News & market updates

Seeni Colombo's 'Baby Talk' campaign for baby care brand Rebecaa Lee won Gold (Best Innovative Idea) and Silver (Best Cause, Environment & Sustainability) at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2025, garnered 3,220,000+ views in 24 hours and drove a 40% sales increase. The campaign also prompted collaborations with hospitals and government bodies to improve postpartum depression awareness and diagnosis.

ISC Education and the Belarusian Graduates' Association held the Annual Belarusian Get-Together 2025 in Sri Lanka with over 200 participants and a White Coat Ceremony for 38 first-year medical students. Ten students received BSMU scholarships, including four Higher Achiever awards of $1,000 each.

CIC Holdings PLC was awarded a Rs. 639.5 million (ex-VAT) government contract to supply 20,000 nanocrystal silver dressings (20x40 cm) for wound care. CIC was the sole substantially responsive bidder and will represent Smith & Nephew Medical Ltd under the contract.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will remain in the ICU as doctors monitor his serious condition, citing complications including dehydration and possible effects on the heart, kidneys and brain; a scheduled court appearance today is now uncertain while a detailed medical report is prepared.

Vision Care opened its most premium branch at The Shoppes at City of Dreams (Level 07, Unit 08). The flagship outlet features luxury international eyewear brands and advanced diagnostic equipment offering comprehensive eye testing services.

Siddhalepa (Hettigoda Group) supported the Kandy Esala Perahera (4–8 Aug), treating more than 200,000 people with Siddhalepa Asamodagam and balm, providing Ayurvedic care to performers, donating 50 waste-management bins and police instruction boards, and honoring participating artists.

Aitken Spence PLC and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings (Heritance Hotels) are partnering with the CCC Foundation on the 1333 Bikeathon to raise mental health awareness and promote the 1333 helpline, providing accommodation at Heritance properties along the route.

Amana Takaful PLC won four Gold awards at the 14th SLIBFI Awards 2025, including Takaful Entity of the Year and Islamic Finance Entity of the Year. The company also won Gold for its Telemedicine marketing campaign and a Gold for its Shariah Department Senior Manager Nawaz Badurdeen as Islamic Banker/Employee of the Year.

Softlogic Life Insurance PLC reported GWP of Rs. 18.7 billion for 1H 2025, up 29% YoY (Rs. 4.2b growth); PAT was Rs. 1.2 billion and the company declared an interim dividend of Rs. 4.50 per share. It also completed the acquisition of Allianz Life Insurance Lanka Ltd, now a subsidiary.

LAUGFS Holdings marks its 30th anniversary, highlighting its evolution from an LPG importer into a diversified conglomerate. The group outlines operations across energy (LPG terminals, maritime, renewable power), retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and tourism.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board hosted the Palestinian Ambassador to explore expanding market access for Sri Lankan exports—highlighting Ceylon tea, natural rubber, coconut products, spices, processed foods and Ayurveda/herbal personal care. The EDB proposed online awareness sessions and possible business delegations to connect Sri Lankan exporters with Palestinian buyers.

Fitch warns that recent US reciprocal tariffs (25% from 7 Aug 2025, plus a 25% levy on certain oil imports from 27 Aug) raise risks for Indian corporates: while direct exposure is currently limited, higher or additional tariffs could hit pharmaceuticals, autos, chemicals and oil marketing companies and weigh on FY26 growth.

LAUGFS Holdings celebrates its 30th anniversary, noting its transformation from Gas Auto Lanka into a diversified conglomerate with operations in more than 20 companies across power & energy, retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, property and international markets.

Doc Talk (Pvt) Ltd launched Doc Talk, a new YouTube platform in Sri Lanka providing expert-driven health and wellness education and practical guidance on preventive care, nutrition, mental health and emerging medical trends.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board met the Palestinian Ambassador to promote bilateral trade and expand market access for Sri Lankan exports — highlighting Ceylon tea, rubber, coconut products, spices, processed foods and Ayurveda/personal care — and proposed online awareness sessions and business delegations.

Evertron's patented 'W.O.W' (Water Optimising Waves) technology, backed by about 40 global patents, will make its international debut in Sri Lanka and was unveiled at the Hilton Colombo by inventor Hisao Tanaka. The system targets applications across food preservation, healthcare, beauty and related consumer sectors by enhancing the molecular structure of water.

Major General (Dr.) P.A. Chrisantha Fernando (Retd.) has been appointed Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of The Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC. He is a consultant anaesthetist with over 34 years' experience and has held senior leadership roles in the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps.

Manufacturing PMI rose to 62.2 and Services PMI to 70.1 in July, indicating stronger expansion in both sectors. Manufacturing was supported by food & beverages and textiles/apparel, while services growth was driven by wholesale & retail trade, financial services and higher employment.

MAS Athlete Training Academy marks one year and announced SLIIT as its higher-education partner offering five annual scholarships (two awarded for 2025); Academy athletes account for over 60% of junior national squads and nearly 70% of junior medals, and the programme has introduced performance-based grading and a new health insurance scheme.

Sinopec launched the “Clear Spring” CSR project, installing a 5,000 L/day water purification unit at the Madhu Maatha Filling Station to supply safe drinking water to pilgrims and nearby communities. The company plans to map additional high-need sites across North Central and Eastern Provinces.

E.B. Creasy & Co PLC reported Q1 FY26 consolidated revenue of Rs. 8.6 bn (up 28%) and PBT of Rs. 479 m (up 146%), with PAT of Rs. 298 m (up 204%). The consumer segment contributed 61% of turnover and the company announced a Rs. 1.52 bn rights issue at Rs. 60 per share.

J Med Supply, founded by Sri Lankan-born John Amirthiah, was named to the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the US. Founded in 2016, the DME distributor operates distribution centres across multiple US states and serves hospices, nursing centres, pharmacies and Medicare providers.

Cuu Long University has awarded five full scholarships to Sri Lankan students to study in Vietnam. The awards cover one year of Vietnamese language plus undergraduate (4-year) or graduate (2-year) study, free tuition and dormitory, a ~3.6m dong living allowance and a roundtrip ticket.

Sri Lanka's central bank services PMI rose to 70.1 in July from 61.9 in June, indicating accelerated expansion led by wholesale and retail trade, financial services (higher lending) and transportation of goods. New business entries and employment also increased and near-term activity expectations improved.

Brown & Company PLC (BRWN.N0000) won the Silver Award in the Trading Category at the National Business Excellence Awards 2025. The recognition cites the group's governance, strategic leadership and operational excellence and coincides with its 150th anniversary.

Dipped Products (DIPD.N0000) entered a 30-year lease with the Board of Investment for a 4.75-acre site with buildings in the Katunayake EPZ for one billion rupees to boost production capacity. In Dec 2024 the company acquired Hi Care Thai Gloves for $11m to expand its global footprint.

Sri Lanka will allow regulated cannabis cultivation in designated export zones for medical-grade exports under BOI and Department of Ayurveda supervision, issuing initial six-month licences (renewable) to seven foreign investors and prohibiting domestic sale.

COYLE and JETRO launched the Sri Lankan Corporate Health & Productivity Awards 2025 at Shangri-La Colombo on 13 August, with Sampath Bank as the principal sponsor. Applications are open and submissions close on 31 October 2025.

AIA Insurance renewed its partnership with the Sri Lanka Cancer Society for the seventh consecutive year, pledging Rs.100 for every new policy sold to support patient care, education and awareness.

The EDB held a strategic meeting with 15 newly appointed diplomatic representatives to strengthen Sri Lanka's export capabilities and market penetration. Appointments span Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas and target exporters of tea, textiles, spices, IT services, pharmaceuticals and value-added manufacturing.