News & market updates

Siddhalepa Ayurveda (Hettigoda Group) opened a new outlet at Bandaranaike International Airport's Departure Terminal in Katunayake, offering curated Siddhalepa products to departing passengers.

CBL Group announced the acquisition of Indonesian coconut processor PT Tri Jaya Tangguh Indonesia for over USD 25 million. The IFC-supported deal aims to boost processing capacity, strengthen supply-chain resilience and expand exports to Europe and the United States.

SLSI revised SLS 1324:2025 for organic agriculture, introducing a mandatory Organic Management Plan, stronger crop/livestock/aquaculture rules and a prohibition on non-soil systems. The update also tightens processing, packaging and labelling, bans GMOs and adds social justice provisions to boost market access and consumer confidence.

Hemas Holdings (HHL.N0000) announced Project Fusion, a major transformation to unify processes, digitise operations and build real-time data capabilities to accelerate decision-making and group growth. KPMG will implement the program with EY providing independent governance oversight.

Victoria's Secret & Co. secured criminal enforcement in Sri Lanka resulting in coordinated police raids, seizure and ordered destruction of counterfeit Victoria’s Secret perfumes and cosmetics after the accused retailers pleaded guilty and were fined.

John Keells Holdings met Madhya Pradesh government at the WEF and expressed interest in exploring investments in logistics, hospitality, food processing and tourism in the state; a John Keells team will engage further to assess potential collaborations.

Asian Paints Causeway unveiled two auto-refinish products at its 'Night of Champions' event: the Star Class MAXXCUT Metal Filler with a 10-minute rapid drying time and the Star Class 2K Fast Dry Primer Surfacer allowing sanding after 30 minutes.

CBSL PMI: Manufacturing PMI 60.9 and Services PMI 67.9 in December 2025, indicating sharp expansion despite Ditwah weather disruptions. Manufacturing was led by food & beverages and higher new orders, while services were driven by wholesale & retail and accommodation/F&B with rising employment and optimistic near‑term expectations.

First Capital Holdings PLC will host its 12th Investor Symposium on 22 January 2026 at Cinnamon Life Colombo, focusing on Sri Lanka’s economic outlook and investment strategies. The event will feature a presentation by First Capital research heads and a panel including sector leaders discussing tourism, construction and FMCG trends.

First Capital Holdings (CFVF.N0000) will host its 12th Investor Symposium on 22 January 2026 at Cinnamon Life Colombo, presenting the Economic and Investment Outlook for 2026. The event, which will be live-streamed, features a panel of industry leaders including JAT.N0000.

Sri Lanka's services PMI rose to 67.9 in December 2025, signaling expansion driven mainly by wholesale and retail trade amid festive demand. The new-business index climbed to 64.6 and employment increased as firms expanded year-end workforces.

Sri Lanka's manufacturing sector expanded in December, with the central bank's PMI at 60.9. New Orders and Production rose (driven by food & beverages), Employment and Stock of Purchases increased, while Suppliers' Delivery Time lengthened due to higher input demand and weather-related logistical delays.

CBSL signals a likely hold on policy rates in early 2026 and aims to return inflation to the 5% target by H2 2026. Liquidity will be managed via targeted operations and SRR tightening, which may lift short-term rates while anchoring long-term yields and supporting consumer, construction and banking earnings recovery.

The BRIGHT national survey of 6,850 households (Nov 2024–Mar 2025) found that just before Cyclone Ditwah 27% of households were multidimensionally poor, 33% experienced food insecurity and 42% reported household debt.

Cabinet approved implementation of the updated National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy to promote sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture and equitable distribution of industry benefits. The redrafted policy aligns with the government's Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour framework and incorporates recommendations from the Department of National Planning.

FAO appealed for $16.5m to restore agrifood livelihoods in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah, noting only $400,000 received (a 97.6% funding gap). The cyclone affected over 2.2 million people, inundated 129,000+ ha of agricultural land and caused major livestock and fisheries losses ahead of the Maha 2025/26 season.

HUTCH’s Kahawanu Udanaya Season 3 rewarded retailers with top cash prizes of Rs.4 million, 40 gold coin redemptions and over Rs.15 million in Singer and Cargills vouchers, while 270m reward coins were reinvested into Season 4.

Ranyan Industries' Amami brand won the Silver Award and Top Achiever Award (Small Category) at the CNCI Achievers Awards 2025. The company supplies hotel amenity products to major Sri Lankan hotels and highlights locally sourced Ayurvedic/herbal FMCG items while expanding its global footprint.

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS) won the National Award of Excellence — Best Supply Chain Practicing Organization 2025 (Commendation) in the Extra Large Manufacturing category on 24 Oct. The company highlighted investments in supply chain digitization, process optimisation and sustainability.

The U.S. Embassy pledged an additional US$2 million in humanitarian assistance for Cyclone Ditwah, bringing total U.S. support to US$4 million to aid relief and early recovery in hard-hit districts. The funding will back emergency food, water, shelter, drainage and small infrastructure repairs and livelihood support, implemented via WFP and World Vision.

Ceylon Grain Elevators PLC has approved a Rs. 3 billion investment to double poultry processing capacity at its Seeduwa plant. The expansion aims to increase value-added product output and efficiency through automation, and is subject to BOI and other government approvals.

Verité Research says grants and revenue measures — including time-bound solidarity taxes and an increase in cigarette excise — are critical to finance Sri Lanka's Rs. 500 billion supplementary allocation for Cyclone Ditwah recovery. The allocation raises 2026 government spending to Rs. 7,557 billion and widens the budget deficit from 5.1% to 6.5% of GDP.

Sri Lanka was ranked the most affordable retirement haven in Asia by the Annual Global Retirement Index, with retirees reporting comfortable living for about $2,200/month and some managing on as little as $1,000/month thanks to low housing, food, transport and healthcare costs.

Colombo bourse closed the week up 3.45% as the ASPI rose 0.54% yesterday to 23,654.30, with the market gaining about Rs. 264.8 billion in value for the week and daily turnover over Rs. 8.5 billion; top contributors included JKH, COMB, VONE, CARS and NTB.

Rights issue · 1:10 at Rs 9.00 · XD Feb 2, 2026

China's CPI rose to a 34-month high of 0.8% in December while full-year consumer prices were unchanged, even as the PPI fell 1.9% in December and 2.6% for the year, signaling weak demand. Authorities pledged continued support, including possible rate/RRR cuts and 62.5bn yuan in bond funds for a consumer trade-in scheme.

Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia rose 19% in Jan–Sep 2025 versus the same period in 2024, while total bilateral trade increased 9%. Embassy-led trade promotion, business delegations, product launches (eg Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.) and a new Saudi–Sri Lanka Joint Business Council were cited as drivers.

The Body Shop is running an End of Season Sale with prices up to 50% off across skincare, bath & body, fragrances, makeup and hair care until 2 February 2026. The promotion applies at its Colombo-area flagship and boutique locations (Bagatale Road, Odel Alexandra Place, Kandy City Centre, Colombo City Centre, Havelock City, One Galle Face Mall).

Hayleys Agriculture Holdings was appointed the exclusive Sri Lanka distributor for Evonik Industries AG’s specialty animal nutrition portfolio, giving Hayleys PLC exclusive rights to introduce Evonik products (GUTCARE, SPEOCARE T60, GUANAMINO) to the local poultry industry.