Business
CSE bounces back with turnover reaching Rs. 8 billion
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
CSE trading activities bounced back yesterday with positive investor sentiment and turnover reached a very healthy level of more than Rs 8 billion, stock market analysts said.
LOLC Group stocks should be active in the future with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expected to visit Sri Lanka presently. This is on account of LOLC related Port City development projects involving China, stock market analysts said.
LOLC General Insurance Ltd. debuted on the CSE yesterday following a successful Initial Public Offering which witnessed a 160 per cent or Rs 12.60 price appreciation of shares. Its share price shot up to Rs 20.40 from Rs 7.90, thus contributing 33 points to the All-Share Price Index.
The shares of the company amounting to 1.2 billion were listed with security code of LGIL-N-0000 on the Diri Savi Board of the CSE and will be classified under ‘40301040 – Property & Casualty Insurance’ sector. The IPO, aimed at raising Rs. 948 million, drew 12,206 applications requesting for shares worth Rs. 11.6 billion. The offer was for 120 million shares (held by LOLC Asset Holdings Ltd.) at Rs. 7.90 each.
Amid those developments both indices were positive. The All -Share Price Index was up by 206 points and S and P SL20 up by 22 points. Turnover stood at Rs 8.2 billion with a single crossing. The crossing was reported in LOLC General Insurance, which crossed Rs 2 million to the tune of Rs 20.3 million and its shares traded at Rs 10.10.
In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, LOLC General Insurance Rs 1.6 billion (83 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 1.5 billion (95 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 608 million (1.6 million shares traded), Co-operative Insurance Rs 563 million (92.6 million shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 301 million (four million shares traded), hSenid Rs 206 million (5.9 million shares traded) and Industrial Asphalts Rs 199 million (286 million shares traded).
During the day insurance sector counters noted a gain, especially Co-operative Finance, which appreciated its share price by 49 per cent or Rs 2.30. Its share price shot up to Rs 7 from Rs 4.70. Browns Investments share price appreciated by Rs 1.70 or 12 per cent. Its price shot up to Rs 16.30 from Rs 14.60 thus contributing 54 points to the All- Share Price Index. LOLC Holdings share price appreciated thus contributing 33 points to the All Share Price Index. Industrial Asphalts share price appreciated by 40 per cent or 20 cents. Its share price started at Rs 50 and at the end of the day it moved to Rs 70. During the day 858 million share volumes changed hands in 72000 share transactions.
It is said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Commercial Bank, Melstacorp and LOLC Holdings. Mixed interest was observed in Expolanka Holdings, Browns Investments and hSenid Business Solutions, while retail interest was noted in SMB Leasing voting and non-voting and Co-Operative Insurance Company Ltd.
Separately, Dipped Products, Alumex and Hayleys Fibre announced their interim dividends of 45 cents, 20 cents and Rs. 75 cents per share respectively.
Yesterday the US dollar was quoted at Rs 202.98, which was the Central Bank controlled price. The actual US dollar rate should be Rs 250.
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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