News & market updates

Access Solar and Access Real Estate have named javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga as their corporate brand ambassador in a sponsorship running through the 2028 Olympic Games. The partnership will provide financial and logistical support for Tharanga and his coach and is presented as part of the Access Group's commitment to sports development.

The 14th World Construction Symposium and Sustainability Awards Scheme 2026 will be held at the Hilton Colombo on 10–11 July, attracting over 100 research paper submissions and industry participants. The events will showcase innovation and honour achievements across Sri Lanka's construction sector.

Arcasia Investment & Trading and ATX Partners will acquire a 50.16% controlling stake (1,880,693,010 shares) in Industrial Asphalts (ASPH.N0000), triggering a mandatory offer for the remaining ordinary voting shares; offer terms await SEC approval.

Industrial Asphalts sold 1,800,693,010 shares (48.03% control) to Arcasia Investment & Trading and ATX Partners (agreement dated July 7); trading was halted and the stock last traded at 50 cents.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell for a sixth straight session as the ASPI dropped 0.54% to 21,962.30. Turnover exceeded Rs.1.5bn with foreigners net sellers of Rs.185m; major drags included Melstacorp, John Keells, Carson Cumberbatch and CIC Holdings, while Access Engineering and Chevron Lubricants featured among top contributors.

Colombo bourse fell with the ASPI down 0.61% to 21,828.50, led by capital goods turnover; Industrial Asphalts jumped 60% after agreeing to sell a 48.03% controlling stake. Hela Apparel’s subsidiary signed a management services agreement amid working capital challenges.

Exhibitor registration for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is open until 31 July 2026. The expo runs 14–17 Jan 2027 at BMICH with 650 booths across 25 sectors and offers opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers.

Ceylinco Life has commenced construction of its 36th company-owned branch in Kirindiwela, a 3,440 sq ft eco-friendly building planned to operate on a 100% self-sufficient solar system. The branch will use local prefabricated technology and include rainwater harvesting, an STP and energy-efficient systems.

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.

The Price Index for New Condominiums in Colombo rose 18.5% year-on-year to 284.4 in Q1 2026. Sales volume fell 15.2% YoY even as luxury unit market share (>Rs75m) jumped to 29% and completed-project inventory is nearly exhausted (98% sold).

JAT Holdings (JAT.N0000) has broken ground on the Rs. 4 billion JAT Astera Residencies in Thalawathugoda, a 12-storey project of 104 apartments and six penthouses, with piling work started by Sincon Piling.

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.

Sanath Manatunge, MD/CEO of Commercial Bank, was appointed Chairman of the Employers' Federation of Ceylon at its 97th AGM, with Dinal Peiris of Lanka Aluminium Industries named Vice Chairman. The EFC said it will continue to support labour law reforms and responsible business initiatives.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board has kept online exhibitor registration for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 open until 31 July 2026. The expo will run 14–17 January 2027 at BMICH with 650 booths and opportunities to meet over 1,500 global buyers across 25 sectors.

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.

CIPM convened a roundtable of 30 stakeholders to address Sri Lanka's widening skills gap, noting shortages across IT, tourism, construction, manufacturing and healthcare and recommending industry-academia partnerships, vocational reforms and upskilling initiatives.

The government launched 'Badhu Shakthi 2026' National Tax Week, a year-long initiative to boost state revenue and voluntary tax compliance with a countrywide awareness campaign (National Tax Week observed 6–10 July). Officials said higher tax revenue is being used to finance infrastructure and disaster relief, citing Rs.500 billion for Cyclone Ditwah response.

Colombo Port City plans to use the SEZ as a regulatory sandbox to trial labour market reforms, arguing rigid employment laws deter entrepreneurship. Since Jan 2025 the Commission has executed leases for four parcels, with six developments under construction (~$500m) and 185 licensed businesses employing ~15,000.

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.

Sri Lanka and China EXIM Bank aim to sign an amended financing agreement for the Central Expressway Project (Section I, Kadawatha–Mirigama) by end‑August 2026, subject to internal approvals. The talks also covered broader development cooperation and priority sectors including tourism, logistics, energy and IT.

INFRACON 2026 opened at BMICH in Colombo and runs through Sunday; the exhibition brings regional exhibitors in HVAC-R, power & energy (including green energy), safe water management and building materials to promote trade, investment and technology in Sri Lanka's infrastructure and construction sectors.

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).

China EXIM Bank Vice President Yang Dongning met Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Finance on 2 July 2026 to review and expedite the amended financing agreement for the Central Expressway Project (CEP-1) Section I, targeting signature before end‑August 2026. They also discussed cooperation to support tourism, value-added manufacturing, logistics, energy, IT and higher-education links.

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.

CBSL survey: the Price Index for new condominiums in Colombo District rose 18.5% YoY to 284.4 in 1Q 2026 while the Condominium Property Sales Volume Index fell 15.2% YoY. Demand shifted toward higher-priced units, most completed units are sold and 51% of units in ongoing projects are reserved; asking price indices for land, houses and condominiums rose 31.9%, 6.4% and 11% YoY.

Realised FDI reached about $250m in 1H and BOI Director General Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena outlined a reform agenda including a digital single-window approval platform targeted this year, an Investment Protection Act, and land and skills reforms to boost investor confidence.

Groundworth is promoting land as a mid-term investment, saying its developed plots have historically appreciated 20–30% a year and can be resold within 1–2 years. The company uses a five-point site selection standard and delivers developed, gated communities and turnkey homes.