Business
Heavy share sellouts in Expolanka Holdings and LOLC Group negatively impact bourse
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
CSE trading was highly volatile yesterday despite December quarterly results of listed companies showing positive performances but CSE turnover was quite healthy as on most other days. The reason being index- heavy companies, mainly two blue chip counters, recording share sellouts, stock market analysts said.
At the beginning the stock market was positive but during the latter part of the day due to heavy sellouts/profit takings, especially in Expolanka Holdings and LOLC Group, the stock market turned negative, market analysts said.
This week, the ASPI has been down 3.6 per cent or 486 points and the S&P SL20’s plunge is sharper at 4.4 per cent or 204 points. The market capitalization of the CSE has lost Rs. 285 billion to close at Rs. 5.73 trillion as opposed to Rs. 6.01 trillion last Friday.
Accordingly, both indices moved downwards. The All- Share Price Index went down by 22.5 points and S and P SL20 declined by 4 points. Turnover stood at Rs 8.4 billion with a single crossing. The crossing was reported in Expolanka, which crossed 81000 shares to the tune of Rs 29.5 million, its shares traded at Rs 362.
In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Expolanka Holdings Rs 1.8 billion (5.1 million shares traded), Softlogic Life Insurance Rs 787 million (4.7 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 477 million (30.6 million shares traded), ALC Cables Rs 266 million (2.2 million shares traded), LOLC Holdings Rs 256 million (220,000 shares traded), Agstar Rs 202 million (17.9 million shares traded) and Vallibel One Rs 159 million (1.8 million shares traded). During the day 239 million share volumes changed hands in 49000 transactions.
High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Chevron Lubricants, Access Engineering and Hayleys. Mixed interest was observed in Expolanka Holdings, Softlogic Life Insurance and LOLC Holdings, while retail interest was noted in Browns Investments, SMB Leasing non-voting and Industrial Asphalts.
It is said the Transportation sector was the top contributor to market turnover (due to Expolanka Holdings), while the sector index lost 4.79 per cent. The share price of Expolanka Holdings decreased by Rs. 18 (4.77per cent) to close at Rs. 359.
The Food, Beverage and Tobacco sector was the second-highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Browns Investments), while the sector index decreased by 1.92 per cent.
Yesterday, the US dollar was quoted at Rs 202, which was the Central Bank controlled price. Actual price would be at the Rs 250 level, sources said.
Business
AIA delivers strong first half results in 2026; double-digit growth across key financial metrics
The Board of AIA Group Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the Group’s financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Growth rates are shown on a constant exchange rate basis unless otherwise stated:
New business performance and embedded value
Value of new business (VONB) of US$3,212 million, up 10 per cent overall and 14 per cent excluding Thailand(1)
Record high annualised operating ROEV of 18.0 per cent, up from 15.8 per cent in full year 2025
EV Equity of US$83.4 billion, up 6 per cent per share over the first half on an actual exchange rate basis
IFRS earnings
Operating profit after tax (OPAT) of US$4,163 million, up 13 per cent per share
AIA now expects to exceed OPAT per share CAGR target of 9 to 11 per cent from 2023 to 2026(2)
Record high annualised operating ROE of 17.5 per cent, up from 15.5 per cent in full year 2025
Cash generation and capital returns
Underlying free surplus generation (UFSG) of US$3,935 million, increased by 10 per cent per share
Net free surplus generation (net FSG) of US$2,758 million, up 12 per cent per share
US$3.6 billion returned to shareholders in the first half through dividend and share buy-back
Interim dividend increased by 10 per cent to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share
Lee Yuan Siong, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, said:
“AIA has delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2026, with double-digit growth across our key financial metrics, while continuing to return substantial capital to shareholders. VONB reached a record high of US$3.2 billion with growth across all distribution channels, and all reportable segments excluding Thailand. The Group has achieved 17 per cent CAGR since the first half of 2023(3), demonstrating consistently strong demand for AIA’s professional advice and differentiated products.
“At the core of our unrivalled distribution platform is our market-leading Premier Agency. I am delighted that AIA has once again been ranked the number one Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) multinational company globally. We have held this position for a record 12 consecutive years and we have more than double the number of MDRT members of our nearest competitor. In the first half of 2026, our Premier Agency achieved strong VONB growth of 11 per cent excluding Thailand(1). Our extensive network of strategic distribution partners further expands our market reach and generated an 18 per cent increase in VONB, supported by very strong performance in both the bancassurance and independent financial adviser (IFA) and broker channels.
“Strong new business, together with disciplined management of our in-force portfolio, has supported sustained growth in recurring earnings with OPAT per share up by 13 per cent in the first half. As a result, we expect to exceed our 9 to 11 per cent OPAT per share CAGR target for 2023 to 2026(2). UFSG, the Group’s core measure of operating cash generation, increased by 10 per cent per share. After allowing for new business investment, net FSG increased by 12 per cent per share. In accordance with our prudent, sustainable and progressive dividend policy, the Board has declared a 10 per cent increase in the interim dividend to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share. These achievements demonstrate that our financial strategy is working as intended.
“Asia remains the most compelling growth opportunity for life and health insurance. Powerful structural tailwinds across the region continue to create substantial demand for our professional advice and differentiated products and underpin the exceptional long-term prospects for AIA’s business. I am confident that AIA’s disciplined execution of our strategic priorities will continue to deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”
Business
British Council Sri Lanka launches soft skills workshops to elevate learning and empower communication
The British Council Sri Lanka has launched Corporate English Solutions (CES), tailored to the Sri Lankan corporate and education ecosystem, aimed at helping organisations strengthen workplace communication and professional development.
The launch event took place recently at the NH Collection, Colombo 3, gathering corporate partners, clients and education stakeholders throughout the country.
CES extends the British Council’s long-standing work in English language education and teacher training into a dedicated offering for the corporate sector. The launch introduced two new components to the British Council’s presence in Sri Lanka such as public workshops and teacher training programmes, open to learners and educators beyond the organisation’s existing corporate and academic partners. Guests at the event were shown a short video introducing Corporate English Solutions before the formal proceedings began.
Talal Meer, British Council Regional Business Development Director, South Asia, welcomed guests and introduced the British Council’s team in Sri Lanka. In his remarks, Meer set out the scope of the CES launch, covering the introduction of public workshops in Sri Lanka, the rollout of teacher training programmes, and an overview of the CES product portfolio. Meer’s role covers educational partnerships in the South Asia region, and his address framed the Sri Lanka launch within the British Council’s broader regional strategy.
Business
Ogilvy Group tops award tally at ‘Dragons of Sri Lanka’ 2026
Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka delivered a standout performance at the recently concluded Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026 Awards, securing a total of nine awards comprising two Gold Dragons, one Silver Dragon and six Black Dragons, among the festival’s highest overall award tallies. Gold Dragon wins for Phoenix Ogilvy and Ogilvy Digital, together with the seven additional recognitions across multiple categories, highlighted Ogilvy’s ability to combine creativity, strategic thinking and commercial effectiveness to deliver business results.
Organised by the 4As Sri Lanka, the third edition of Dragons of Sri Lanka shortlisted more than 50 agencies and corporates, making it one of the country’s most competitive marketing communications awards. These local awards, along with the chapters in Malaysia and Pakistan are part of the Dragons of Asia platform, one of the region’s leading programmes for marketing communications effectiveness, with entries being judged on strategy, originality, execution and measurable results.
Ogilvy Digital accounted for eight awards in total, including a Gold Dragon in the Business & Trade Marketing category, and a Silver Dragon in the Innovative Idea or Concept category. The Agency additionally received six Black Dragons across the categories of Innovative Idea or Concept, Business & Trade Marketing, Content Creation, Small Budget, Event or Experiential, and Brand Trial or Sales Generation.
Commenting on the achievement, Sajith Weerasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Ogilvy Digital, said, “These recognitions reflect the breadth of capabilities we’ve built across strategy, creative, content, experience design, technology and performance marketing. The fact that the work was recognised across so many different disciplines demonstrates our ability to apply creativity to a wide range of business challenges and objectives. We’re proud that this achievement spans multiple clients, categories and types of work, reflecting both the versatility of our people and our commitment to delivering results.”
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