions. The fellowship used corporate-style logistics, airlifts and distribution hubs and is moving into Phase 3 recovery to rebuild rural schools.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold the 26th Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit on 12–13 October 2026. The Summit will focus on economic growth, investment, trade, fiscal and structural reforms, energy security and sustainability, healthcare, and digital transformation.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold the 26th Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit on Oct 12-13 to focus on pressing national priorities including economic growth, investment, trade, fiscal and structural reforms, energy security, healthcare and digital transformation.

Kings Hospital Colombo has completed 25 adult living-donor liver transplants since launching its program in early 2025, expanding local access to advanced liver transplant care and reducing reliance on overseas treatment.