Business
Regulators watching LOLC Development Finance PLC’s meteoric rise to fame in no time
By Hiran H. Senewiratne and Sanath Nanayakkare
The small-scale LOLC Development Finance PLC (NIFL) gaining a rapid and phenomenal increase in its share-price within just under a month is reverberating in Sri Lanka’s capital market sector today.
This is more so as there has been no price-sensitive information disclosed to the CSE by NIFL.
Shares of LOLC Development Finance closed at 618.75 rupees a share on June 29, i.e. 123.75 rupees or 25.00 percent up from the previous day.
In comparison to its end-May price of Rs. 73, closing at 618.75 rupees a share on Tuesday June 29 reflected a dramatic and controversial total gain of 747% in a little under a month.
On June 28, LOLC Development Finance shares rose to 495 rupees, up 23 percent, valuing the small finance company at 117 billion rupees making it the fourth-largest company by market capitalization.
It now has a market cap bigger than Commercial Bank, the country’s largest private commercial bank.
It is also valued more than Sampath Bank and Hatton National Bank.
NIFL is now only behind parent company LOLC, JKH and CTC.
When The Island contacted Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the State Minister of Finance, Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms about this development, he asked The Island to enquire it from the SEC.
In response, Tushara Jayaratne, Director SEC- External Relations and Capital Market Education said the SEC has also observed this undue pattern of the share price movement in question and has called for information from CSE. |
“The SEC too is evaluating the manner in which the transactions have taken place and we are analysing the pattern and behaviour of the investors. If we find any malpractices, we will take stern action against those whore involved in it,” Jayaratne said.
CSE Chairman Dumith Fernando said that CSE has closely monitored the situation and would take all appropriate action within the current regulatory framework.
Pressed for more information, the CSE chairman said,”As a practice, we do not comment on ongoing market surveillance related matters, but all appropriate action would be taken,”
Former Minister Eran Wickramaratne said that their should be some rationale for investors to buy shares in a small company like that.
He said that if such a thing is happening it should be investigated by the relevant authorities. Maybe outside investors are getting inside information about the parent company and are buying shares of NIFL. There must be some reason for investors at the stock market to purchase shares in this manner,” he said.
Head of Sales in Softlogic stockbrokers Eardly Kern said that NIFL’s basic earnings for the share year ended 31 March 2021 reflected 65 percent, which was also a very big amount in the stock market and its net assets value per share is Rs. 11.83. The company’s free float witnessed above shares of top 20 companies, he said.
The company has only 34,100 shares in public which is 0.01 percent out of the total issued shares and the balance 99.89 percent are with the owners and due to this inequality in the distribution of its shares, it maybe trading at an extraordinary price, Kern said.
Meanwhile Chairman of Sri Lanka Insurance Chairman Jagath Wellawatta said
Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) bought 2.5 million LOLC shares (LOLC parent company) for Rs. 1 billion on Tuesday.
“It was a business decision taken by our investment committee which reviews and makes such decisions on a periodical basis. When we see the opportunity, we will sell them at a higher price and make a profit in the interest of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation,” he said.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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