News & market updates

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.

MO Marketplace, a Sri Lankan e-commerce app live since June 2024, combines escrow-protected payments, managed island-wide delivery and a flat 10% commission, and has 45,000 downloads with 14,000 registered users. The platform plans AI listing tools and video-led selling by mid-2026.

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.

Sri Lanka said it will deepen cooperation with France and the EU as AFD marks 20 years in the country, seeking expanded collaboration on sustainable development including green energy, urban and water infrastructure, digital transformation and maritime cooperation.

Colombo International Container Terminals handled a 2,241-tonne Battery Energy Storage System shipment of 54 units for Sri Lanka’s largest energy storage programme, to be deployed across 16 substations to support grid stability and a 70% renewable target by 2030.

EU-funded UNIDO project has revised Sri Lanka’s National Green Reporting System guidelines, aligning them with GRI standards to help public and private organisations better measure and report ESG data. The updated NGRS aims to improve transparency, compliance with global requirements and access to international markets.

EU supported the launch of Sri Lanka’s revised National Green Reporting System Guidelines, aligned with GRI standards and officially launched by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The voluntary framework aims to strengthen ESG reporting and transparency across manufacturing, commercial and service sectors to help firms meet global market requirements.

State-owned enterprises' combined profit fell 17.6% to Rs. 444.4 billion in 2025, driven by the Ceylon Electricity Board's swing to a Rs. 38.7 billion loss. Excluding CEB, the remaining 50 SOEs posted a 21.5% rise in profits to Rs. 483.2 billion, with Bank of Ceylon the top contributor and several SOE and power-sector reforms advanced.

Goldsmiths, University of London has partnered with BCAS Campus to deliver British undergraduate programmes in Computer Science, Business Management, Psychology and Law in Sri Lanka, with enrolments open for an inaugural intake starting September 2026.

Pink Eagle Holdings is consolidating as a diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate, expanding globally across tea exports, logistics, food manufacturing, hospitality and digital retail. Milestones include Continental Tea/ADRA Ceylon's 10th anniversary, the Avanti freight app launch, and new food-manufacturing and retail initiatives.

ASPI fell 0.75% (166.55 pts) to 22,011.10, extending losses to a third session with turnover over Rs.2bn and foreigners net sellers of Rs.410.26mn. Negative contributors included Dialog, Sampath, Ceylon Beverage, Ceylon Cold Stores and Colombo Dockyard; Teejay Lanka, John Keells and Commercial Bank led turnover.

Padel House has taken on two strategic investors—Mahela Jayawardene and Trade Promoters Ltd.—with M Power Capital Securities providing sell-side advisory. The transaction signals growing investor interest in lifestyle, sports and experiential businesses in Sri Lanka and increased demand for corporate finance advisory.

Colombo Stock Exchange slid midday as the ASPI fell 0.91% (200.70 pts) to 21,810 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.96% to 6,039. Hemas and Colombo Dockyard were positive contributors while Dialog Axiata, HNB, Commercial Bank and John Keells were top decliners; United Motors Lanka announced a 40 cents/share dividend.

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.

The US has announced new 10–12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners over forced-labour concerns, a group that accounts for about 99.4% of US imports. The measure follows an investigation finding the countries failed to prohibit or enforce bans on goods made with forced labour.

Hayleys' wind arm received the first 25 MW of turbines for the 50 MW Mannar wind farm, with components landing at Trincomalee Port and transfers to the Mannar site to continue over the next three months. The project is expected to deliver about Rs.100 billion in imported fuel savings over 20 years.

The EU urged Sri Lanka to develop a pipeline of bankable infrastructure projects and promoted its Global Gateway financing model—target expanded to €400bn by 2027—to fund ports, logistics, digitalisation and green infrastructure using blended finance and guarantees, stressing project preparation and regulatory predictability.

President’s Special Envoy for Foreign Investment Hanif Yusoof met US Under Secretary Jacob Helberg in Washington to promote US investment in Sri Lanka, highlighting opportunities in ports, logistics, energy and data centres.

Gamer.LK hosted the seventh Women’s Cyber Games 2026 in Colombo with a Rs. 100,000 prize pool; Soul of Devils were crowned Best Clan after winning multiple titles across mobile, PC, console and VR events.

The Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL) renewed its partnership with the London International Awards (LIA) to give Sri Lankan agencies, brands and creatives access to international awards, mentorship (Creative LIAisons) and a 35% entry discount for 2026.

Continental Cars & Commercials launched the Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus in Sri Lanka at BMICH on 28 May 2026, introducing Volkswagen passenger vehicles to the market. The launch, with Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, includes plans for showrooms, after‑sales infrastructure and technical training.

KPMG in Sri Lanka appointed Sachiru Dayananda as Partner effective 1 June 2026. He has 14 years of experience at KPMG, wide industry exposure (including financial services, plantations, healthcare and hospitality) and expertise in LKAS/SLFRS and IFRS implementations.

Colombo market fell for a second day as ASPI slipped 0.39% to 22,177.65 and the S&P SL20 eased 0.32% to 6,130.65 on turnover of Rs.2.01bn. Notable moves: Ceylon Cold Stores, Haycarb and Pan Asia Banking gained, John Keells was flat, with mixed or retail interest in several other stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell with the ASPI down 0.39% after the Central Bank raised the Overnight Policy Rate by 100 basis points to 8.75%. Kerner Haus Global Solutions (CPRT.N0000) filed a rights issue to raise 420.12 million rupees (10,502,975 shares at Rs.40).

Exterminators PLC reported a FY2025–26 turnaround to a net profit of Rs.20.67m (from a Rs.11.83m loss), a 275% increase in net profit and a 354% rise in EPS. The company said AI and digitalisation drove a 20% expansion in gross profit through operational efficiencies.

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.

Exterminators PLC (EXT.N0000) reported a 275% increase in net profit for FY2025–26, swinging from a Rs.11.83m loss in FY2024–25 to a Rs.20.67m profit and total comprehensive income of Rs.32.35m. The company attributed the turnaround to AI integration, digitalisation and operational efficiency gains that also lifted gross profit by 20%.

Container Transport Owners Association increased container transport charges by 5% effective 1 June, citing higher fuel costs after the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation raised fuel prices on 31 May. The move will raise logistics costs for importers and exporters nationwide.