News & market updates

Sevalanka Foundation, funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation, launched a relief programme in Biyagama to restore safe water and healthcare after Cyclone Ditwah, donating water pumps and rehabilitating wells and public facilities. The project supports MOH-run clinics with sanitization, emergency medical supplies and medical camps, and distributes hygiene, nutrition and household relief packs to vulnerable groups.

The Cabinet approved a $10m KOICA‑funded WFP project (2025–2029) to improve maize quality and strengthen the Thriposha supply chain, benefiting about 7,500 farmers in Anuradhapura, Moneragala and Badulla.

Sri Lanka's rupee weakened to 310.10/20 per US dollar while bond yields opened broadly steady and a 100,000 million rupee T-bill auction was ongoing. Analysts warned central bank dollar purchases could push the rupee down and, if sterilized via deflationary policy, raise energy and food costs.

John Keells Holdings PLC-led consortium contributed Rs. 400 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund for Cyclone Ditwah relief; contributions included Nations Trust Bank Rs.100m, SAGT Rs.100m and Rs.50m each from Lanka Marine, Jaykay Marketing, Union Assurance and Elephant House.

NOLIMIT opened its 28th store in Jaffna. The four-story outlet offers menswear, womenswear, kids wear, homeware, cosmetics and more, and the company says it plans further store openings across Sri Lanka.

Associated Motorways (AMW) handed over relief packs to the Disaster Management Centre to assist 1,000 families affected by the Ditwah Cyclone, with each pack containing food, basic medication and daily necessities.

UK bans adverts for less healthy food and drinks on TV before 9pm and online at all times, effective today; measures are projected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories/year and deliver £2 billion in long-term health benefits. The plan also extends the Soft Drinks Levy to sugary milk drinks, restricts fast-food outlets near schools, and bans high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s.

The Cabinet approved tax relief for dates imported as donations or gifts for free distribution during Ramadan (19 Feb–21 Mar 2026), applicable to imports by diplomatic missions, organisations and individuals provided the imports are made without the use of foreign exchange.

Sri Lanka opened a pavilion at the Muscat Festival on 1 January 2026 to promote tourism and Sri Lankan goods, featuring 10 stalls showcasing tea, jewellery, cosmetics, batik and traditional food. The month-long festival is Oman’s largest, drew over 4 million visitors last year and includes cultural performances and a fashion show.

Cleantech and Pepsi have formed a strategic sustainability partnership to scale PET bottle recycling at Cleantech’s Wattala facility, which increased monthly recycling from 30 tons in Jan 2025 to 80 tons by Dec 2025 (≈1.14M to 3.04M bottles, a 167% capacity rise).

Sri Lanka's coconut and coconut-based product exports reached USD 1,033.9 million in Jan–Oct 2025, a 43.83% increase year‑on‑year, the Industries Ministry said. The Ministry attributed growth to value‑added products (liquid coconut milk, virgin coconut oil, desiccated coconut, activated carbon, coco peat) and aims to raise revenue to USD 2.5bn by 2030.

Sunshine Holdings PLC (SUN) has been included in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index, effective 22 December 2025 (after market close on 19 December 2025), reflecting its ~LKR70 billion market capitalisation and six‑month median daily value traded of LKR45.6 million which meets index thresholds.

Ranyan Industries' Amami brand won the Silver Award and Top Achiever Award (Small Category) at the CNCI Achievers Awards 2025. Amami supplies Ayurvedic and herbal hotel amenities to major Sri Lankan hotels and emphasizes locally sourced raw materials and export expansion.

Colombo Coffee Company and the Embassy of Italy held the 'La Dolce Tazza' masterclass in Colombo, showcasing Italian coffee brands and techniques and reinforcing Colombo Coffee Company's role as Sri Lanka's largest importer and distributor of premium Italian coffee.

TikTok released Sri Lanka's top searches for 2025, highlighting travel and cultural trends and naming a Watawala Tea advertisement among the year's notable moments.

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS.N0000) won the Winner Award at the Sri Lanka National Quality Awards 2023 in the Large, Manufacturing category. The SLSI-presented accolade recognizes organisational and manufacturing excellence and reinforces CCS's leadership in Sri Lanka's FMCG sector.

SPAR Group South Africa pledged Rs. 35 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund to support infrastructure restoration, displaced families and livelihoods after Cyclone Ditwah. SPAR Sri Lanka (a CBL–SPAR South Africa collaboration) also mobilised its retail and supply chain to ensure access to essentials.

Headline inflation (CCPI YoY) remained steady at 2.1% in December 2025, unchanged from October and November, the CBSL said. Month-on-month CCPI rose 1.26% in December—food contributed 1.25ppt amid cyclone-related supply disruptions—and core inflation edged up to 2.7%.

SPAR Group South Africa pledged Rs. 35 million to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund to support recovery after Cyclone Ditwah, while SPAR Sri Lanka mobilised its retail and supply chain network to restore infrastructure, assist displaced families and ensure access to essentials.

ASPI rose 42% in 2025, lifting market capitalization 41.67% to Rs. 8.07 trillion and generating Rs. 2.4 trillion in value. Final-day turnover exceeded Rs. 4.6 billion, three firms (CALH, JFP, WTS) listed during the year, and JKH, SFCL, ACL, SAMP and HASU were top contributors.

Sri Lanka's annual inflation was 2.1% in the 12 months to December 2025, with prices up 1.2% in December and food prices spiking; the rupee depreciated to about 309.5/USD by year-end amid large central bank dollar purchases and a deflationary policy stance.

Colombo CCPI headline inflation held at 2.1% year-on-year in December 2025, while month-on-month prices rose 1.26% largely due to food supply disruptions from Cyclone Ditwah. Core inflation accelerated to 2.7% and projections expect a gradual rise towards 5%.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 41.7% year-on-year in 2025, closing 0.79% higher at 22,624.31 on Dec 31. Capital goods, food & beverage and banking led turnover, with John Keells, Senkadagala Finance, ACL Cables, Sampath Bank and HNB Assurance among top contributors; net foreign outflow was Rs103 million.

Aggregate profits of 273 listed companies fell 12% YoY to Rs.176.5 billion in Sep-25, ending a seven-quarter growth streak. Banks (Rs.52bn, +39% YoY) and diversified financials (Rs.39bn, +112% YoY) underpinned a QoQ rebound, while food, beverage & tobacco and capital goods posted steep declines.

Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC has been invited to be Patron of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Supply Chain Working Group, recognising its sustainable supply-chain role; 71% of its 2024/25 supplier spend (Rs.14,494m of Rs.20,440m) was with local suppliers.

A 26-member Sri Lankan delegation, including Cargills (CARG.N0000), Hayleys (HAYL.N0000) and CIC (CIC.N0000), participated at FoodAG 2025 in Karachi (25–27 Nov 2025) to pursue sourcing, distribution and trade partnerships. Meetings covered livestock import regulation talks and efforts to strengthen trade under the Pakistan–Sri Lanka FTA.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 1.49% as the ASPI closed 313.56 points higher at 22,445.89, led by gains in Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp, HNB and Commercial Bank. Market turnover fell to 3.4 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 36.73 million rupees, led by John Keells.

Dividend · Rs 0.31 · XD Jan 9, 2026

Third Interim dividend of LKR 0.31/share; XD 2026-01-09; record 2026-01-11; payable 2026-01-23; FY 2025/26