News & market updates

Delmege Insurance Brokers, a Vallibel One subsidiary, saw COO Chathura Kehelpannala win Best Health Insurance Adviser and place first runner-up in Property Insurance at the Global Insurance Excellence Awards 2025.

FHIIT won the Bronze Award in the SME Local Brand of the Year category at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2025. It is the first fitness brand in Sri Lanka to win a SLIM Brand Excellence award and was founded six years ago.

Early-stage gum disease is detectable and reversible through timely dental examinations and consistent oral care; regular professional cleanings and at least biannual check-ups can prevent progression to periodontitis and reduce related risks such as heart disease and diabetes.

Lanka Spa Association launched a Code of Ethics, Regulations and Guidelines for wellness spas and announced an NVQ Level 4 Certificate in Wellness and Spa at its 'Human Wellness 2025' conference on 9 November. The code was handed to the Health Ministry and referred to the Attorney General's Department.

Sri Lanka's NMRA set maximum retail prices for 350 medicines effective immediately, cutting Paclitaxel to 26,332.29 rupees per vial (from 42,000) and setting aspirin at 5.85 rupees per tablet (blister). Pharmacies must display price lists and the public can report sales above the approved MRP.

ADB has ratified an amendment removing its lending cap, enabling a 50% increase in annual lending to more than $36 billion to developing member countries. The move aims to scale up financing including raising private-sector financing to $13 billion a year by 2030.

Vallibel One PLC's subsidiary Delmege Insurance Brokers saw its COO Chathura Kehelpannala win Best Health Insurance Adviser at the Global Insurance Excellence Awards 2025. He was also 1st runner-up in Property Insurance and Delmege was ranked No.1 in overall insurance brokering for 2023–2024 by the IRCSL.

Vision Care has expanded and upgraded its Rajagiriya Golden Key branch, creating a more spacious, modern outlet. The branch now offers an expanded eyewear range (brands such as Ray-Ban, Vogue, Emporio Armani) and enhanced diagnostic eye-care services including refraction, eye pressure, color vision testing and contact lens consultations.

Lanka Spa Association launched a Code of Ethics, Regulations and Guidelines for registering and operating wellness spas and announced an NVQ Level 4-accredited Certificate in Wellness and Spa at its 'Human Wellness 2025' conference in Colombo.

Dipped Products PLC reported a flat net profit of Rs 920 million in the September 2025 quarter, with pre-tax profit down 5% to Rs 1.73 billion and administrative costs up 21%. Six-month net profit rose 14% to Rs 1.8 billion, six-month EPS was Rs 43.01, interim dividends totalling Rs 0.86 were paid, and Hayleys owns 42.1%.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally lower: ASPI fell 0.01% to 23,459.75 and S&P SL20 fell 0.34% to 6,435.93. Top negatives included Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, Diesel & Motor Engineering and Hayleys; Dipped Products posted a Sept-quarter net profit of LKR 920m and rose, while Ceylon Tobacco said volumes fell and its stock dipped.

Enfection showcased its AI Knowledge Agents at the National AI Exhibition & Conference 2025 in Colombo, highlighting an AI agent developed for ACCA and Sri Lanka’s first AI avatar-led interactive annual report for People’s Leasing & Finance PLC.

Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the budget's planned 75,000 recruitments are mostly for skilled grades — nurses, teachers, technical staff and engineers. He said the government will 'rightsize' the bloated public sector over 3–5 years using technology and retraining, including integrating military retirees into industry or entrepreneurship.

Sri Lankan Ambassador met Belarus trade and industry bodies to explore trade, investment and foreign employment opportunities, identifying agriculture, pharmaceuticals, light industry (garments) and tourism as priority areas. They also discussed direct air connectivity and upcoming Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit and Sri Lanka Expo 2026.

The Swiss Herz Clinic Foundation donated a Philips Azurion 3M12 angiography machine to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, which the foundation says will double treatment capacity and help clear long cardiac patient backlogs. The handover is scheduled for 27 November and will include training and specialist visits.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said Sri Lanka's 2026 budget maintains policy predictability, fiscal consolidation and disciplined debt management, supporting low inflation, stable interest rates and investor confidence. It urged converting fiscal over-performance into productive public investment (infrastructure, digital services, tourism, energy, health, agriculture) and fast-tracking SOE/PPP and tax-administration reforms.

NCCSL said the 2026 Budget is a key step toward restoring investor confidence and re-entering international financial markets by 2028. It noted alignment with IMF reforms and prioritises health, education, digital transformation, SMEs and restarting stalled infrastructure projects.

Kangaroo Cabs ran a month-long Pink Ribbon campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, placing pink ribbons and QR-code links in its taxis to share early-detection information and reaching thousands of local and international passengers.

Hemas Pharmaceuticals (subsidiary of Hemas Holdings, HHL.N0000) launched the Suwajeewa Diabetes Screening and Awareness Programmes, running three free screening events on 23, 28 and 30 Oct 2025 with blood sugar, BP, BMI and eye checks in partnership with Medihelp Hospitals.

Hemas Holdings (HHL.N0000) reported cumulative earnings of Rs. 3.3 billion for the six months to 30 Sep 2025, up 32.5% year-on-year. Growth was driven by revenue increases across divisions, a 78.9% drop in net interest cost, and the group announced a conditional Kenya acquisition plus expansion of Thalawathugoda hospital.

CIC Holdings reported consolidated revenue of Rs. 41.6 billion and PAT of Rs. 3.25 billion for 1HFY26, up 7.2% and 14.7% YoY respectively. Growth was driven by margin recovery and strong performances in Crop Solutions (40% of revenue), Livestock and Health & Personal Care; EPS rose to Rs. 6.86 and total assets reached Rs. 98.6 billion.

Hemas Holdings reported 1H FY26 earnings of Rs. 3.3 billion, up 32.5%, driven by a strong 2Q where consolidated earnings rose 36.6% to Rs. 2.1 billion. The group announced a conditional acquisition of a Kenyan consumer products company and a Rs.0.25 first interim dividend, subject to regulatory approvals.

Ceylon Chamber says Budget 2026 reinforces policy predictability and fiscal consolidation but urges faster implementation of reforms to convert fiscal gains into growth. It welcomes 18 of its proposals (e.g., Trade Single Window, PPP framework, digital ID, 5G) and calls for stronger tax administration, SOE/PPP legislation and targeted public investment.

CIC Holdings PLC reported consolidated revenue of Rs.41.6 billion for 1HFY26 and PAT rose 14.7% YoY to Rs.3.25 billion. Crop Solutions accounted for about 40% of revenue and group EBIT increased 18.6% to Rs.5.7 billion, with broad-based segmental profit growth.

Ceylon Chamber says Budget 2026 reinforces policy stability and urges faster implementation of reforms to meet growth targets. It notes 18 Chamber proposals were adopted — including a Trade National Single Window, PPP framework, digital ID/5G and BIA expansion — and calls for stronger tax administration and fast-tracked SOE/PPP reforms.

Sunshine Holdings PLC reported consolidated revenue of Rs. 32.3 billion in 1H FY26, up 7.4% YoY, and group EBIT rose 18.6% to Rs. 5.5 billion with gross margin expanding to 31.9%. Healthcare remained the largest revenue contributor while Agribusiness (Watawala Plantations) saw revenue up 21.9% and sharply improved margins.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh agreed to deepen cooperation on maritime connectivity, trade and green tourism, including a proposal for direct port connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram to cut shipping costs. They also advanced talks on investment in infrastructure, EPZs/SEZs, ICT/tech corridor, pharma registration and renewable energy collaboration.

Sunshine Holdings reported consolidated 1HFY26 revenue of LKR 32.3bn, up 7.4% YoY, and group EBIT rose 18.6% to LKR 5.5bn. Healthcare contributed 53.7% of revenue; agribusiness (Watawala) revenue rose 21.9%, and gross profit margin expanded 153bps to 31.9%.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will present the 2026 Budget (second reading of the Appropriation Bill) to Parliament tomorrow (7 Nov). Debates on the second reading run from 8 Nov with votes and committee stages scheduled through 5 Dec, including the second-reading vote on 14 Nov and the third-reading vote on 5 Dec.

Thirteen labour unions submitted 18 policy-focused proposals for the 2026 Budget calling for labour-law reforms, forensic audits of SOEs (including Sri Lanka Telecom), retention of EPF management at the Central Bank, and a Rs.1 levy-funded social security scheme for gig workers.