News & market updates

Amana Takaful Life PLC appointed Pradeep Dilshan Rajeeva Hettiaratchi and Dev Nissanka Wijewardane as Independent Non-Executive Directors. Hettiaratchi brings 30+ years in finance and renewable energy experience; Wijewardane brings 20+ years in IT, digital transformation and enterprise governance.

Ceylinco Life signed an MoU with FTZMA to be the insurance service provider for FTZMA member companies, offering customised employee health and retirement plans; Ceylinco Life and Ceylinco General will also be FTZMA AGM gold sponsors for three consecutive years starting 2026.

Sri Lanka’s rupee weakened to 336.00/338.00 vs the US dollar in the spot market (from 336.90/337.50), while bond yields were largely steady; government bonds quoted e.g. 01.07.2028 at 11.85/12.00, 01.08.2030 at 12.25/12.35 and 15.03.2035 at 13.20/13.30. ASPI opened up 0.20% at 21,804.

Sri Lanka sold 1,050 million rupees of Treasury bills on tap at an average rate of 10.02%, bringing this week's total bills sold to 112,214 million rupees; settlement is June 5.

Allianz Insurance Lanka has partnered with Dedigama Group to let Dedigama branch staff islandwide collect insurance information and premiums and print temporary insurance certificates, expanding customer access through over 350 pawning outlets.

Colombo Stock Exchange will host a free online workshop on 23 June 2026 (1:00–4:30pm) to guide corporates on implementing the ISSB/IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS S1 and S2). Sri Lanka adopted SLFRS S1/S2 effective 1 Jan 2025, with phased mandatory compliance across listed entities through 2027.

Sri Lanka's Treasury bill yields rose across maturities at Wednesday's auction, with 111.1 billion rupees sold of 140 billion offered. The 3-month yield rose 48bps to 9.84%, the 6-month 33bps to 10.01% and the 12-month 19bps to 10.02%.

The IRCSL hosted the OECD–ADBI roundtable in Colombo and unveiled a new vision and roadmap aiming to double Sri Lanka's insurance penetration to 3% of GDP by 2030/2035. The two-day forum brings policymakers and industry together to discuss regulatory reform, climate risk and data-driven insurance solutions.

LOLC Holdings PLC reported a 49% increase in results from operating activities to Rs.71.5 billion for FY2026. Gross income rose 28% to Rs.430.3 billion, with the financial services segment contributing Rs.51.7 billion and strong gains across manufacturing, plantations and insurance.

LOLC Holdings PLC reported a 49% rise in results from operating activities to Rs. 71.5 billion for the year ended 31 March 2026, with gross income up 28% to Rs. 430.3 billion. Financial services (Rs. 51.7bn), stronger manufacturing/trading and a return to profitability in plantations underpinned the performance.

Secondary bond market ended the week bullish, with yields falling about 20–35bps on Friday after US‑Iran ceasefire optimism and Sri Lanka securing IMF 'Super Tranche' approval, despite a 100bp policy-rate hike earlier in the week. Foreign holdings fell Rs.7.33bn to Rs.126.10bn; money-market surplus dropped to Rs.92.15bn and call/repo rates rose to 9.10%/9.13%.

Foreign investors sold a net US$22.55 million (Rs 7,328 million) of Sri Lanka government securities in the week ended May 27, central bank data showed. The outflow is the third consecutive weekly net outflow (over US$51m) amid rupee weakness and a recent 100bp policy rate hike after a 35% fuel price rise.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared 15 categories of public services — including electricity, fuel distribution, healthcare, transport, ports/airports, water, telecoms, banking and insurance — as essential under the Essential Public Services Act to ensure uninterrupted services in post-disaster conditions.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.50% to 22,310.80, with diversified financials leading turnover at Rs.3.89bn and total turnover Rs.7.38bn. Aitken Spence reported Q1 profit of Rs.3.81bn and declared a tax-exempt Rs.4.00/share dividend; Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings declared a Rs.0.28/share tax-exempt dividend.

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited launched the 'SLICGL Digital' mobile app, allowing customers to access motor policy details, track claims, renew policies and download a digital motor card in line with IRCSL guidelines effective May 1, 2026; the app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Colombo stocks recovered after the CBSL hiked policy rates by 100bps, with the ASPI up 0.11% at 22,199.23 and turnover around Rs.1.86bn. DIAL, CCS, BREW, CARS and NDB were top positive contributors; VLL saw net foreign buying while AAIC saw net foreign selling and Food & Beverage led turnover.

Sri Lanka sold all offered Rs240 billion of 2030, 2033 and 2035 government bonds at average yields of 11.86%, 12.32% and 12.93% respectively; all three issues are available on tap.

John Keells Holdings (JKH) posted Group EBITDA of Rs.80.01 billion for FY2025/26, up 75%. Recurring profit attributable rose 155% to Rs.13.24 billion; group units Nations Trust Bank (NTB) and Union Assurance (UAL) also reported improved results, with NTB completing the HSBC Sri Lanka retail acquisition.

John Keells Holdings reported FY2025/26 Group EBITDA of Rs.80.01bn (up 75%), recurring PBT of Rs.35.72bn (up 143%) and recurring profit attributable of Rs.13.24bn, and declared a final interim dividend of 10 cents to bring FY26 total to 30 cents (Rs.4.42bn). The group cited broad-based contributions from Retail, Transportation and Leisure, and noted improved performance at NTB and double-digit premium growth at Union Assurance.

Colombo market closed down 0.85% at 22,175.14 after the CBSL raised the policy rate by 100bps and amid heightened Middle East tensions. Foreign investors were net sellers of over Rs.3bn, turnover was Rs.4.93bn with AAIC crossings accounting for about Rs.3.1bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.54% to 22,294.71 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.61%. Top contributors included Dialog Axiata, Ceylon Cold Stores, NDB and Bairaha Farms while Hemas, Lion Brewery and Sampath Bank lagged; Jetwing Symphony declared a final dividend of Rs0.50 and closed at Rs14.30 (+2.88%).

SLYCAN Trust held a Lighthouse Event on 21 May 2026 in Colombo to discuss strengthening climate and disaster risk finance and financial protection for communities, businesses and public institutions. The forum highlighted roles for commercial banks, insurers and sector-specific needs in tourism, agriculture and apparel.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka will host the OECD–ADBI Roundtable on Insurance and Retirement Savings on 2–3 June 2026 at The Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, bringing global policymakers and regulators; the event will raise exposure for Sri Lanka's insurance/pension sector and showcase the hospitality/tourism industry.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.85% to 22,175.14, with market turnover at Rs.4.92bn and insurance stocks leading turnover at Rs.3.18bn. Top gainers included Ceylon Beverage (+5.20%), Lion Brewery (+3.06%) and Ceylon Guardian (+5.43%), while Sampath Bank, Hayleys and HNB were top decliners.

The central bank hiked rates 100bp to 8.75%, and the Colombo Stock Exchange fell with the ASPI down 0.51% to 22,249.88; market turnover was Rs.2.99bn with insurance leading at Rs.2.6bn. Lanka Ashok Leyland proposed a final dividend of Rs30/share and Lighthouse Hotel declared a final dividend of Rs3/share.

HNB General Insurance appointed Dilshan Perera as Chief Operating Officer. Perera, formerly the insurer's Chief Transformation Officer with 20+ years' experience in digital transformation and insurance, will lead operational and strategic initiatives at the HNB Life PLC subsidiary.