Business
ASPI closes at all-time high; CSE proving profitable
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The CSE is still the most attractive and profitable of places to invest in due to the high inflation and low interest rate regime in the country. Accordingly, the All Share Price Index of the stock market surged by 399.81 points yesterday to close at an all-time high of 12,625.82, stock market analysts said.
Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (YOY) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCP1), increased to a record 12.1 per cent in December 2021 from 9.9 per cent in November 2021.On an annual average basis, the CCPI increased to 6 per cent in December 2021 from 5.3 per cent in November 2021.
The Central Bank said an in-depth analysis of the key drivers of current inflation suggests that a large component of inflation is driven by supply-side factors.
Amid those developments the stock market was positive throughout the day and most of the valued counters showed a considerable price appreciation backed by LOLC Group counters. LOLC Group counters, including LOLC Finance 79.5 points, Commercial Leasing and Finance 58.2 points, LOLC Holdings 50.2 points, Browns Investments 35 points and Expolanka Holdings (Not a LOLC Group company) 50 points contributed to the All Share Price Index yesterday, which broke a record by being the highest intra-day level.
During the day market commenced trading at 10.30 am and at the end of the day both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index went up by 399 points and S and P SL 20 rose by 114 points. Turnover stood at Rs 9.6 billion with six crossings. Those crossings were reported in Prime Lanka Residence ,which crossed 21.7 million to the tune of Rs 256 million and its shares traded at Rs 11.80, Royal Ceramic 750,000 shares crossed for Rs 59.25 million, its shares traded at Rs 79, Ambeon Holdings one million shares crossed for Rs 51 million, its shares traded at Rs 51, Renuka Holdings two million shares crossed for Rs 41 million, its shares traded at Rs 20.50, LOLC Holdings 300,000 shares crossed for Rs 35.4 million and it shares fetched Rs 1180 and Kotagala Plantations 2.5 million shares crossed for Rs 21 million, its shares traded at Rs 8.
In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were Browns Investments Rs 1.52 billion (86.7 million shares traded), LOLC Finance Rs 890 million (35.7 million shares traded), Co-operative Insurance Rs 680 million (81.9 million shares traded), LOLC General Insurance Rs 481 million (22.2 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 452 million (1.1 million shares traded), Commercial Leasing and Finance Rs 305 million (8.9 million shares traded), Brown and Company Rs 249 million Rs 249 million (636,000 shares traded).
During the day several valued counters share prices appreciated. Those companies were, Tess Agro share price appreciated by 70 per cent or Rs 1.10. Its share price started trading at Rs 1.50 and at the end of the day it moved to Rs 2.60, LOLC Finance share price appreciated by 34 points or Rs 2.80. Its share price shot up to Rs 26.80 from Rs 20, Industrial Asphalts share price appreciated by 28 per cent or 20 cents. Its share price moved to 90 cents from 70 cents, Softlogic Holdings share price appreciated by 24 per cent or Rs 8.10. Its share price shot up to Rs 42.40 from Rs 34.30, Watawala Plantations share price appreciated by six per cent or Rs 8.25. Its share price appreciated to Rs 138.25 from Rs 130 and Singer Sri Lanka share price appreciated by 13 per cent to Rs 2.60. Its shares started trading at Rs 19.90 at the end of the day they moved to Rs 22.70. During the day 773 million share volumes changed hands in 73000 transactions,
Yesterday the US dollar was quoted at Rs 202.18, which was the Central Bank controlled price. But the actual price in the market is more than Rs 250 per US dollar.
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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