News & market updates

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.

Dividend · Rs 7.00 · XD Jun 30, 2026

First And Final dividend of LKR 7/share; XD 2026-06-30; record 2026-06-30; payable 2026-07-17; FY ended 31st March 2026

Export Development Board will expand testing and certification facilities islandwide to boost export competitiveness, planning to modernise provincial labs, utilise underused facilities, pursue public–private partnerships and digital certification; next step is mapping exporter needs and provider capacities.

The IMF completed its combined Fifth and Sixth reviews under Sri Lanka's EFF and released US$695m, bringing total IMF disbursements to US$2.4bn. The IMF cut 2026 growth to 3.0% and warned that higher fuel costs, a sharp drop in tourism and cyclone damage have flipped the current account to a projected 0.5% of GDP deficit.

Hayleys Plantations (Hayleys PLC group) was recognised among Sri Lanka’s most awarded corporate groups in 2025; Talawakelle Tea Estates ranked No.1 nationally, Kelani Valley Plantations No.3 and Horana Plantations No.15. LMD highlighted the group's sustainability and ESG leadership.

IBCSL will lead a national business delegation to the 4th China‑South Asia Standardisation Cooperation Conference in Chengdu from 8–10 July. The forum aims to harmonise product, service and technical standards with China to reduce non‑tariff barriers and certification costs for Sri Lankan exporters in tea, apparel, gems & jewellery, rubber and IT services.

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.

Sri Lanka's Export Development Board plans to expand and decentralize testing and certification facilities island-wide to ease exporters' bottlenecks, proposing modernization of provincial labs, greater use of underutilized facilities, public–private partnerships and digital certification.

The Export Development Board (EDB) will expand testing and certification facilities islandwide to address centralization in Colombo and boost export competitiveness. Plans include modernizing provincial government labs, maximizing underused facilities, public–private partnerships, and digitising the certification process.

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.

Sunshine Holdings reported consolidated FY26 revenue of Rs.65.9 billion, up 11.2% YoY. PAT was Rs.5.0 billion (down 2.5% YoY) as NMRA pricing cuts weighed on healthcare margins, and the group acquired a majority stake in Joint Agri Products Ceylon Ltd to bolster exports.

Sri Lanka intends to apply to retain GSP+ privileges to maintain and expand preferential EU market access, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe said. He added GSP+ has been very beneficial, there is untapped export potential in Europe, and political leaders have given positive signals.

EU Ambassador Carmen Moreno urged Sri Lanka to reapply for the EU's next GSP+, saying duty-free access boosted exports but fell short of driving industrialisation and calling for reforms and investment to boost competitiveness. Sri Lanka plans a National Export Development Plan targeting $36bn in exports by 2030.

Pink Eagle Holdings (Pvt) Ltd is expanding its diversified group globally across tea exports, logistics, food manufacturing, hospitality and digital retail, highlighting Continental Tea's ADRA Ceylon 10th anniversary and launches such as the Avanti freight app and Pink Panda marketplace.

Sunshine Holdings (SUN) reported FY26 consolidated revenue of LKR 65.9bn, up 11.2% YoY, while PAT fell 2.5% to LKR 5.0bn and EBIT margins eased amid healthcare pricing pressure. The Group cited NMRA pricing cuts, acquired a majority stake in JAPC, and saw Watawala's palm oil revenue rise 23.6%.

Dividend · Rs 0.12 · XD Jun 26, 2026

First And Final dividend of LKR 0.12/share; XD 2026-06-26; record 2026-06-29; payable 2026-07-16; FY ending 31st December 2025

The National Chamber of Exporters is pressing for a clear timeline as Sri Lanka's accession to the Madrid Protocol remains in the legislative phase, with the Legal Draftsman's Department finalising required statutory amendments and NIPO set to prepare an Action Plan once the draft is submitted. Joining the Madrid system would let exporters seek international trademark protection via a single application, lowering costs for sectors like tea, apparel, spices, gems, IT services and processed foods.

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.

The IRD issued revised guidelines (Gazette No. 2481/17 dated 26 Mar 2026), effective retrospectively from 1 Oct 2025, changing VAT Risk-Based Refund taxpayer classifications and using five-year data and prior audit findings; more taxpayers may be classed high-risk and face pre-audits that can delay refunds beyond the 45-day window.

The Board of Investment launched the 'Ready to Invest' digital platform showcasing 30 pre-structured, shovel-ready projects across eight priority sectors to attract international capital. BOI says USD 1.9bn of approved projects are ready to break ground, with a further USD 1.4bn in the pipeline.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.50% to 22,309.23 midday Friday, with turnover Rs.240.5m and capital goods leading turnover at Rs.94.3m. Top movers included Access Engineering, Aitken Spence (declared Rs.4 tax-exempt dividend), Hemas and Central Finance while SMB Finance, Watawala, John Keells and Windforce fell.

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.

The BOI launched 'Ready to Invest', a digital platform showcasing over $3bn of investor-ready projects across eight priority sectors. BOI said Sri Lanka attracted $1.06bn FDI in 2025 and about $1.9bn of BOI-approved projects are set to commence, led by urban/mixed-use ($970m), manufacturing ($650m), tourism ($400m) and logistics ($385m).

The Cabinet approved mandatory SL-GAP certification, plus use of registered exporters and approved processing/packaging facilities, for all fresh fruit and vegetable exports to the EU after EU tests found pesticide residues above permitted MRLs. The measure aims to strengthen testing, traceability and food-safety compliance to protect EU market access.

Dividend · Rs 0.80 · XD Jun 26, 2026

Final dividend of LKR 0.8/share; XD 2026-06-26; record 2026-06-29; payable 2026-07-16; FY ending 31st March 2026

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.

ADRA Ceylon marks its 10th anniversary, having grown from a bulk exporter into a premium Ceylon tea exporter delivering to over 37 countries and securing certifications including ISO 22000, HACCP, Rainforest Alliance and FDA approval. The company plans 5–6 new international branches and further factory and product expansion.