Business
Banking sector counters show gains amid bourse’s fluctuating fortunes
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
CSE trading activities were positive at the beginning of the session and during the middle of the session strong profit- takings were noted in blue chip counters but the bourse later turned negative yesterday. However, banking sector counters gained, stock market analysts said.
Amid those developments both indices moved downwards. The All -Share Price Index went down by 163 points and S and P SL20 declined by 23.5 points. Turnover stood at Rs 8.8 billion with two crossings. Those two crossings were reported in LOLC Finance, where one million shares crossed for Rs 28 million, its shares traded at Rs 28 and Softlogic Holdings 350,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 21 million, its shares traded at Rs 60.
In the retail market, top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Browns Investments Rs 1.1 billion (64 million shares traded), Sunshine Holdings Rs 824 million (2.6 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 755 million (1.9 million shares traded), Vallibel One Rs 536 million (3.9 million shares traded), LOLC Holdings Rs 342 million (248,000 shares traded), Lanka Aluminum Rs 324 million (8.8 million shares traded) and Watawala Plantations Rs 263 million (1.4 million shares traded). During the day 362 million share volumes changed hands in 67000 transactions.
During the day, a few companies’ share prices appreciated exceptionally. Those were, Lanka Aluminum share price appreciated by 20 per cent or Rs 6.30. Its share price shot up to Rs 37.40 from Rs 31.10, Watawala Plantations share price appreciated by eight percent or Rs 30.75. Its share price shot up to Rs 183.50 from Rs 169.75 and Amana Bank share price appreciated by 80 cent or Rs 19 per cent. Its share price appreciated to Rs 5.10 from Rs 4.30.
Meanwhile, high net worth investor Dr. T. Senthilverl has increased his stake in Amana Bank PLC to 10 per cent through Senthilverl Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., likely posting himself among the top three shareholders of the Islamic bank.
Senthilverl Holdings last Friday purchased 176.84 million shares of the bank at Rs.3.80 and Rs.4.40 per share.
Prior to the purchase, Senthilverl Holdings held 92.27 million shares of Amana Bank. However, as of 30th September, Senthilverl Holdings didn’t appear among the top twenty shareholders of Amana Bank.
Yesterday the US dollar was quoted at Rs 202.05, which was the Central Bank controlled price. The actual floating rate would be Rs 250 per US dollar, market sources 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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