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Marginal rise in CSE trading; PM’s statement positively impacts bourse

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By Hiran H.Senewiratne

CSE trading started on a positive note and during the middle of the session the bourse showed some substantial gains. The trading ended marginally up yesterday, stock market analysts said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe’s statement on the current economic situation in Parliament that the IMF staff level discussions will be concluded at the end of June and that the debt restructuring is likely to end in July, gave some confidence to stock market investors, market analysts added.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the programme for a bailout package would be finalized by the end of July.

PM Wickremesinghe also said the framework for Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring is expected to be finalized by the end of July following discussions with the financial and legal advisory firms Lazard Ltd. and Clifford Chance LLP.

A high-level government delegation from India is set to visit Sri Lanka for a discussion on possible further loan assistance, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said.

Three officials from the Indian government will arrive in Colombo today for this meeting, Wickremesinghe told parliament. This was also a positive sign for the stock market, analysts said.

Further, the global crude oil price has also declined and the fact that a barrel of crude oil has gone down to the US$ 105 level from US $ 111 would positively impact Sri Lankan oil imports.

Amid those developments both internal and external positive developments were significantly reflected in the stock market; both indices moved upwards marginally. All Share Price Index went up by 9.97 points and S and P SL20 rose by 9.2 points. Turnover stood at Rs 690 million without any arranged transactions or crossings.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were Expolanka Holdings Rs 200 million (1.1 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 78 million (9.5 million shares traded), Royal Ceramic Rs 76.2 million (2.8 million shares traded), Vallibel One Rs 49.6 million (1.3 million shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 43 million (638,000 shares traded), Richard Peiris Rs 21.3 million (1.8 million shares traded) and Seylan Bank Rs 14.4 million (515,000 shares traded). During the day 37.4 million share volumes changed hands in 9500 transactions.

Major sectors that contributed to the turnover were the Transport, which contributed Rs. 200 million, Capital Goods Rs 185 million and Food Beverages and Tobacco Rs 112 million.

Yesterday, the Central Bank announced its dollar rate. The buying rate was Rs 365.44 and the selling rate Rs 367.11. It is said that due to the Central Bank’s prudent monetary management the rupee also showed some appreciation.



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SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure

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SLT-MOBITEL marks its triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026

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.

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Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement

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The panel discussion at the 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.

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American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026

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The achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories.

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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