News & market updates

Flood levels in most rivers and downstream of reservoirs have stabilized or are easing after Cyclone Ditwah and major irrigation works have survived, though Trincomalee remains high and a 200m stretch of the Elahera anicut was washed away.

Cyclone Ditwah killed 212 people, left 218 missing and extensively damaged infrastructure and farmland across Sri Lanka. Authorities report 206 roads made impassable, 10 bridges damaged, a downed 132kV pylon and flooded farmland, leaving about 998,918 affected and 147,931 homeless with fresh-vegetable supplies to the capital disrupted.

Japan is sending a 4-member team including JICA staff and medical personnel to Sri Lanka to assess Cyclone Ditwah damage and coordinate relief; the cyclone has killed 159, 203 are missing and 833,000 people were affected.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka held CATALYZE 2025 on 24 November, convening business leaders including John Keells, Aitken Spence, Hemas, Hayleys, DIMO and Kelani Valley Plantations to discuss digital supply chains, gender equality, climate action, water stewardship and other sustainability priorities.

Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TPL.N0000) was appointed Patron of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka's Climate Emergency Task Force and reported >30,800 GJ renewable generation and a 7% y/y emissions reduction (23,431 t CO2e). It invested >LKR 58m in reforestation, water security and energy-efficiency projects and is the first Sri Lankan plantation to assure SLFRS S1/S2 climate disclosures.

Sri Lanka's total exports in Jan–Oct 2025 reached $14.43bn, up 6% YoY, with merchandise exports $11.37bn (+6.53%) and services $3.06bn (+4.01%). Tea, apparel, coconut-based products, ICT/BPM and transport & logistics led the gains and the EDB remains confident of a $19bn 2025 target.

Sri Lanka's merchandise exports were essentially flat, rising 0.02% y/y to $1,158.24m in October 2025, with tea and apparel exports down while coconut-based exports jumped 60.46%. The US remained the largest market at $246.2m (down 0.46%) and exports to India fell 10.03% to $74.49m.

Sri Lanka's cumulative exports reached US$ 14,433.82 Mn in January–October 2025, a 6.0% year-on-year increase, with coconut-based exports topping US$1.0bn for the first time. Services exports rose 4.01% to an estimated US$ 3,060.21 Mn, while apparel, tea and food & beverages also recorded gains.

Sri Lanka earned $1.29 billion from tea exports in Jan–Oct 2025, up about 9% from $1.18 billion a year earlier. Cumulative shipments rose to 220.21 Mnkg (up 17.06 Mnkg) and Iraq was the top buyer at 33.88 Mnkg.

Lotus Renewable sold 10,903,500 shares (4.61% of issued ordinary shares) in Hatton Plantations to Durga Infra for Rs. 297.7m (Rs. 27.30/share) on 21 Nov; the board was notified on 24 Nov 2025. Hatton closed at Rs. 28.10, down Rs. 0.40, and reported NAV Rs. 21.47/share at end-Sep 2025.

Glorious Holdings Pvt. Ltd. won the Best Modern Agriculture Solution Provider of the Year award at the Asia Miracle Awards 2025 and was nominated for an SLTC Research and Innovation Award 2025. The nomination recognised a research collaboration with Sabaragamuwa University that was published by the University of Peradeniya.

Elpitiya Plantations (ELPL.N0000) held Upcountry (31 Oct) and Low Country (7 Nov) award ceremonies, presenting over 100 awards at each event and recognising more than 400 estate staff. The company said it will continue to support employee development through training and wellbeing initiatives.

The Colombo bourse fell, with the ASPI down 0.53% to 22,982.72 (slipping below 23,000) and the S&P SL20 down 0.28% to 6,364.61. Foreigners were net sellers (Rs.163.8m yesterday; Rs.461.8m net outflow for the week); Bukit Darah and Ambeon were among decliners while Renuka Agri and Access Engineering drew buying interest.

Sri Lanka High Commission promoted Sri Lanka as a tourism and investment destination at the Lions District 201N5 Conference in Wentworthville on 15 November, drawing strong visitor interest in leisure travel and partnerships. The team highlighted opportunities in tourism, ICT and agriculture, including Ceylon tea.

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO.N0000) won the Diamond Award at CMA Sri Lanka's 11th Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2025. Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) and L B Finance (LFIN.N0000) received Silver/Bronze joint awards and Talawakelle Tea Estates (TPL.N0000) was a Gold co-winner.

The Sri Lanka Business Council UAE opened the inaugural SLBC EXPO Pavilion 2025 in Dubai on 21 November to showcase Sri Lankan brands across sectors, with DFCC Bank among participating exhibitors.

Sri Lanka's tea crop rose to 21.78 Mnkg in October 2025, up 0.50 Mnkg year‑on‑year, while cumulative Jan–Oct production increased 1.29% to 220.97 Mnkg.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Sri Lanka will assume the Chairmanship of the Asia Tea Alliance for 2026–2027 and Colombo will host the 6th ATA Annual Meeting and the Asia International Tea Summit on 27 November 2025. The chairmanship, led by TSHDA, emphasizes smallholder representation, regenerative and low‑carbon practices, and improved market access for producers and exporters.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO) won the Diamond Award for the most outstanding integrated report at the 11th CMA Sri Lanka Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2025. Talawakelle Tea Estates shared the Gold award, Commercial Bank shared Silver, and Hayleys Fabric and L B Finance shared the Bronze awards.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board hosted a 17–22 Nov EU inward trade delegation of 12 Fair Trade importers (including Colruyt) to promote spices, tea, coconut and other Fair Trade products, targeting an increase of about $4–6m in EU orders for 2025–26.

The EDB hosted an EU inward delegation (17–22 Nov) to promote Sri Lankan Fair Trade products and is targeting an increase in EU orders of about US$4–6 million for 2025–26. EU buyers showed interest in spices, rice, coconut products, tropical fruits and tea, with plans to link exporters to supermarket chains.

President Trump removed reciprocal tariffs on a range of agricultural products—including tea, spices and coconuts—adding them to Annex II and exempting them from reciprocal tariffs effective Nov 13, 2025, which broadens US market access for exporters.

Parliament passed the second reading of the 2026 Appropriation Bill with 160 votes in favour, 42 against and eight abstentions (majority 118). TPA leader Mano Ganesan backed the Bill citing a government commitment to a Rs.1,750 daily wage for plantation workers; Committee Stage runs 15 Nov–5 Dec and the Third Reading is set for 5 Dec.

Sri Lanka's parliament passed the 2026 budget 160-42, raising plantation workers' daily wage to 1,750 rupees. Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha said the budget will further ensure fiscal discipline.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa promoted a 'Brand Sri Lanka' investment and tourism pitch, citing over 2 million tourist arrivals in 2024 with $3.1bn revenue and record exports of $16.7bn. He urged reforms and infrastructure, digital customs, tax stability and policies to attract investment across tourism, IT, renewables, logistics and manufacturing.

Sri Lanka participated in the 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, showcasing exporters including Ceylon Tea and debuting Ceylon Cold Stores’ Elephant House beverage brand at the event that concluded on 10 Nov 2025.