News & market updates

ASPI jumped 3.43% (743.22 pts) to 22,380.65 as markets rallied on signs of a possible end to the Middle East war, with index-weighted counters SAMP, COMB, JKH, MELS and DIAL among top contributors; turnover exceeded Rs.4bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.21.1m).

International Distillers Limited (IDL) reopened the renovated Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Office in Kaduwela on 6 May 2026 and presented Enfamama nutritional supplement packages to pregnant mothers attending the clinic.

SLIIT and Japanese collaborators published a Scientific Reports study applying explainable AI to intentional injury mortality across 25 countries in the Americas (2000–2019), finding long-term structural conditions drive suicide and homicide rates. The paper used SHAP analysis to interpret key socioeconomic and governance drivers for policy-relevant public health surveillance.

Kayden Cares Framework calls for national action after a fatal fire at an overcrowded, unregistered elderly care home in Horana. It aims to develop care standards, training, quality assurance and digital tools and is inviting care providers and partners to join its national platform.

Sri Lanka's real GDP grew 5.1% year-on-year in Q1 2026 to Rs. 3,652,503 million (2015 prices). Growth was led by industry (+7.2%)—notably construction (+16.3%) and mining (+19.5%)—while services rose 3.4% (insurance, IT, financial services) and agriculture grew 1.1%.

The Sri Lanka–Thailand Business Council marks its 25th anniversary with a celebration on 19 June at the Kingsbury Hotel and a 25-member delegation from the Board of Trade Thailand in attendance. The council highlights opportunities for trade and investment across tourism, IT/digital, renewable energy and healthcare.

DFCC Bank PLC has partnered with Vision Care Optical Services to extend benefits to DFCC Garusaru senior citizen debit cardholders, including up to 15% discounts on selected eyewear and hearing aids and complimentary eye screenings and pressure tests nationwide.

Ceylinco Life warns Sri Lanka is ageing rapidly, creating district-level retirement gaps; Colombo's essential needs cost about Rs. 18,044/month (Jan 2026) while the national poverty line reached Rs. 16,730 by April 2026. Life insurers can offer structured retirement solutions as healthcare access, inflation and migration widen pressures.

HighVoltagePR, marking its 10th anniversary, has entered a strategic partnership with Ncatalysts to integrate traditional PR and reputation management with digital performance marketing and digital product capabilities. The collaboration aims to offer combined PR, digital marketing and customer-experience services to Sri Lankan brands.

The India–Sri Lanka Binational Bridge and Tunnel proposal — a ~23 km link estimated to cost US$3.6–5.19bn — could lift tourism by 50–70% and cut some transport costs by up to 50%, reshaping trade, logistics and connectivity. Sri Lanka has paused advancement over technical, environmental and sovereignty concerns.

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said authorities are reviewing requests to raise medicine prices amid rising import and production costs and exchange-rate movements. The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry warned supply-chain pressures, higher freight and fuel charges and rupee depreciation risk medicine shortages.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.89% (191.45 points) to 21,270.02. Bank stocks led declines with DFCC, Commercial Bank and National Development Bank among top negatives, while Ambeon, Melstacorp and Asiri gained; Asia Asset Finance filed a rights issue to raise Rs1.5bn.

Asiri Hospital Holdings' Asiri Central Hospital has completed over 200 successful kidney transplants with a success rate exceeding 98%. The centre uses multidisciplinary specialist teams and advanced protocols/infrastructure to provide local transplant care and reduce the need for overseas treatment.

Technoli Institute held an AI-Powered Business Executive programme on 3 June 2026 at Jetwing Colombo Seven with Trident/Microsoft, Flash Health and Jetwing partners, where senior managers built live AI agents and learned AI decision frameworks, security and ethics.

KOKO has joined Mastercard's 'Tap for Change' campaign to channel contactless and KOKO-powered e-commerce transactions into fundraising for the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital. The partnership aims to boost contactless payment adoption and let consumers contribute to cancer care via everyday purchases.

La Serena held a Vesak Bhakthi Gee devotional recital for residents and invited guests, and about 60% of its residents are expatriate Sri Lankans. The gathering reinforced community bonds at the beachfront retirement resort that offers assisted living and shared amenities.

The Sri Lanka–Thailand Business Council marks its 25th anniversary in 2026, holding a silver-jubilee event on 19 June at The Kingsbury Hotel with a 25-member Board of Trade Thailand delegation attending. The council highlights continued efforts to boost trade, investment and cooperation across tourism, logistics, healthcare, renewable energy and IT.

Sri Lanka's BOI and Japanese partners held the 4th working-level Japan–Sri Lanka Committee on Business Environment on 2 June 2026 in Colombo to review and resolve investor concerns and strengthen FDI ties. The session stressed accountability and priorities such as technology transfer, green industry, manufacturing and tourism.

The DRC's Ebola outbreak and WHO emergency declaration prompted the US to impose a 21-day isolation rule on the DRC World Cup team and supporters, leading many fans to reroute travel to Mexico. China deployed a five-member medical expert team to assist DRC's Ebola response.

The Ceylon Chamber will hold the 26th Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit on 12–13 October, focused on economic growth, competitiveness, investment and structural reforms. Sessions will cover trade and regional integration, energy security, digital transformation and healthcare.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) visited Hong Kong to strengthen regulatory capabilities and align supervisory practices with global standards through meetings with the Hong Kong Insurance Authority, Hong Kong health and actuarial bodies, and senior AIA Group leadership.

KOKO has joined Mastercard’s 'Tap for Change' campaign to convert contactless Mastercard and KOKO e‑commerce/BNPL transactions into donations for the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital in Sri Lanka. The initiative also seeks to boost contactless payment adoption among digital-native shoppers.

Round Table Sri Lanka reached over 64,800 people with relief, deploying LKR 21 million in hygiene supplies and 18,000 household packs after Cyclone Ditwah caused an estimated US$4.1 billion in damage and displaced millions. The fellowship used corporate-style logistics, airlifts and distribution hubs and is moving into Phase 3 recovery to rebuild rural schools.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold the 26th Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit on 12–13 October 2026. The Summit will focus on economic growth, investment, trade, fiscal and structural reforms, energy security and sustainability, healthcare, and digital transformation.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold the 26th Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit on Oct 12-13 to focus on pressing national priorities including economic growth, investment, trade, fiscal and structural reforms, energy security, healthcare and digital transformation.

Kings Hospital Colombo has completed 25 adult living-donor liver transplants since launching its program in early 2025, expanding local access to advanced liver transplant care and reducing reliance on overseas treatment.

UNP criticised a Verité Research comparison of legislative output, arguing Sirisena’s first 18 months produced higher-quality laws — citing the 19th Amendment, National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act and Right to Information Act. It also referenced Ranil Wickremesinghe’s 75 laws including the 22nd Amendment and Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act.

Ceylinco Life signed an MoU with FTZMA to be the insurance service provider for FTZMA member companies, offering customised employee health and retirement plans; Ceylinco Life and Ceylinco General will also be FTZMA AGM gold sponsors for three consecutive years starting 2026.

EDB and NMRA met with pharmaceutical manufacturers in Colombo to address export barriers, citing delays in product registration and regulatory approvals as key constraints to boosting exports. They committed to aligning processes with international benchmarks to support Sri Lanka's $36bn export target by 2030.

KPMG in Sri Lanka appointed Sachiru Dayananda as Partner effective 1 June 2026. He has 14 years of experience at KPMG, wide industry exposure (including financial services, plantations, healthcare and hospitality) and expertise in LKAS/SLFRS and IFRS implementations.