News & market updates

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed down for a second session as the ASPI fell 0.43% (103.17 pts) to 23,651.09 with turnover over Rs.3.54bn and foreign net selling of Rs.465.9mn. Top negatives included SFCL, CARG, CFIN and DOCK, while RAL and EMER were among gainers.

EDB met with Hong Kong's Honorary Consul on 6 Feb 2026 to strengthen trade ties and expand buyer-seller linkages, highlighting Ceylon Tea's market potential in Hong Kong. They promoted Sri Lanka Expo 2026 (18–21 June at BMICH) and invited a Hong Kong buyer delegation to boost export opportunities.

Hambantota International Port received 2,171 passengers aboard the MV Celebrity Millennium from Phuket, marking a large Thai cruise call and signalling Thailand as a growing market for Sri Lanka's cruise tourism. Passengers visited southern attractions and the ship will proceed to Colombo.

Sri Lanka will make sustainability reporting mandatory by 2028 for private companies with revenue above Rs. 10 billion, with the top 100 CSE-listed firms required to comply from 2025 under IFRS S1/S2. Parallel National Environmental Act reforms introduce strategic environmental assessment, load-based licensing and extended producer responsibility, and require board-level ownership of climate risks.

Hayleys Group held its Chairman’s Awards 2025, naming Haycarb PLC the Overall Winner for its specialty activated carbon for silicon‑carbon anodes for lithium‑ion batteries. Hayleys Fabric PLC won an ESG award for a Smart Energy Saving System (avoiding 159,600 kg CO₂e per machine annually) and group projects in coconut processing and logistics were also recognised.

Autodoc 360 (Pvt) Ltd has relocated to a larger, purpose-designed facility at No. 378/2/C, Koswatta Road, Rajagiriya to expand premium BMW and Mercedes‑Benz servicing with advanced diagnostic bays and a larger parts inventory. The workshop is staffed by technicians from authorised-dealership backgrounds and equipped with OEM-grade tools.

Colombo market opened in red as the ASPI fell 0.20% to 23,754.26 amid foreign net selling of Rs. 1.4 billion. Top negatives were JKH, SFCL, DOCK, TKYO and CARG, while LMF led food & beverage turnover and gained 9.08%.

Indian Acting High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey said Sri Lanka can leverage India’s growing trade and investment network to boost ports, renewable energy, connectivity and integrated supply chains. He highlighted Colombo Port’s handling efficiencies and urged aligning policies with India to diversify beyond apparel and tourism.

Sri Lanka Business Forum 2026 in Paris promoted government reforms to strengthen investor confidence and export-led growth. The forum highlighted Colombo Dockyard's collaboration with Orange Marine, noting the 2023-built cable vessel 'Sophie Germain' and two additional vessels scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.

Exterminators PLC launched an AI-powered 'Report Factory' to automate generation of service, audit and pest-risk reports, improving efficiency and quality assurance. The company will share the technology with other pest-control firms regionally and offer it to Sri Lankan field-service sectors and clients in food processing and hospitality.

Asia Siyaka Warehousing, a fully owned subsidiary of Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC (ASIY.N0000), became the world’s first tea logistics company to receive ZeroCarbon® certification. Its Muthurajawela warehouse also holds LEED and ISO 22000 certifications and can store up to 11 million kg of tea (29,000 pallet positions).

US President Donald Trump has cut tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, a change exporters say will immediately release held orders and significantly boost competitiveness and orders for Indian textiles, apparel, leather and footwear exporters.

Colombo stock market ended the week up as the ASPI rose 0.14% to 23,801.96 while year-to-date net foreign selling approached Rs. 11.8 billion. Turnover was nearly Rs. 9.1 billion, led by banks and large crossings (notably Commercial Bank) with gains in ACME, JKH, Sampath, HNB, KZOO, Colombo Dockyard and Teejay.

The CSE will launch a digital listing portal in 2026 and commit to a seven-day review timeline once requirements are met to accelerate IPOs; this push, aligned with the SEC roadmap and an expected accommodative monetary policy, aims to boost listings and market liquidity.

Sri Lanka's Export Development Board met US Embassy economic officials to explore expanding bilateral trade and investment, pursue tariff exemptions and promote participation in SelectUSA 2026 and Sri Lanka Expo 2026. Sri Lanka's exports to the US were $2,999.15m in 2025, up 3.07% year-on-year.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders announced a Mandatory Offer to acquire the remaining 58.27% of Colombo Dockyard at Rs.40 per share. Mazagon was allotted 164,916,229 shares (41.73%) after the rights issue, the MO is unconditional and the Offer Document will be sent within 35 days.

A Customs union meeting yesterday slowed or stopped cargo clearance from about 1 p.m., with officials saying the meeting lasted around two hours and operations resumed thereafter. Private-sector groups warned even short stoppages can delay shipments, raise demurrage costs and disrupt supply chains for time-sensitive imports/exports.

Senok Group has been reappointed as JCB's Authorized Dealer for the full JCB product range in Sri Lanka and remains reseller in the Maldives, restoring the partnership and offering nationwide sales, spare parts availability and after-sales service for construction and industrial machinery.

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (Elephant House) celebrated 160 years in January 2026, highlighting continued focus on innovation, sustainability, portfolio expansion and digitalisation under the John Keells Group.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board launched Edges of Sri Lanka alongside Sri Lanka Expo 2026 to promote exports and investment; the Expo will be held 18–21 June 2026 at BMICH to connect exporters with global buyers and investors. The initiative highlights strengths across agriculture, industry and digital services.

Emirates Flight Catering commissioned a large-scale Power Knot LFC-3000 biodigester to process food waste, projected to avoid more than 2,000 tCO₂e annually at full capacity and biological maturity. Since December 2025 it has processed up to 3.5 t/day (capacity may reach ~6 t/day) and EKFC also cited solar generation and EV rollouts.

Senthilverl Holdings increased its stake in Colombo Dockyard PLC to 12.20% after purchasing 14,139,831 shares on 30 Jan 2026 at prices between Rs.149.25 and Rs.155.25; the shares closed at Rs.152. Earlier in January, India’s Mazagon Dock acquired a 41.73% stake via a rights allotment.

The NCE pledged full support for the EDB after the board finalised the National Export Development Plan 2025-2029, with Sri Lanka's exports rising 5.6% to $17.25bn in 2025. Council members flagged labour shortages, need for the National Single Window, SME development and market-access concerns.

Event Management has been formally recognised as an industry after securing Cabinet approval, announced by the Event Management Association at its 7th AGM on 27 Jan 2026. EMA said the recognition will enable structured growth, better regulation and professional standards for the sector.

U.S. Embassy officials met with the Export Development Board to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, exploring tariff exemptions and inviting Sri Lankan exporters to SelectUSA 2026 and U.S. buyers to Sri Lanka Expo 2026; Sri Lanka's 2025 exports to the U.S. were USD 2,999.15m (up 3.07%).

Sri Lanka promoted Port City Colombo at an investor forum in Singapore on 27 Jan 2026, drawing about 100 senior invitees to showcase the SEZ's services-led investment opportunities and governance incentives. Officials highlighted macro stabilisation, legal reforms, and investor incentives including foreign currency freedoms and visa facilitation.

Port City Colombo Investor Forum in Singapore on 27 January positioned Port City Colombo as the centrepiece of Sri Lanka's economic transformation, attracting close to 100 senior invitees and promoting a services-led, export-oriented investment platform. Organisers and officials highlighted the CPCEC governance framework, fiscal incentives, FX exemptions and visa facilitation to boost foreign investment.

Solutions Ground Ltd and PR Wire Ltd have launched Sri Lanka’s first structured CSR and sustainability outsourcing collaboration, offering end-to-end CSR/ESG strategy, implementation, monitoring and communications services.

SLAEA Chair Rajitha Jayasuriya said Sri Lanka's apparel industry will prioritise deeper integration with India, quota-free access, accelerated automation and AI adoption, and urgent policy reforms in 2026 to strengthen regional supply chains and meet sustainability/traceability requirements.