Business
Asia’s richest man Ambani announces what could be India’s biggest share sale
Jio Platforms, the telecom unit of billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, has announced what analysts say could be one of India’s biggest share sales.
The company’s board has approved a draft prospectus for the initial public offering (IPO), Ambani said at Reliance’s annual shareholder meeting on Friday.
India’s largest telecom operator, which has more than 500 million subscribers, is expected to raise around $4bn (£3.02bn), according to media reports.
Investors will be watching the listing closely as a test of appetite for new offerings after months of volatility in the country’s stock markets.
“The proposed listing of Jio will demonstrate to the world that India can build technology companies of global scale, global capability, and global value,” Ambani, one of the world’s richest men, said.
Launched in 2016, Jio shook up India’s telecom sector with low-cost mobile data plans, soon racking up millions of users. The company has since expanded into areas including cloud computing, enterprise services and artificial intelligence.
Last year, Jio and rival Bharti Airtel signed separate deals with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring the Starlink internet service to India.
The IPO comes after a year-long wait for Jio to go public. Last year, Ambani had said the company would be listed in the first half of 2026.
Unlike the secondary markets, where investors buy and sell existing stocks of companies, IPOs are used by privately held firms to sell their shares to investors for the first time, and debut on the public markets.
The Jio IPO was announced a day after the National Stock Exchange (NSE) filed papers for its long-awaited market debut, adding momentum to India’s capital markets.
While details of the offer price and valuation have not yet been disclosed, media reports have estimated that the NSE IPO could raise around more than $3bn.
Together, the Jio and NSE listings would be among India’s largest IPOs in recent years, rivalling Hyundai Motor India’s $3.3bn blockbuster share sale two years ago.
Jio’s listing is especially a close watch for investors and analysts who say a successful offering could boost sentiments in India’s IPO market after a recent slowdown in new listings.

In recent years, Jio has expanded its ambitions beyond telecommunications into artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
Earlier this month, Meta announced it would lease capacity at an AI enabled data center being built by Reliance in the western state of Gujarat. The facility is expected to have a capacity of 168 megawatts.
The agreement builds on a partnership that began in 2020, when Meta invested $5.7bn in Jio.
Since then, the companies have broadened their collaboration, including initiatives aimed at making Meta’s open-source AI models more accessible to Indian businesses and developers.
Investment bank Jefferies estimated in November that Jio was worth around $180bn, potentially making it one of the world’s most valuable telecoms companies.
The listing would also be a landmark moment for the Reliance group, marking the first major public offering by one of its businesses since Reliance Petroleum was listed in 2006.
[BBC]
Business
Constituent Change in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces the following change in S&P Sri Lanka 20 index constituents made by S&P Dow Jones Indices at the 2026 Mid-Year rebalance.
The exclusion and inclusion as announced by S&P Dow Jones Indices, effective from 22nd June 2026 (after the market close of 19th June 2026) are presented below.
The S&P SL 20 index includes the 20 largest companies, by total market capitalization, listed on the CSE that meet minimum size, liquidity and financial viability thresholds. The constituents are weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization, subject to a single stock cap of 15%, which is employed to reduce single stock concentration.
The S&P SL 20 index has been designed in accordance with international practices and standards. All stocks are classified according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was co-developed by S&P Dow Jones Indices and MCSI and is widely used by market participants throughout the world.
To be eligible for inclusion, a stock must have a minimum float-adjusted market capitalization of 500 million Sri Lankan rupees (Rs), a six-month median daily value traded of Rs 0.25 million and have positive net income over the 12 months prior to the rebalancing reference date. For information, including the complete methodology, please visit: www.spindices.com
Effective from 22nd June 2026 the stocks in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 in alphabetical order are as above.
Business
Teejay Group navigates industry headwinds with financial strength and strategic focus
The Teejay Group recorded revenue of LKR 60.04 billion during the period, reflecting a 10% year-on-year decline, primarily due to continued softness in global textile demand. This performance was largely impacted by reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, intensified pricing pressures across key markets, and the resulting decline in volumes, all of which collectively weighed on topline growth.
Group Gross Profit declined by 36% year-on-year to LKR 5.02 billion, mainly attributable to lower production volumes, underutilization of plant capacity, sustained pricing pressures, and an unfavorable product mix. Together, these factors adversely affected margin performance amid a challenging operating environment.
The Group reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 54.7 million, representing a 98% year-on-year decline. This was primarily driven by higher rupee-denominated costs and non-recurring items, provision for doubtful debts, and restructuring costs associated with right-sizing initiatives.
Ajit Gunewardene, Chairman of the Teejay Group said, “The year was marked by persistent global demand softness and pricing pressures, which impacted results. Despite this, we focused on operational efficiency, cost discipline, and strengthening our financial resilience. These actions position the Group to navigate ongoing uncertainty while remaining committed to long-term value creation for our shareholders.”
Despite these near-term challenges, the Teejay Group continues to maintain a strong financial position, supported by disciplined working capital management and a robust liquidity base. As at 31 March 2026, cash and cash equivalents stood at LKR 8.3 billion, while the Group’s net asset base increased by 3% year-on-year to LKR 32.4 billion, reinforcing the resilience of its balance sheet.
Business
Fairfirst celebrates 7 years of supporting the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit
Fairfirst Insurance has once again partnered with the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit, continuing its support for the seventh consecutive year. This partnership reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the community.
Through this initiative, Fairfirst will provide comprehensive insurance coverage for the highly trained canines attached to the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit. These dogs play a critical role in supporting police operations across the country, assisting with crime detection, narcotics investigations, search and rescue missions, and public safety efforts.
As a company that believes business should create a meaningful impact beyond insurance, Fairfirst remains committed to initiatives that support communities and recognise the vital contributions of those who help keep society safe. This shared commitment to protection and responsibility continues to drive the company’s long-standing partnership with the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit.
Commenting on the continued partnership, Ravishankar Wickneswaran, CEO of Fairfirst Insurance, said, “It is a privilege for us to continue supporting the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit for the seventh consecutive year. These dogs serve the country with incredible discipline and loyalty, often in challenging situations. Supporting their wellbeing is one small way for us to give back, and it reflects the FairfirstWay of standing by those who protect and serve our communities every day.”
Fairfirst looks forward to continuing this partnership and contributing to the wellbeing of the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit in the years ahead.
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