Business
CSE continues on subdued run; indices decline in mid-day trade
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Shares edged-down in mid-day trade and the market’s subdued run continued yesterday amid low investor interest and activity. The latter was reflected in low turnover and index declines, market analysts said.The All- Share Price Index went down by 1.62 points and S and P SL20 declined by 1.5 points. Turnover stood at Rs 966 million with two crossings. Those crossings were reported in Hemas Holdings, which crossed 860,000 shares to the tune of Rs 55 million; its shares traded at Rs 64 and HNB 174,000 shares crossed for Rs 20.7 million; its shares fetched Rs 119.
In the retail market top seven companies that that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Hemas Holdings Rs 201 million (3.1 million shares traded), Dialog Rs 92.2 million (8.4 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 44.6 million (268,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 43.2 million (314,000 shares traded), Tokyo Cement Rs 39.5 million (808,000 shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 32.7 million (5.5 million shares traded) and Ambeon Capital PLC Rs 23.9 million (92.3 million shares traded). During the day 59.3 million share volumes changed hands in 11000 share transactions.
It is said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Hayleys and JKH. Mixed interest was observed in Dialog Axiata, Tokyo Cement Company nonvoting and Expolanka Holdings, while retail interest was noted in Browns Investments, Softlogic Capital and LOLC Finance.
The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to JKH and Royal Ceramics), while the sector index edged up by 0.07%. The share price of John Keells Holdings closed flat at Rs. 137. The share price of Royal Ceramics appreciated by 30 cents to reach Rs. 28.90.
The Materials sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Tokyo Cement Company nonvoting), while the sector index decreased by 0.68%. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company nonvoting closed flat at Rs. 48.Yesterday the Central Bank’s US dollar buying rate was Rs 313.05 and the selling rate Rs 328.51.
In a significant move for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, NKAR, a stalwart in the industry for over 45 years, has announced a partnership with Holiday Max, Australia’s largest tour operator. Based in Perth, Holiday Max has ventured into Sri Lanka for the first time, marking a promising expansion for both entities.
This collaboration aligns with NKAR’s strategic vision to enhance the country’s appeal to international travelers. Nilmin Nanayakkara, Chairman and Managing Director of NKAR says, “Our policy has always been to promote Sri Lanka to new markets by attracting new operators, rather than competing through price undercutting or making unrealistic promises.” This statement encapsulates NKAR’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth by focusing on quality over cost.
By prioritsing service excellence and maintaining high health and safety standards, NKAR aims to elevate the overall travel experience for visitors. This approach not only positions Sri Lanka as a premium destination but also attracts reputable operators like Holiday Max, who are drawn to the island’s unique experiences and NKAR’s dedication to quality service.
The partnership represents a remarkable opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings to Australian travelers, potentially opening new avenues for tourism growth. As NKAR continues to innovate and adapt, this collaboration is set to bolster Sri Lanka’s standing as a sought-after travel destination, steering the industry away from aggressive price competition towards sustainable growth through authentic experiences.
By focusing on attracting new operators and markets, NKAR is paving the way for a revitalised tourism landscape in Sri Lanka, one that values quality, safety, and the unique charm of the island. NKAR is recognised as one of the top five destination management companies in Sri Lanka. The company recently won 3 major awards at Sri Lanka Tourism Awards.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
LOLC Finance secured five Gold Awards and one Merit Award at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2025, including the prestigious Overall Excellence in Digital Payments Gold Award for the sixth consecutive year.
The company dominated both bank and NBFI categories, winning Best Digital Strategy Gold Award, proving its superiority over traditional banks in digital finance.
Awards won were as follows.
Gold Awards:
Best Digital Payment Strategy (Banks & NBFI)
Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (Banks & NBFI)
Excellence in Customer Convenience (NBFI)
Financial Inclusivity (NBFI)
Overall Excellence in Digital Payments (NBFI)
Merit Award: Most Popular Digital Payment Product (iPay)
CEO Krishan Thilakaratne emphasized digitalization as core to LOLC Finance’s operations, enabling seamless, 24/7 financial access through platforms like LOLC Real Time and iPay.
Chairman Conrad Dias highlighted the audited, performance-based recognition and iPay’s mission to solve real-world financial challenges with cutting-edge tech.
iPay & JustPay innovations were Recognized for leading digital payment adoption with 1M+ downloads, 1.8M monthly transactions, and 65% JustPay market share, featuring biometric security and AI fraud detection.
Financial Inclusivity was recognized for Bridging gaps via multi-lingual services, cashless processes, and rural outreach programs.
Customer Convenience was recognized for real-time solutions (SLIPS, CEFTS) eliminating branch visits for payments and transfers.
Tree House International, located in Dehiwala, has been recognised as the Most Evidence-Based Special Needs School of the Year at BWIO Awards. The only international school in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to children with special needs, 75% of its students relocate from abroad for its high-quality, result-driven education.
Last semester, 100% of students transitioned to mainstream or vocational training.
The school is led by Dr. Anton James, a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist with over 20 years of global experience.
His evidence-based approach earned the highest honour from the British Psychological Society, and he was elected a Chartered Scientist. Co-directed by Chrystal Honsaker, an expert with 15 years of international special needs experience, the school also offers an accredited British curriculum alternative to GCSEs.
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