News & market updates

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) signed an MoU with Damro to provide personal and SME loans covering 80%–100% of solar equipment costs for customers purchasing solar systems. Damro will promote HNB’s financing via its physical and digital channels to support uptake by households and small businesses.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said more than 65,000 electricity disruptions were reported island-wide due to severe weather damaging power lines, with close to 26,000 outages restored; Ceylon Electricity Board crews are working to reconnect communities as conditions permit.

Solar Booze Ltd won the Excellent Performance Award at the FusionSolar 4th Global Installer Summit 2025 in China and the Service Excellence Award at the Clean Energy Awards 2025 in Sri Lanka. The company, an authorized distributor for Huawei FusionSolar and LONGi PV modules, said it will expand partnerships and technology-driven solutions.

MarketsandMarkets projects the electric 3-wheeler market to grow from USD 2.68bn in 2025 to USD 3.85bn by 2032 (CAGR 5.3%) and names Sri Lanka the fastest-growing country in Asia Pacific for the segment. The report cites lower operating costs, higher fuel prices, battery advances, subsidies and notes local makers SL Mobility and Ideal Motors.

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.

DFCC Bank won a Best Sustainability Project Award for its 'DFCC Green Bond', which raised LKR 2.5 billion to finance/refinance rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects, adding 20 MW and avoiding over 21,000 tCO2e annually; the bond also secured multiple international listings.

Aberdeen Holdings has achieved GHG Verification Certification under ISO 14064-1:2018, reinforcing its sustainability measures; subsidiaries such as Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC (PACK.N0000) are cited as driving renewable energy and circular-economy initiatives.

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.

John Keells' authorised distributor JKCG Auto launched the all-new BYD ATTO 1 (300 km range) and BYD ATTO 2 in Sri Lanka, and both models are now open for bookings.

The Cabinet authorised the Ceylon Electricity Board to proceed with the Rs. 24.06 billion Norochcholai–Wariyapola Transmission Development Project and begin formal negotiations with the AIIB to finance it, aiming to integrate over 750 MW of renewable energy. The project will strengthen the Puttalam–Wariyapola transmission backbone and reduce congestion and curtailment.

BPPL Holdings PLC's subsidiary Eco Spindles launched the Green Wheels plastic collection project to collect and recycle 6,500 tonnes of plastic per year using a fleet of 50 locally manufactured electric bikes. The VERRA-certified initiative aims to boost community livelihoods, strengthen Eco Spindles' raw-material pipeline and bring verified foreign-currency crediting revenue.

Evolution Auto opened a multi-brand electric vehicle showroom in Kurunegala in partnership with New Jayasekara Auto Motors, featuring Sri Lanka’s largest collection of EVs from global brands. The showroom offers test drives, sales and after-sales support, aiming to boost EV accessibility and local jobs.

The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025 (Dec 2–3) is sold out with over 850 participants, including 100+ international delegates. The two-day event will feature 40+ speakers across trade, investment, manufacturing, renewable energy, technology, tourism, finance and agriculture, plus B2B/G2B meetings.

Macksons Solar and Macktiles Lanka commissioned Sri Lanka's largest rooftop solar installation: a 10 MW system (over 18,000 panels) at Macktiles' Bandaragama factory, expected to generate ~12 GWh annually and cut about 8,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Ather Energy launched the Ather Rizta electric scooter in Sri Lanka, offering Rizta S and Rizta Z variants starting at LKR 699,900 with bookings for Rizta S opening at launch. The Rizta features a 2.7 kWh battery with a certified 123 km IDC range, 80 km/h top speed, connected tech on the Z variant, and a 5-year battery warranty (optional extensions available).

The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025 (Dec 2–3) is sold out with over 850 participants, including 100+ international delegates. Session and partnership sponsors include Sunshine Holdings, Dialog Axiata and Hayleys (Hayleys Advantis); sessions cover trade, investment, renewable energy, tourism, finance and technology.

Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC launched its 'ESG Roadmap 2030 – Where Dreams Take Flight', establishing policies and measurable ESG targets (green financing, energy-efficient operations, human capital, community empowerment, governance) aligned with Singer Group, Hayleys and global standards and to be reported annually until 2030.

Deputy Industry Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Government kept Budget 2026 free of aggressive new taxes and will seek VAT cuts tied to improved tax efficiency while widening the tax base. He added the Treasury cash buffer tops Rs.1 trillion to help hold interest rates at 8%, and renewables plus accelerated infrastructure spending are expected to cut power costs and speed construction projects.

YKK Lanka has partnered with Regen Renewables to install a 1,792 kW rooftop solar PV system at its manufacturing facility. The project uses DAS Solar panels and Huawei inverters and aims to reduce energy costs and emissions as part of YKK Lanka's sustainability goals.

Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC won the Retail Sector Award at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2025. The company highlighted expanded solar integration at factories, an e-waste collection network across 400+ outlets, support for 2,800 youth entrepreneurs and adoption of SLFRS S1/S2 for sustainability reporting.

Solar Booze won two awards in 2025 — the Excellent Performance Award at the FusionSolar Global Installer Summit in Dongguan and the Service Excellence Award at Sri Lanka's Clean Energy Awards. The company, authorized distributor for Huawei FusionSolar and LONGi PV, plans to expand partnerships and technology offerings.

Union Bank hosted a panel discussion on sustainable finance covering climate finance, digital economy transition, women’s financing and social entrepreneurship. Hayleys PLC's Group Treasury head Sriyamal Gamage participated as a panelist.

A Vietnamese embassy delegation visited Jaffna to promote economic, trade, investment and tourism linkages and explore cooperation in agribusiness, aquaculture, agro-processing, tourism, logistics, industrial zones and renewable energy.

Aberdeen Holdings achieved GHG Verification Certification under ISO 14064-1:2018, reinforcing its commitment to measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. The group cited subsidiaries including Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC (PACK.N0000) as driving renewable energy and carbon‑neutral manufacturing initiatives.

Sri Lanka will invite bids to build about 434 MW of wind power in the north, with approved projects including 234 MW at Pooneryn and 204 MW at Veravil and tenders for two 50 MW Mannar plants already opened; projects to proceed next year.

Sri Lanka and India will be connected by a high-voltage transmission line under a joint initiative now progressing, with governments reviewing the technical and commercial framework, the Power and Energy Minister said. He reported 800 MW of solar (mostly rooftop) connected by October and expects 900–1,000 MW by year-end.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody warned Sri Lanka may face solar-linked grid instability early next year as rooftop solar reaches about 800MW and could hit 900–1,000MW by end-2025. Authorities are pursuing battery storage projects (160MW/640MWh tenders, BOO price ~Rs17) and a 200,000 smart‑meter rollout to stabilise the grid.

Oxford College of Business won three BCCS Awards 2025 — Corporate Environmental Commitment, Triple Bottom Line (Environmental) and Knowledge Services — recognising its sustainability leadership. The wins reflect initiatives such as solar installations, water-sensitive campus design and digitalised resource tracking.

Union Bank held a panel on sustainable finance covering climate finance, digital economy transition, women financing and social entrepreneurship, with Hayleys PLC represented on the panel by its Group Treasury representative.