Business Month-end profit-takings drive stock trading; indices up Published 5 mins agoon 2026/06/27 CSE trading was yesterday driven by month- end profit-takings, market analysts said.Amid those developments both indices moved upwards. The All Share Price Index went up by 2.77 p…
Business Month-end profit-takings drive stock trading; indices up
Published 5 mins agoon 2026/06/27
CSE trading was yesterday driven by month- end profit-takings, market analysts said.Amid those developments both indices moved upwards. The All Share Price Index went up by 2.77 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 10.91 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.91 billion with two crossings. Those crossings were; ACL Cables 2.1 million shares crossed to the tune of 209 million; its shares traded at Rs 100 and Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed for Rs 24.1 million; its shares traded at Rs 240. In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were: Hayleys Rs 141 million (587,000 shares traded), Lanka Realty Rs 105 million (1.8 million shares traded), CIC (Non Voting) Rs 81 million (3.1 million shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 79 million (8.3 million shares traded), Dialog Axiata Rs 56.7 million (1.2 million shares traded), Colombo Dockyard Rs 48.6 million (371,000 shares traded) and Singer SriLanka Rs 46.6 million (586,000 shares crossed). During the day 63.9 million share volumes changed hands in 18300 transactions. It is said that manufacturing sector counters, especially Hayleys, performed well while construction related companies, especially ACL Cables, also performed well. Banking sector counters, especially HNB, were also notable on the floor. Meanwhile, Lee Hedges concluded negotiations with Amana Bank to sell and transfer its land and premises in Kollupitiya for a total consideration of Rs 2.7 billion, with the transaction completed on June 25, 2026. Lee Hedges shares were trading up 2.52 percent, at Rs.325.75, while Amana Bank was up 1.13 percent at Rs.26.80. Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 336.90/337.00 to the US dollar in the spot market, from Rs 337.25/35 the previous day, while bond yields were quoted slightly higher, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for Sri Lanka’s rupee against the US dollar was 332.3416 buying, 342.0372 selling; the euro was 376.2315 selling, 389.9580 buying; and the pound was 436.5994 buying, 451.8110 selling. By Hiran H Senewiratne
Business MullenLowe’s Praveena Perera becomes first Sri Lankan woman named to Campaign APAC’s 40 Under 40
Published 5 mins agoon 2026/06/27
Praveena Perera Honoured among Asia-Pacific’s most influential emerging professionals Praveena Perera, Associate Vice President and Client Services Director at MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, has become the first Sri Lankan woman to be named to Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 40 Under 40 list, a recognition that celebrates the region’s most influential emerging leaders across marketing, media, technology, and communications. Now in its 14th year, Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 40 Under 40 recognises outstanding professionals across the region whose achievements and leadership potential are shaping the future of the industry. Praveena earned her place on the 2026 list following a comprehensive assessment by senior industry leaders and Campaign Asia-Pacific’s editorial team. Commenting on the recognition, Praveena Perera said, “This is a deeply meaningful milestone in a journey that has been shaped by continuous learning, hard work, and the support of many people along the way. I am grateful to MullenLowe Sri Lanka, my colleagues, mentors, and family for their belief in me. Recognition such as this is never an individual achievement, and I hope it encourages more women in Sri Lanka to pursue leadership opportunities and realise their potential.” Praveena currently leads the Unilever portfolio at MullenLowe Sri Lanka, overseeing 27 brands across four categories. Her leadership has played a pivotal role in driving business growth, strengthening client partnerships, and delivering award-winning work. These efforts contributed to MullenLowe Sri Lanka being named Creative Agency of the Year at the Campaign Agency of the Year Awards 2025, while also securing Agency of the Year and Marketer of the Year honours alongside Unilever Sri Lanka at the Effie Awards Sri Lanka 2025. As one of the youngest Associate Vice Presidents at MullenLowe Sri Lanka and among the first women to serve on its Operating Committee, Praveena has built a reputation for leadership that extends beyond business performance. Her growing list of achievements includes being recognised among the Top 50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards in 2023, reflecting a career marked by consistent excellence, while her commitment to mentoring future talent continues to contribute to greater female representation within the industry. Thayalan Bartlett, Executive Chairman of MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, said, “Praveena’s recognition is thoroughly deserved. She has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, commercial acumen, and resilience while navigating some of the most demanding circumstances our industry has faced. Her ability to balance performance, people development, and long-term thinking has distinguished her as one of the most promising leaders of her generation.” Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 2026 cohort comprises 40 professionals representing 14 markets across the region, selected for their contributions to business growth, innovation, leadership, and industry advancement. Praveena’s inclusion marks an important milestone for Sri Lanka’s communications industry and reflects the growing impact of Sri Lankan talent on the regional stage. MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka (MLG) is Sri Lanka’s largest integrated brand communications company with nine independent strategic business verticals spanning Mainstream, Digital, Activations, MarTech, Media and Public Relations. MLG’s Sri Lanka office consists of 111 staff, serves 43 of the nation’s top corporates, manages 111 brands across 33 categories, including 80% of the top 10 and 50% of the top 20 most advertised categories in the country, making it a company with prolific cross-category knowledge. Ranked among the world’s top 100 most effective agencies and APAC’s top 20, MLG is Sri Lanka’s reigning Effie Agency of the Year, Campaign Asia’s Creative Agency of the Year for South Asia, and a consistent local and regional awards leader for over a decade. It operates as a full member affiliate of MullenLowe Group Worldwide, which was recently acquired by Omnicom. As the world’s largest marketing services group, Omnicom combines unmatched global knowledge and experience with local insight to deliver end-to-end brand solutions.
Business ‘Go Anywhere, Get Anything’: Uber arrives in Sri Lanka’s gem capital
Published 5 mins agoon 2026/06/27
Uber, Sri Lanka’s leading ride-hailing and delivery platform, announced the launch of Uber Eats and Uber Rides in Ratnapura, further expanding its footprint across the island. Residents and visitors can now access food, groceries, everyday essentials, and reliable transportation through the Uber app, while local merchants, delivery partners, and drivers gain new opportunities to grow and earn. With Uber Eats now live across a broad coverage area in the district, customers can order from iconic local favourites such as XYZ , alongside grocery and retail partners, all delivered at the tap of a button. At the same time, Uber Rides offers residents and visitors a convenient and affordable way to get around entire Ratnapura district through a range of two-, three-, and four-wheel options. Known as Sri Lanka’s gem capital, Ratnapura is home to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, merchants, and small businesses, making it a natural next step in Uber’s expansion across Sri Lanka. Varun Wijewardane, Country Manager – Delivery, Uber Sri Lanka, said: “Ratnapura is home to a vibrant community of local businesses and entrepreneurs, and we’re excited to bring Uber Eats to the district. By connecting local merchants with more customers and creating flexible earning opportunities for delivery partners, we hope to make everyday convenience more accessible while supporting local economic growth.” Kaushalya Gunaratne, Country Manager – Mobility, Uber Sri Lanka, said: “We’re excited to bring Uber Rides to Ratnapura and make reliable, affordable mobility available to more people across the district. This launch creates new earning opportunities for local drivers while giving residents and visitors access to convenient transportation backed by technology designed to make every trip safer and more seamless.”