News & market updates

Aitken Spence PLC reported PBT of Rs. 1.6 billion for the six months to 30 Sep 2025, a 42% increase year‑on‑year, on revenue of Rs. 40.7 billion. Tourism accounted for 64.3% of revenue while Maritime & Freight Logistics was the largest profit contributor; group sustainability and renewable-energy initiatives were highlighted.

Telesonic Lanka won Midea’s first-ever Sustainability Pioneer Award at Midea’s Global Strategic Partner Summit in China. The company’s sustainability work includes planting over 75,000 trees and nurturing 50,000 annually through its eco-restoration nursery.

Ceylinco Life opened a purpose-built, company-owned three-storey branch in Nittambuwa (5,750 sq ft), its 34th company-owned building, featuring a 100% self-sufficient solar electricity system and multiple water- and energy-saving green features.

Bairaha Farms PLC (BFL.N0000) marks its 50th anniversary, cites domestic growth and export progress with exports to the Maldives and conditional clearance for Singapore, and reports 2024 sector figures (chicken +10% to 258,540 mt; day-old chicks +13% to ~188m). The piece also flags challenges from reliance on imported feed (maize/soy) and high import levies that affect competitiveness.

Ceylinco Life opened a purpose-built, company-owned three-storey branch in Nittambuwa (5,750 sq ft) featuring a 100% solar electricity system. The new 34th company-owned branch includes rainwater harvesting, a sewerage treatment plant for recycling, energy-efficient systems and prefabricated construction.

Bank of Ceylon reported Profit Before Tax of Rs.87.7 bn for the first nine months of 2025 and PAT of Rs.55.7 bn; total assets reached Rs.5.5 tn, deposits rose 9% to Rs.4.6 tn and gross loans were Rs.2.5 tn. The bank cited 62% growth in NII, a 32% cost-to-income ratio, strong capital ratios and digital and solar energy initiatives.

John Keells (JKH.N0000) partner JKCG Auto is the authorised distributor for BYD's DENZA in Sri Lanka, launching three models (B8, B5, D9) and opening a showroom at The Shoppes, City of Dreams to sell premium NEVs locally.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa promoted a 'Brand Sri Lanka' investment and tourism pitch, citing over 2 million tourist arrivals in 2024 with $3.1bn revenue and record exports of $16.7bn. He urged reforms and infrastructure, digital customs, tax stability and policies to attract investment across tourism, IT, renewables, logistics and manufacturing.

A Sri Lankan business delegation organised by the Ceylon Chamber will visit Cambodia from 14–18 November 2025 to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism and technology and to attend CAFE 2025 and the Agricultural Investment Forum. The mission includes targeted B2B meetings and discussions with Cambodian ministries, the CDC, the Cambodia Microfinance Association and trade chambers.

John Keells (via JKCG Auto) launched DENZA, BYD’s premium new-energy vehicle brand in Sri Lanka on Nov 12, 2025, introducing the D9, B5 and B8 models and opening an official showroom at The Shoppes, City of Dreams on Nov 13.

NDB Bank signed an MoU with Browns EV to provide tailored leasing solutions for Browns EV’s Wuling and BAW electric vehicle range, expanding access to EV ownership in Sri Lanka.

Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC launched its ESG Roadmap 2030, "Progress Through Purpose," committing to renewable energy (solar) and GHG reductions, waste reduction and nationwide e-waste collection across 400+ outlets and broader social and governance initiatives aligned with Hayleys Lifecode and the SDGs.

A Sri Lankan business delegation will visit Cambodia from Nov 14–18 to explore trade and investment opportunities in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism and technology. The trip, organised by the Ceylon Chamber’s SLGMBC, includes participation in CAFE 2025, an Agricultural Investment Forum and meetings with Cambodian ministries and business bodies.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will lead a Sri Lankan business delegation to Cambodia from 14–18 November 2025 to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism and technology and to attend CAFE 2025 and the Agricultural Investment Forum. The delegation will hold targeted B2B meetings with Cambodian ministries, trade associations and investors to seek partnerships.

Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa said the 2026 Budget aims to restore the private sector as the "engine of growth" by mobilising private capital, offering tax incentives and institutional reforms to boost investment. He highlighted landmark laws (PPP, SOE, Strategic Development Projects, Port City) and a land bank to unlock projects including mining, plantations and wind power.

John Keells CG Auto said Sri Lanka Customs agreed in Court on 11 November 2025 to release the detained consignments, including an additional 631 BYD electric vehicles, under agreed guarantee terms. JKCG said it offered guarantees and provided a Vehicle Diagnostics Service for testing; Customs will notify the Court of next testing steps.

Macksons Solar and Macktiles unveiled Sri Lanka's largest rooftop solar installation — a 10 MW system at Macktiles' Bandaragama factory expected to generate about 12 GWh annually and cut roughly 8,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Ultra Aluminum (Pvt) Ltd won the Presidential Environmental Gold Award 2025, the highest national honor for environmental excellence. The BOI-approved aluminum extrusion maker operates a zero-discharge water treatment plant, advanced air-purification, a 2 MWp rooftop solar system and holds ISO 9001/14001 and SLS 1410 certifications.

The CACCI 39th Annual Conference opened in Colombo, drawing delegates from 28 member nations with sector sessions on SMEs, ICT, tourism and renewable energy. Speakers highlighted regional cooperation and called for a pragmatic trade policy to better connect Sri Lankan businesses to wider markets.

Dividend · Rs 0.30 · XD Nov 19, 2025

Second Interim dividend of LKR 0.3/share; XD 2025-11-19; record 2025-11-19; payable 2025-12-09; FY 2025/2026

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.

ADB approved a $100 million financing package to strengthen Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic stability by improving public expenditure management, boosting revenue mobilization, developing a PPP legal framework, enhancing SOE transparency and mobilizing climate finance.

ADB approved $100 million to strengthen Sri Lanka's macroeconomic resilience by improving public expenditure management, enhancing revenue mobilization, supporting a PPP legal framework, strengthening SOE governance, and mobilizing climate finance.

Hayleys Fentons launched 'The Green Blueprint – ESG Roadmap 2030' on 29 September, targeting 70% clean energy use by 2030 and commitments to zero waste to landfill, biodiversity initiatives and stronger ESG governance; the programme is backed by Hayleys PLC.

Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC's Bogawana estate is the world's first producer of climate-positive tea and targets net removal of 0.40 kg CO₂e per kg of tea by 2025. The estate also uses hydropower/solar, runs reforestation and community projects (Rs.22m water project) and exports to 30+ countries.

Seylan Bank PLC is the Title Partner of Kedella Art of Living 2025 for the 14th consecutive year and will promote housing, personal and Seylan Solar loans, leasing, cards, and digital banking at the exhibition (14–16 Nov 2025 at BMICH).

Casons Rent a Car launched a “Drive and Own” program supplying drivers with new Jaicoo EVs that transfer to the driver after a designated mileage target; around 20 drivers have joined. The initiative aims to promote eco-friendly mobility and support transport and tourism sector sustainability.

The Joint Apparel Association Forum welcomed the 2026 Budget's export-led focus, investment facilitation and digitalisation measures but urged clarity and consistent implementation to translate commitments into results. JAAF highlighted priorities including RAMIS 3.0, e-invoicing, stable energy costs, renewable adoption and improved logistics.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake presented the 2026 Budget offering measures to attract FDI — including a residence visa for qualifying foreign investors, amendments to investment and port city laws, and a PPP/Investment Protection framework — aiming to boost growth to 7%.

The 2026 Budget allocates Rs.35.6 billion to advance digitisation, including a Rs.1.5bn startup grant, Rs.750m for an AI data centre and an initial Rs.500m to attract data-centre investment. It also proposes five-year tax waivers for new communication towers, virtual SEZs, streamlined approvals, a digital ID rollout and QR/payment fee waivers under Rs.5,000.