LOLC Finance PLC continues to strengthen its presence across Sri Lanka, reaffirming its commitment to improving financial accessibility and delivering innovative, customer-centric financial solutions to communities nationwide. Through its expanding branch network, the company remains focused on supporting individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses while contributing to regional economic development.

Further expanding its islandwide footprint, LOLC Finance PLC inaugurated its new Gelioya Branch on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at No. 67/1, Karamada, Gelioya. Strategically located in an area experiencing growing commercial and community activity, the branch is expected to enhance access to a comprehensive range of financial services for individuals, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

The ceremonial opening was attended by Nishantha Jayasekara, Head of Gold Loan, and Shiraz Refai, Head of Alternate Financial Services, together with members of the LOLC Finance team, customers, and distinguished invitees from the area.

In a further step towards enhancing customer convenience, LOLC Finance PLC also relocated its Galenbidunuwewa Branch to a new premises on Seeppukulama Road, Galenbidunuwewa, on 22 May 2026. The relocation is aimed at providing improved accessibility while continuing to offer a wide range of financial solutions tailored to the needs of individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses in the region.

The opening ceremony of the relocated branch was attended by Upul Samarasinghe, Head of Credit, and Hasala Thilekaratne, Chief Digital Officer of LOLC Finance PLC, alongside members of the LOLC Finance team, customers, and well-wishers from the area.

Internationally benchmarked climate action

Aitken Spence PLC reached a defining moment in its sustainability journey, becoming the first diversified holdings company in Sri Lanka to have its emission reduction targets validated by SBTi. For a Group whose operations span 17 industry sectors and several geographical regions, this complexity is amplified. Each sector presents unique challenges, from energy-intensive operations to service-oriented businesses with wide networks and value chains. Bringing these diverse units together under a unified climate strategy calls on a comprehensive understanding of operational processes, a robust governance framework, a mature system and consistent monitoring mechanisms to ensure measurable outcomes.

According to UNEP’s latest Emissions Gap Report, global temperatures are likely to exceed 1.5°C within the next decade and the window for meaningful action is narrowing. 2024 was the first calendar year in human history to exceed 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, the very threshold the Paris Agreement was agreed to prevent. Corporates have a critical role to play in addressing climate change, and global expectations for corporate climate action are justifiably rising.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a corporate climate action organisation designed to address this responsibility, enabling companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis. An independent global organisation that reviews whether corporate climate targets are in line with the level of action needed to tackle climate change, SBTi was initially founded as a collaboration between CDP, United Nations Global Compact, We Mean Business Coalition, World Resources Institute (WRI), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

SBTi validation strengthens the credibility of Aitken Spence’s climate commitments by anchoring its emissions reduction pathway to independently verified sciencebased thresholds. This enhances confidence among investors and other stakeholders by demonstrating that the Group’s decarbonisation trajectory is aligned with global climate science rather than internally defined benchmarks.

Commenting on this achievement, Chairman/Chairperson of Aitken Spence PLC, Ms. Stasshani Jayawardena said, “Receiving SBTi validation for our targets is a proud milestone for Aitken Spence and an important indicator of where we are headed as a Group. As global expectations around climate responsibility continue to evolve, we believe businesses must lead with clarity, accountability and ambition. This recognition reflects our willingness to take bold decisions, transform the way we operate, and align our growth ambitions with internationally accepted climate goals. Across our diverse businesses and markets, sustainability will continue to shape how we invest, innovate and create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

By achieving this validation, the Group attests that large, multi-sector organisations can pursue climate responsibility with coherence and measurable impact, even while managing the complexities inherent to diverse business operations.

This landmark achievement is further reinforced by Aitken Spence’s longstanding track record of pioneering sustainability-led innovation across industries. The Group is the first and only company in Sri Lanka to invest in a waste-to-energy power project through Western Power Company, pioneered the world’s first LEED Gold certified hotel with Heritance Kandalama, and established the first carbon neutral, green printing facility in the South Asian region through Aitken Spence Printing.

Looking ahead, the validated targets provide a clear framework for guiding future investments, initiatives and partnerships, while supporting more informed responses to climaterelated risks and emerging regulatory expectations. In doing so, SBTi validation reinforces sustainability as a core element of the Group’s longterm strategy and resilience.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, 03rd June 2026: JAT Holdings PLC recorded its highest-ever annual revenue in FY25/26, with performance reflecting the continued strength of its core coatings business, disciplined manufacturing strategy, and investments in emerging growth platforms despite a challenging external environment.

For the year ended 31 March 2026, Group revenue increased by 9% year-on-year to Rs. 12.6 billion, compared to Rs. 11.6 billion in the previous year. Local revenue grew by 12% to Rs. 9.7 billion, additionally supported by the EV charger business and the decorative paints segment, while foreign operations recorded Rs. 2.9 billion.

Gross profit rose by 21% to Rs. 4.8 billion, with gross profit margin improving from 34% to 38%. This improvement was a key indicator of the quality of the Group’s growth during the year, supported by a stronger product mix, improved manufacturing control, backward vertical integration, and operational efficiencies across JAT’s facilities in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Profit before tax increased by 5% to Rs. 1.68 billion, while finance costs reduced by 17% to Rs. 292 million due to effective debt management and lower interest rates. Profit after tax stood at Rs. 1.52 billion. Profit after tax was impacted by the reduction of the previous year’s deferred tax asset, which affected year-on-year comparability. Underlying performance remained resilient, with revenue, gross profit, gross margin and profit before tax all improving during the year.

Selling and distribution expenses, as well as administrative expenses, increased during the year, primarily due to the consolidation of Mirotone following its acquisition in October 2025, reflecting the Group’s expanded operating footprint.

Despite the temporary impact of Cyclone Ditwah in Q3, JAT achieved its highest-ever wood coatings sales, with the segment recording 9% growth and a 5% improvement in GP margin. Notably, 83% of wood coatings sales came from the loyalty base, a 16% increase from the previous year’s sales contribution while the loyalty base itself has grown by 10%. The Company also completed the second phase of its binder plant expansion, increasing capacity by 76%. This expansion further strengthened JAT’s backward vertical integration strategy, improving control over critical inputs, supporting margin resilience, and reducing exposure to supply chain and import-related volatility.

The emulsion category recorded 15% sales growth during the year, while product development efforts continued with the further enhancement of Hydro+ waterproofing paint for exterior walls and the development of three new water-based binders for waterproofing paints, interior wood coatings and wall coatings. Brushes continued steady growth, with sales up 12% and GP margins improving by 7%.