News & market updates

IFC's South Asia director urged Sri Lanka to rebrand as a green, outward-looking, export-driven investment destination and fix policy predictability. IFC has about $270m in long-term Sri Lanka exposure and is pursuing opportunities in tourism, digital services, agribusiness, renewables, manufacturing, healthcare, ports and finance.

Vidullanka PLC and WindForce PLC were awarded contracts by the Cabinet to build and operate two 50 MW wind power stations (100 MW total) for the Mullikulum Wind Power Project under 20-year BOO arrangements, advancing Sri Lanka's renewable energy targets.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.22% as the ASPI closed at 22,508.26 with turnover down to 3.02 billion rupees. Vidullanka and Windforce were awarded contracts to develop 50MW wind plants in Mannar, and several stocks (Senkadagala Finance, John Keells, Hayleys, Windforce, Vidullanka) helped lift the index.

BYD's Sealion06 was the best-selling plug-in hybrid in Germany in November; BYD's November overseas sales reached 131,661 units and January–November overseas passenger and pickup sales exceeded 910,000 units, reflecting strong European and global expansion.

Vidullanka and Windforce were awarded contracts to develop two 50MW wind plants in Mullikulam, Mannar; Vidullanka bid 3.77 US cents/kWh and Windforce 3.96, the lowest tariffs so far.

Cabinet approved awarding two 50MW Mullikulum wind projects, one to Vidullanka PLC and one to WindForce PLC. The awards are part of the 100MW Mullikulum Wind Power Park bidding process and support the government's push to 70% renewable energy by 2030.

Carmart (Pvt) Ltd handed over the first batch of Leapmotor C10 range-extended EV SUVs to owners in Colombo, officially introducing the C10 to Sri Lanka with a claimed combined range up to 1,150 km (NEDC).

Deep Tec Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, a Sri Lankan sustainable water engineering firm, holds a 28% market share in solar water pumps and delivers nearly USD 2 million of solar pump projects annually with partners including the UN and World Bank. The company plans to scale its solar water solutions to expand rural access.

Aberdeen Holdings achieved Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Verification Certification under ISO 14064-1:2018. The certification underlines the group's sustainability efforts across its businesses, including subsidiary Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC.

Sri Lanka secured a $30 million IDA (World Bank) loan to fund the Secure, Affordable, and Sustainable Energy for Sri Lanka Project to expand and modernise grid capacity and accelerate renewable energy. The $60m project has a first-phase $30m loan (to be on‑lent to the Ceylon Electricity Board) and a proposed World Bank payment guarantee to scale private investment.

Sri Lanka has borrowed US$30 million from the World Bank to strengthen the electricity grid and enable greater renewable energy integration; the funds will be on‑lent to the Ceylon Electricity Board as part of a US$60m project supporting the government's 70% renewables-by-2030 target.

Sri Lanka secured a USD 30 million IDA loan for the Secure, Affordable, and Sustainable Energy for Sri Lanka Project (total cost USD 60 million) to strengthen grid infrastructure and scale up renewable energy—aiming for 70% renewable electricity by 2030; the loan will be on-lent to and implemented by the Ceylon Electricity Board.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Newsweek Sri Lanka is seeking market access, climate finance and investment to support recovery after Cyclone Ditwah while introducing rules-based investor safeguards (single-window approvals, Investment Protection Act) and overhauling disaster-management systems.

CBSL Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe said post-Ditwah reconstruction must not derail reform momentum and that monetary, fiscal and external stability will be maintained. He warned of only a brief inflation uptick and limited balance-of-payments impact, and urged trade, labour and productivity reforms (including RCEP linkage).

IFC South Asia director Imad Fakhoury urged Sri Lanka to swiftly implement the Secured Transactions Act and key elements of the Economic Transformation Act to mobilise private capital and support a push toward 7% annual GDP growth. He highlighted renewable energy, logistics, export industries, digital services, specialised manufacturing, agribusiness and tourism as priority sectors and said about $11bn will be needed by 2030 for climate commitments.

Three Sinha Industries won multiple honors at the Western Province Entrepreneur Awards 2025, including Runner-Up in the Industry/Manufacturing – Large Category; MD M.A. Manjula Ariyakumara received Best Entrepreneur of the Year (Bronze) and Best Entrepreneur – Financial Performance awards.

DFCC Bank was recognised as a People and Planet First Supporter, becoming the first Sri Lankan bank to receive the designation. The award reflects the bank’s integration of sustainability into lending, risk evaluation and support for ethical, climate-aligned enterprises.

The Sri Lanka–Russia Business Council held its 22nd AGM highlighting export opportunities in tea, rubber, spices and fisheries and renewed focus on promoting tourism with Russia remaining a top inbound market. The Council also flagged plans on trade settlement, SME access, tech transfer, renewables, logistics and education.

ADB approved a $100 million policy-based loan to support Sri Lanka's power sector reforms, including accelerating the unbundling of the Ceylon Electricity Board into independent generation, transmission, system operator and distribution companies. The program also backs cost-reflective tariffs, CEB debt restructuring, competitive procurement for large-scale renewable projects and a $2.5m technical assistance grant.

Sri Lanka signed a $100 million policy loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank to support power-sector reforms, establish independent financially sustainable electricity utilities and accelerate renewable energy development. Loan proceeds will be disbursed to the Treasury once the agreement is declared effective after pre-policy actions were completed.

Sri Lanka signed ADB agreements for a USD 100 million policy loan to implement Power Sector Reforms Subprogram 2 (supporting independent, financially sustainable electricity utilities and accelerated renewable energy) and a USD 3 million grant for Cyclone Ditwah emergency relief. Pre-policy actions for Subprogram 2 are complete; loan proceeds will be disbursed to the Treasury once the agreement is effective.

Tokyo Cement Group was honoured with the SLIM Brand Excellence 2025 CSR Brand of the Year Merit Award for its environmental and community programmes. Cited initiatives include a 24MW renewable energy programme making local manufacturing 100% energy independent, nearly 100,000 mangrove saplings planted and over 1,000 reef balls deployed.

ADB approved a $100m policy loan and a $2.5m technical assistance grant to support Sri Lanka's power sector reforms and renewable energy expansion. The program backs unbundling the Ceylon Electricity Board into independent successor companies, cost-reflective tariffs, debt restructuring and measures to boost private participation.

Share split · 1:5 · XD Jan 8, 2026

WindForce PLC subsidiary Diya Janani Ltd signed a Standard Power Purchase Agreement with the Ceylon Electricity Board on 27 Nov for a 6.5MWdc/5MWac floating solar project at Dambulu Oya costing about Rs.1.2 billion. The wholly owned project will be financed 80:20 debt‑equity and adds a utility-scale floating solar asset to WindForce's renewable portfolio.

Colombo Dockyard Plc (DOCK.N0000) delivered the ninth 5,000 DWT Eco Bulk Carrier 'Misje Sakura' to Misje EcoBulk AS of Norway, ahead of the contractual delivery date. The DNV-classed hybrid vessel includes an Energy Storage Battery System for electric hybrid propulsion and supports export earnings.

Sierra Cables (SIRA.N0000) reported 1H revenue up 80% to Rs. 7.51bn and net profit up 130% to Rs. 1.37bn. The company affirmed an A+ national rating, is expanding exports (notably to the US), increasing capacity and targeting renewable-energy and construction-grade product lines.

Cycle Pure Incense (Suwanda Industries) was recertified as a ZeroCarbon® Manufacturer for 2025, reaffirming its status as Sri Lanka’s only carbon-neutral incense-stick manufacturer. The certification followed an SFG audit that cited the company’s adoption of renewable energy and improved energy-efficiency practices.

WindForce subsidiary Diya Janani signed an SPPA with the Ceylon Electricity Board to build a 6.5MWdc/5MWac floating solar project on Dambuluoya Reservoir at an estimated cost of 1,176 million rupees, financed 80:20 debt to equity. The company said it is one of the first and largest private-sector floating solar developments in Sri Lanka.

John Keells Holdings delivered a broadly in-line Q2 FY26 with retail (BYD: 3,705 vehicles), consumer foods and financial services—led by Nations Trust Bank—driving growth; City of Dreams Sri Lanka became fully operational in Aug 2025 and was close to EBITDA breakeven.