News & market updates

Joseph Fraser Hospital performed a medically supported water birth with full NICU, Blood Bank and HDU coverage, overseen by Prof. Hemantha Senanayake, and highlighted its personalised BirthX pre-birthing programme and specialist-led maternity services under Ninewells management.

Medihelp Hospitals opened its 20th facility in Ambalangoda, its first in the Southern Province, on January 29, 2026. The branch offers emergency care, OPD, specialist consultations, pharmacy and a full diagnostic suite, with inpatient services planned soon.

World Bank Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer visited Sri Lanka to strengthen development cooperation and reviewed World Bank-supported initiatives with the Treasury secretary. He highlighted priority areas for jobs and growth: infrastructure, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing.

Hemas Holdings PLC reported 9M earnings of Rs.5.9bn, up 7.5% YoY on revenue of Rs.95.8bn (9.4% growth). Healthcare revenue grew 14.6% to Rs.57.6bn and the share price is up 68% YoY; the group also launched a digital transformation and Hemas AI Labs.

CIC Holdings reported consolidated 9MFY26 revenue of Rs. 70.28 billion (up 8.69% YoY) and PAT of Rs. 5.97 billion, with EBIT rising to Rs. 9.67 billion, as crop, livestock and health divisions offset disruptions from Cyclone Ditwah.

Hemas Holdings reported nine-month earnings up 7.5% to Rs. 5.9 billion on revenue growth of 9.4% to Rs. 95.8 billion, led by double-digit growth in Healthcare and Mobility; Cyclone Ditwah caused temporary supply-chain and demand disruption but recovery trends are evident.

CIC Holdings reported consolidated 9MFY26 revenue of Rs.70.28bn (+8.69% YoY) and PAT of Rs.5.97bn, with EBIT rising to Rs.9.67bn, despite cyclone-related losses in parts of its agricultural operations.

A Sri Lanka delegation led by Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeyasinghe met Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in Riyadh on 25 Jan 2026 to pitch investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and its capital market. PIF outlined its 2026–2030 strategic plan and both sides agreed to open follow-up channels and pursue a bilateral investment protection agreement.

Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe led a Sri Lankan delegation to meet Saudi Public Investment Fund officials in Riyadh to present investment opportunities, capital-market reforms and discuss a Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement; both sides agreed to continue talks.

Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council donated essential medical equipment to the Divisional Hospital, Anavilundawa to strengthen local healthcare capacity as part of its CSR initiatives.

Dr. Ruchitha Perera was re-elected as Honorary Co-Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Board, with a term through April 2028. He is Executive Director of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka and works on SRHRJ, digital transformation, AI and financial sustainability.

Vision Care has been recognized as a Superbrand for 2025, reaffirming its leadership as Sri Lanka’s largest vision, hearing and eyewear solutions provider and highlighting its market presence, quality and community initiatives.

DFCC Bank's DFCC Pinnacle hosted an exclusive 'Matters of the Heart' lifestyle forum on 17 January 2026 with Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Singapore), led by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Sivathasan Cumaraswamy to raise awareness of cardiovascular health for DFCC Pinnacle customers.

The Social Scientists' Association survey found nearly 80% of respondents satisfied with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s response to Cyclone Ditwah and over 70% satisfied with government immediate rescue, relief and restoration of essential services. Lower ratings were given for early warning and evacuation (52%), with 30% reporting lack of medical care in evacuation centres and 47% noting absence of psycho-social support.

Nawaloka Hospitals PLC will serve as Platinum Sponsor of Medicare 2026 and will unveil its AI-driven technologies at the event. The hospital is developing AI-powered CT, MRI, OCD and cardiac scanners and moving toward AI-integrated workflows to speed diagnostics and improve operations.

IPS research finds about 70% of green-labelled and 50% of amber-labelled SSBs in Sri Lanka contain non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) and recommends updating SSB policies—including FOPL warnings and extending SSB taxes—to cover NSS and close reformulation loopholes.

Mastercard launched the 'Tap for Change' campaign in Sri Lanka, pledging $750,000 and directing every contactless Mastercard transaction from January 2026 to support construction of the 10‑storey, 160‑bed Trail Cancer Hospital in Karapitiya. The facility will include advanced diagnostics, a bone marrow transplant unit and operating theatres to expand oncology care.

Joseph Fraser Memorial Hospital Trust pledged funding and disbursed the first tranche to equip the University of Sri Jayewardenepura's Histopathology Unit with in-house immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing for hormone receptors. Phase 1 supplies lab space, reagents and staff training for testing ~500–600 breast cancer specimens annually, with further modernization phases planned.

Bank of Ceylon listed its inaugural Basel III–compliant Tier II sustainability bond — the largest sustainability bond in Sri Lanka — which was oversubscribed and closed on 22 Dec 2025. Proceeds will fund eligible green and social projects (renewables, energy efficiency, water, healthcare, MSMEs); rated 'AA-'.

AIA Insurance Lanka appointed Asoka Pieris and Deepthi Lokuarachchi as Non-Executive Independent Directors. Pieris brings financial management and governance expertise, while Lokuarachchi brings insurance and healthcare experience to support AIA’s health insurance strategy.

Bank of Ceylon listed its inaugural Basel III–compliant Tier II Sustainability Bond — the largest sustainability bond issuance in Sri Lanka — which was oversubscribed and closed on December 22, 2025. Proceeds will fund eligible green and social projects (renewable energy, energy efficiency, water/waste, agriculture, healthcare, education) under its Sustainable Finance Framework; the bonds were rated ‘AA-’ (Stable) by Lanka Rating Agency.

The 13th Sri Lanka–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission met in Colombo and agreed cooperation across IT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and maritime connectivity, including a Joint Working Group on IT and progress on pineapple and avocado export procedures. Commerce-level talks also reviewed PSFTA implementation.

Asiri Hospital Holdings (ASIR.N0000) opened a new Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Coronary Care Unit at Asiri Hospital Matara to provide advanced cardiac diagnostics and interventional care locally. The facilities offer services including coronary angiograms, angioplasty and stenting to improve timely access to cardiac treatment in the Southern Province.

The ASPI closed at 23,992.11, up 0.13% (31.95 pts) after hitting an intraday high of 24,068.22, with turnover over Rs.6.9bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.480.2m. Capital goods led turnover (Rs.1.91bn) with John Keells and ACL Cables among top contributors while market breadth remained weak.

Share split · 1:4 · XD Mar 5, 2026