Sri Lanka stocks flat midday Friday, banks lead turnover

Friday July 3, 2026 11:37 am ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange indices were trading flat midday Friday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving up a marginal 0.03 percent. The ASPI was up 7.46 points at 22,229.37, while the more liquid S&P…

Friday July 3, 2026 11:37 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange indices were trading flat midday Friday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving up a marginal 0.03 percent. The ASPI was up 7.46 points at 22,229.37, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.11 percent, or 6.54 points, at 6,211.08. Positive contributors to the ASPI included Dialog Axiata (up 1.09 percent at 46.40 rupees), DFCC Bank (up 0.75 percent at 134.00 rupees), Vallibel One (up 1.47 percent at 96.50 rupees), and Singer Finance (Lanka) (up 2.13 percent at 52.80 rupees). Janashakthi Insurance (down 5.27 percent at 43.10 rupees), National Development Bank (down 0.88 percent at 112.00 rupees), Nations Trust Bank (down 0.79 percent at 315.00 rupees), Hikkaduwa Beach Resorts (down 1.89 percent at 5.20 rupees), and Hatton National Bank (down 0.06 percent at 400.00 rupees) were among the negative contributors and notable decliners. Market turnover was 433 million rupees. Banks led turnover with 279.8 million rupees. Hikkaduwa Beach Resorts announced the reopening of its hotel, Citrus Hikkaduwa, effective July 1, 2026, following the successful completion of scheduled refurbishment and upgrade works. Shares were trading at Rs.5.20, down 1.89 percent. Meanwhile, Singer Finance (Lanka) announced a milestone achievement, with its total asset base surpassing 100 billion rupees in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, according to its unaudited management accounts. Shares were up 2.13 percent, at Rs.52.801.10. (Colombo/July03/2026)

Friday July 3, 2026 11:05 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 335.25/35 to the US dollar in the spot market on Friday, stronger from 335.90/336.00 the previous day, while bond yields edged up slightly on profit taking, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for Sri Lanka’s rupee against the US dollar was 331.50 buying, 340.50 selling; the euro was 376.7044 selling, 390.6214 buying; and the pound was 441.8540 buying, 455.8996 selling. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 was quoted at 11.25/28 percent, up from 11.18/25 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 was quoted at 11.25/32 percent, up from 11.20/27 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted at 11.55/60 percent, up from 11.50/60 percent. A bond maturing on 15.01.2033 was quoted at 11.57/63 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 was quoted flat at 11.60/70 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2035 was quoted at 11.70/75 percent. (Colombo/Jul2/2026)

Friday July 3, 2026 10:45 am

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has sold 7,731 million rupees of treasury bills offered on tap at an average rate of 10.30 percent, the public debt management office said, bringing the total of bills sold this week to 107,731 million rupees. Total market subscription was 7,73 million rupees. The debt office sold a 6-month bill at 10.30 percent. On Wednesday (1) the debt office raised 100 billion rupees of 3, 6 and 12 month bills. The 6 and 112 month bills were later offered on tap. Sri Lanka Treasury bill yields rise, all bills sold The date of settlement is July 3. (Colombo/Jul3/2026)

Thursday July 2, 2026 6:00 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – As Sri Lanka scales renewable and storage capacity, clearly defined technical standards and frameworks are essential to ensure system reliability and investor confidence, speakers at an energy security forum have said. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted the discussion on “Energy Transition in Sri Lanka: Strategic Insights from Global Markets”, bringing together the public and private sectors to examine opportunities and challenges in the country’s evolving energy landscape. “As Sri Lanka continues its efforts to build a more sustainable and secure energy future, forums of this nature provide an important opportunity for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among stakeholders,” the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said. Speakers raised the need for creating an enabling environment that attracts investment, including the technical and safety standards required to protect consumers and businesses as storage and solar adoption scales nationally. The role of emerging technologies, technical standards, skills development, and industry–academia collaboration in supporting the next phase of Sri Lanka’s energy transition was discussed. The discussion also considered the importance of reliable energy infrastructure in meeting the growing demands of digital transformation, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, electric mobility, and data centres. The programme covered Sri Lanka’s energy future, including renewable energy development, energy security, regulatory and policy frameworks, electricity sector reforms, energy storage systems, grid modernization, investment and financing considerations, and international experiences in energy transition. Speakers highlighted the importance of aligning energy policy with broader economic development objectives, recognizing that affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy is a critical enabler of competitiveness, industrial growth, and national resilience. will continue working with industry and government stakeholders to develop evidence-based policy recommendations, including technical and safety standards, supporting Sri Lanka’s energy transition. (Colombo/Jul2/2026)

Thursday July 2, 2026 5:35 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 335.90/336.00 to the US dollar in the spot market on Thursday, from 336.20/40 the previous day, while bond yields were down, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for Sri Lanka’s rupee against the US dollar was 331.75 buying, 340.75 selling; the euro was 375.0737 selling, 388.9907 buying; and the pound was 439.7166 buying, 453.7622 selling. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 10.35/45 percent, down from 10.35/50 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 closed at 10.53/62 percent, down from 10.55/65 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 10.90/11.00 percent, down from 11.00/05 percent. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 closed at 11.18/25 percent, down from 11.30/38 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 closed at 11.20/27 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 11.50/60 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 11.60/70 percent, down from 11.65/75 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 closed at 11.65/75 percent. (Colombo/Jul2/2026)

Thursday July 2, 2026 3:08 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Thursday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index moving down 0.06 percent. The ASPI was down 13.99 points at 22,229.71, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.05 percent, or 3.34 points, at 6,209.85. Positive contributors to the ASPI were Cargills (Ceylon) (up 2.30 percent at 645.25 rupees), Dialog Axiata (up 0.88 percent at 45.90 rupees), Melstacorp (up 0.52 percent at 192.00 rupees), and Bukit Darah (up 1.67 percent at 869.50 rupees). Aitken Spence (down 2.78 percent at 148.75 rupees), DFCC Bank (down 1.12 percent at 133.00 rupees), and Ceylon Tobacco Company (down 0.91 percent at 1,800.25 rupees) were top negative contributors. Market turnover was 1.52 billion rupees. Capital goods led turnover with 834.9 million rupees. Crossings were recorded in Hemas Holdings (20,949,956 shares), Windforce (500,000 shares), and Printcare (507,861 shares) SANASA Life Insurance successfully concluded a private placement of 5 million unlisted, redeemable, subordinated debentures, raising 500 million rupees. The proceeds are currently held in an escrow account to meet the regulatory capital adequacy ratio required to lift the suspension on its insurance license. Following the issue, the company’s capital adequacy ratio is estimated to range between 141 percent and 160 percent, fulfilling the minimum regulatory requirement of 120 percent. Shares closed up 3.04 percent at Rs.54.30. (Colombo/July02/2026)

Thursday July 2, 2026 2:42 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – Sampath Bank has won the titles of Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank, Best Commercial Bank, and Best Corporate Governance – Sri Lanka 2026, at the World Finance Banking Awards 2026. Presented by UK-based World Finance magazine, the awards recognise institutions that demonstrate excellence in performance, innovation, leadership, customer value, long-term sustainability and governance. This is the 12th year that Sampath Bank has been named both Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank and Best Commercial Bank. “While the retail and commercial banking honours recognise our ability to consistently deliver meaningful value and innovative financial solutions, the governance accolade affirms the strength of the principles that guide every decision we make,” Sanjaya Gunawardana, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sampath Bank, said. “These achievements reinforce our commitment to building a resilient, future-ready financial institution that contributes to the progress of Sri Lanka.” World Finance evaluates financial institutions through an assessment process that considers financial performance, innovation, operational excellence, customer experience, sustainability, leadership, and governance. Sampath Bank’s recognition for corporate governance reflects the strength of an integrated governance framework supported by robust Board oversight, proactive risk management practices, and a culture that prioritises responsibility and ethical conduct, the bank said. The dual banking honours recognise more than a decade of consistent performance and customer-focused innovation. The bank has continued to strengthen its digital capabilities, expand access to financial services, support business growth, and introduce solutions that respond to changing customer expectations. (Colombo/Jul2/2026)