A market brief each morning, plus company filings and news from across Sri Lanka's stock market. Filter by company, sector and theme, and use sentiment badges to quickly identify Positive or Negative news.
World Bank Group mobilized a record $112 billion of private capital in FY26, more than triple FY22's $35 billion, and issued over $25 billion in guarantees, bringing total financing and mobilization in developing economies to over $200 billion.
Sri Lanka's rupee strengthened to 330.90/331.25 per US dollar on Friday from 331.50/90 the previous day, while government bond yields broadly recovered as rates fell amid buying interest (e.g. the 15.09.2029 issue quoted at 10.85-10.90%). The All Share Price Index rose 0.18% to 21,060 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.16% to 5,934.
An IMF delegation led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to review progress on social welfare schemes, a key deliverable of Sri Lanka's Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The meeting, part of the Seventh Review and 2026 Article IV visit, reiterated the need to protect vulnerable groups as stability is sustained (Q2 growth cited at 4.2%).
SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said the SJB and UNP will unite to counter President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's NPP and its alleged push for one-party rule. He said the cooperation aims to offer a policy-driven, progressive alternative based on J.R. Jayewardene's economic philosophy to address poverty and support MSMEs.
Global NPO Coalition co-chair Sangeeta Goswami warned that fear of FATF grey-listing is prompting Sri Lanka to over-comply with AML/CFT rules, causing banks to de-risk non-profits and delay humanitarian transfers. She said the FATF's 2016 shift to a risk-based approach has not been fully adopted by regulators or banks, producing harmful outcomes for civil society and aid flows.
Daily FT·Sep 18, 2026·Regulatory or legal·LFINPositive
LB Finance PLC has completed incorporation of its first overseas subsidiary, LB Finance Philippines Inc.; the Certificate of Incorporation and authority to operate as a finance company dated 1 September 2026 was received on 17 September 2026.
The Registrar General of Companies urged directors and secretaries to submit beneficial ownership information by 30 September under Section 130H(1) of the Companies (Amendment) Act No.12 of 2025, warning administrative penalties and criminal sanctions (fine up to Rs.1 million and/or up to 10 years' imprisonment) for non-compliance.
The Energy Minister and parliamentary Energy Committee approved the order launching Sri Lanka Licensing Round 2026 (SL2026-01), opening bids on 25 Aug for four offshore Mannar Basin blocks (~34,000 sq km). Bids close in early 2027; awards via Petroleum Resources Agreements and commercial production targeted by 2032 if viable.
The US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 4%, the first hike in more than three years. The Fed cited elevated inflation-partly driven by soaring fuel prices amid the US‑Iran war-and said the move will support a return to its 2% inflation target.
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) signed a five-year framework agreement with the Government of Maldives to mobilise up to $1.5 billion for trade financing between 2026 and 2031. The financing will cover imports of essential commodities and lines to local banks to support SMEs and the private sector.
Secondary bond-market yields fell across several tenors on renewed buying interest (e.g. 15.10.28 10.85%-10.75%; 01.02.31 rallied to ~11.45%), with a money-market liquidity surplus of Rs.107.84bn. USD/LKR closed near 331.50/331.90 as the rupee marginally appreciated.
The ASPI fell 0.52% (109.98 pts) to 21,023.43, hitting a 23-week low as selling driven by concerns over rising interest rates and sustained crude above $100 pressured the market. Top drags included Melstacorp, Dialog, Hayleys, Ceylon Beverage and RIL while foreigners were net sellers of ~Rs.213m; turnover ~Rs.1.3bn.
The Cabinet approved 39 hospital infrastructure projects for implementation from 2027, incorporating them into the 2027-2031 Public Investment Program. It also unveiled the 'Arogya' primary-care rollout with NIC-linked e-health records (Rs.1,500m allocated in 2026) and plans to train and recruit public health nursing officers.
Construction ActivityHealthcare & PharmaIT & Digital
Asia Asset Finance PLC's rights issue of 45,162,012 shares at Rs.33.30 (target ~Rs.1.504bn) was oversubscribed, receiving applications totalling ~Rs.1.937bn (oversubscription ~Rs.432.49m). The capital infusion strengthens its CAR and supports planned expansion.
Daily FT·Sep 18, 2026·Capacity or capex·VLLPositive
Vidullanka PLC, with partner WindForce, inaugurated its first grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System (10MW/40MWh) in Anuradhapura today, the first of 13 BESS projects totaling 130MW/520MWh. Vidullanka is also commissioning its eighth ground-mounted solar to bring capacity to 96MW and reported FY25/26 revenue Rs3.8bn, PAT Rs1.55bn.
David Pieris Automobiles opened a new BAIC showroom at No. 262A, Katugastota Road, Kandy, expanding BAIC's retail and after-sales network in Sri Lanka. DPA currently markets three BAIC models locally, the X55, BJ30 and the electric X3e, and the showroom joins multiple existing outlets nationwide.
Logical, a Sri Lankan‑founded AI startup, is building an ambient AI assistant that proactively helps users across email, chats and meetings and can take actions across apps; the company has been accepted into Y Combinator and raised over LKR 150 million in initial funding.
Prime Lands became Sri Lanka's first real estate developer to receive YouTube's Silver Play Button after surpassing 100,000 subscribers; its channel now has more than 600,000 subscribers as the company marks its 30th anniversary.
The Digital Marketers Association of Sri Lanka will host Digital Summit Asia | Sri Lanka 2026 on 1-2 Oct 2026 at Water's Edge, Colombo, powered by Visa. The two-day event will bring regional digital, creative and marketing leaders and sessions on AI, MarTech, FinTech and the creator economy.
patpat.lk won Gold for Best Mobile User Experience, Advertising and Marketing at the BestWeb.LK Awards 2026 and also received a Silver for Best Advertising and Marketing Website, recognising its investment in mobile UX and overall digital presence.
IT & Digital
Ada Derana·Sep 18, 2026·Promotional / marketing·HNBPositive
Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) was the main sponsor of the SOS Children's Villages Sri Lanka Cultural Evening 2026, supporting a platform for children to showcase music, dance and creative performances and reinforcing its community and youth development commitments.
Dongcheng has launched a hand tools range in Sri Lanka through local distributor Deen Brothers Imports (DBL), unveiled at the Constructor 2026 exhibition in Colombo. The range targets construction, hardware and professional trades and broadens DBL's product offering across its islandwide dealer network (over 500 dealers).
Regional Plantation Companies, the government and unions report nearly 250 plantation-community children gained university admission over the past two years, a record intake signaling improved sector welfare. RPCs collectively spend about Rs.720 million a year on Child Development Centers and support scholarship schemes (Roots to Wings) to carry students through graduation.
Tea & Plantation Crops
Ada Derana·Sep 18, 2026·Promotional / marketing·JKHPositive
John Keells Properties (part of John Keells Holdings) unveiled a sales gallery and model apartment for Vauxhall DSTRCT, a 60-floor, 753-residence development in Colombo 02, to allow prospective buyers to experience the design, layout and smart-enabled living features.
Ada Derana·Sep 18, 2026·Promotional / marketing·UBCPositive
Union Bank of Colombo (UBC) has partnered with Toyota Lanka to offer exclusive vehicle leasing and loan solutions via Union Bank Leasing, featuring low monthly rentals and repayment terms of up to 7 years along with value-added customer benefits.
Power World Fitness Centres held Power Run 2026, a 6 km community run on 12 September 2026 in Battaramulla that drew over 200 participants from its 21 branches. Nestomalt was the title sponsor and partners included American Premium Water, Samaposha, Nutrimax and Kings Hospital.
Colombo stocks opened higher with the ASPI up 0.12% (25.16 pts) to 21,048.59 and the S&P SL20 up 0.20% to 5,936.69; market turnover was LKR 139.24m. Top contributors included Haycarb, Melstacorp, Hayleys, Commercial Bank and HNB while Access Engineering, Vallibel One, DFCC Bank and RIL Property lagged; WindForce said it will commission a 10MW/40MWh BESS and a 5MW floating solar plant on Sept 18, 2026, taking its renewables capacity to about 268 MW.
SriLankan Aviation College marked SriLankan Airlines' 47th anniversary with a special edition of its 'The Skyline Stories' talk series, featuring pioneering aviators and current pilots to celebrate the carrier's legacy and give students firsthand career and industry insights.