Business
CSE edges down at mid-day but returns to positive territory latterly
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The CSE edged- down in mid- day trade yesterday on profit- takings, noted especially in banking sector counters as the previous sessions’ gains had boosted confidence among investors. But during the latter part of the day the market returned to positive territory, market analysts said.
The main All Share Price Index was up by 18.3 points and the S&P SL20 rose by 0.45 points. The market generated a turnover of Rs 2.3 billion with seven crossings.
Those crossings were reported in CIC which crossed 6.9 million shares to the tune of Rs 405.2 million and its shares traded at Rs 66, JKH 632,000 shares crossed for Rs 98.2 million, its shares traded at Rs 155.50, Royal Ceramic 2.5 million shares crossed for Rs 83.3 million; its shares traded at Rs 34.20, Sunshine Holdings 1.5 million shares crossed for Rs 73.4 million; its shares traded at Rs 48, HNB 210,000 shares crossed for Rs 157, People’s Insurance 1.3 million shares crossed for Rs 22.40 and ACL Cables 250,000 shares crossed to the tune Rs 21.2 million; its shares fetched Rs 85.
In the retail market, top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Hayleys Rs 192 million (2.1 million shares traded), Capital Alliance Rs 170.3 million (3.9 million shares traded), Softlogic Capital Rs 117 million (10.7 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 105.3 million (15.6 million shares traded), Sunshine Holdings Rs 101 million (2.1 million shares traded), First Capital Holdings Rs 99 million (2.5 million shares traded) and CIS Holdings Rs 84.3 million (1.2 million shares traded). During the day 120 million share volumes changed hands in 25000 transactions.
Top losers during mid- day trade were Commercial Bank, HNB and Sampath Bank, as debt restructuring assurances channeled profit taking and selling interest. Yesterday the Central Bank’s US dollar buying rate was Rs 300 and the selling rate Rs 315.10.
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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