The CSE opened down yesterday and remained in the red throughout midday trading in the manner of other markets in the region, following US President Donald Trump’s threat to annihilate Iran’s energy infrastructure.

Amid those developments both indices moved downwards. The All Share Price Index went down by 274.64 points, while the S and P SL20 declined by 49.95 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2.37 billion with four crossings.

Those crossings were: JKH four million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 72 million and its shares traded at Rs 18, Commercial Bank 350,000 shares crossed for Rs 66.9 million; its shares traded at Rs 191.50, Hayleys 200,000 shares crossed for Rs 41 million; its shares sold at Rs 205 and Softlogic Life Insurance 287,000 shares crossed for Rs 23 million; its shares sold at Rs 80.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; JKH Rs 154 million (8.6 million shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 122 million (855,000 shares traded), Hayleys Rs 201 million (491,000 shares traded), Colombo Dockyard Rs 82.4 million (711,000 shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 81 million (537,000 shares traded), Prime Lands Residencies Rs 74.7 million (1.6 million shares traded) and LVE Energy Fund Rs 74.5 million, nine million shares crossed. During the day 96.2 million shares volumes changed hands in 31083 transactions.

It is said that manufacturing sector counters, especially JKH, led the market while the banking sector also performed well, especially Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank. Energy sector companies, especially Lanka IOC, performed well.

Yesterday,the Central Bank announced the US dollar rate as against the rupee. The rupee was quoted significantly weaker at Rs 312.50/313.50 to the US dollar in the spot market from Rs 311.80/312.00 Friday, dealers said, while bond yields opened comparatively steady.

The telegraphic transfer rates for the American dollar were 308.5000 buying, 315.5000 selling; the British pound was 410.3335 buying, and 421.6369 selling, and the euro was 354.1133 buying, 365.5327 selling.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

Human resources remain the biggest challenge despite advanced logistics

Industry-wide cost pressures are also beginning to surface

In Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical trade, the journey of a medicine does not end when it arrives at the port. It must still travel safely across the island – through regulated warehouses, temperature-controlled transport and complex distribution routes – before reaching the pharmacy shelf where patients need it.

That journey is increasingly being powered by Healthguard Distribution, the pharmaceutical logistics arm of Sunshine Holdings, whose expanding distribution network now plays a critical role in ensuring the reliable movement of medicines across the country.

At the centre of that network is the company’s Western Regional Distribution Centre (WRDC), a temperature-controlled logistics hub designed to support the safe storage and efficient distribution of pharmaceutical products across the Western Province.

Spanning nearly 18,920 square feet, the facility functions as a key node in the company’s islandwide distribution system. Originally acquired in 2008 to serve as the main warehouse for Swiss Biogenic Ltd., the site evolved alongside the company’s growing operations. Following a major upgrade programme that began in July 2024, the facility recommenced operations in July 2025 as a fully compliant regional distribution centre aligned with international quality standards.

According to Sunshine Pharmaceuticals and Healthguard Distribution Chief Executive Officer Shantha Bandara, the company’s logistics model is built around a simple but comprehensive concept.

“Our approach is ‘Port to Pharmacy’,” Bandara said during a recent media visit. “We collect pharmaceutical consignments from the Port of Colombo, clear them through Customs, store them under regulated conditions and then distribute them to pharmacies across the country. Importers and manufacturers do not have to worry about logistics – we manage the entire process.”

The distribution network today serves over 4,500 authorised pharmaceutical outlets, including pharmacies, hospitals, channeling centres, supermarkets and SPC Osusala outlets. Operations span 150 main towns and 466 sub towns, supported by 111 active delivery routes and seven regional distribution centres located across the island.

Within that system, the WRDC is the largest and among the most technologically advanced hubs.

The facility maintains strict cold-chain conditions for temperature-sensitive medicines. Its cold room capacity has been expanded from 15 cubic metres to 30 cubic metres, enabling compliant storage of products such as insulin within the required 2–8°C range. Online temperature monitoring systems operate across all storage zones while data loggers are used for insulin deliveries to ensure product integrity throughout the supply chain.

Delivery vehicles are also equipped with GPS tracking and temperature monitoring systems, allowing real-time visibility of shipments.

Automation and digital systems are increasingly shaping the operation. Software automation supports invoicing and customer credit verification, while sales teams use digital tools for order canvassing. The company’s enterprise systems provide real-time inventory and accounting visibility, supported by data dashboards used for operational decision-making.

To safeguard continuity, the facility is equipped with a high-capacity backup generator and dedicated on-site fuel storage, ensuring cold rooms, monitoring systems and warehouse operations remain functional even during power outages.

Behind the infrastructure is a workforce of 102 employees, supported by a specialised 15-member value-added services team trained in Good Distribution Practice (GDP), cold-chain management, safety and emergency response.

Yet despite the sophisticated logistics and infrastructure, Bandara told The Island that the most persistent operational challenge lies in human resources.

“We have the infrastructure, the logistics systems and the operational capability,” he noted. “However, maintaining the required number of skilled employees is an ongoing challenge because the labour market is constantly fluctuating. Our HR team is continuously recruiting and training to keep the workforce at the required level.”

Industry-wide cost pressures are also beginning to surface. Company officials noted that rising fuel prices could eventually affect transportation and electricity costs within the distribution chain, which may in turn influence pharmaceutical logistics expenses in the short term.

Still, the broader goal of the company remains unchanged – ensuring that medicines reach patients safely and on time.

From the moment a shipment arrives at the Port of Colombo to the point it reaches a pharmacy shelf, the process depends on precision logistics, regulatory compliance and operational discipline. For Sri Lanka’s healthcare supply chain, Healthguard Distribution’s growing network is becoming a key driver of that journey from port to pharmacy.

By Sanath Nanayakkare