The CSE continued to be vexed by deleterious trends yesterday. Middle East uncertainties continued to take their toll.

The All Share Price Index went down by 87.39 points while S and P SL20 declined by 14.53 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2 billion with seven crossings.

Those crossings were reported at JKH which crossed 13.4 million shares to the tune of Rs 258 million and its shares traded at Rs 19.90, CCS 1 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 137 million; its shares traded at Rs 137, Chevron Lubricants 513,000 shares crossed for Rs 102 million; its shares traded at Rs 198, Pan Asia 950,000 shares crossed for Rs 52 million; its shares sold at Rs 55, Access Engineering 500,000 shares crossed for Rs 38.5 million; its shares sold at Rs 77, Digital Mobility Solutions 200,000 shares crossed for Rs 33.4 million; its shares fetched Rs 157 and Dialog Axiata 500,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million; its shares traded at Rs 44.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Haycarb Rs 95.8 million (632,700 shares traded), CCS Rs 66.6 million (483,000 shares traded), Aitken Spence Rs 58.7 million (425,000 shares traded), HNB Rs 57.6 million (6.2 million shares traded), Chevron Lubricant Rs 53.6 million (270,000 shares traded), Pan Asia Rs 45.7 million (828,000 shares traded) and Colombo Dockyard Rs 40 million (306,000 shares traded). During the day 82 million share volumes changed hands in 20752 transactions.

It is said that manufacturing sector counters, especially JKH, performed well. Further, banking sector counters, especially HNB and Pan Asia, performed well.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 331.50/332.50 to the US dollar in the spot market on, dealers said, after being quoted at Rs 331.50/332.00 1 week spot at close the previous day, while bond yields were up.

The telegraphic transfer rate for Sri Lanka’s rupee against the US dollar was 327.00 buying, 336.00 selling; euro was 377.8880 buying, 391.8050 selling; and the pound was buying 438.8918, selling 452.9374.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

LOLC Holdings PLC delivered a strong operating performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, underpinned by robust income growth, a significant expansion in core operating profitability and continued scale-up of its financial services-led diversified business model. With a global operating presence across 27 countries, the Group continues to strengthen its position as Sri Lanka’s most internationally diversified conglomerates, combining financial services scale with strategic interests across plantations, agri, manufacturing, trading, leisure, real estate and insurance.

The Group recorded a 49% increase in results from operating activities, which rose to Rs. 71.5 billion in FY2026 from Rs. 47.9 billion in the previous year. This performance was supported by a strong expansion in gross income, which increased by 28% to Rs. 430.3 billion from Rs. 336.2 billion.

Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation also strengthened materially, increasing to approximately Rs. 88.8 billion from approximately Rs. 60.6 billion in FY2025. This reflects the enhanced earnings capacity of the Group’s underlying businesses and the growing contribution from its diversified operating platform.

The results reaffirm LOLC’s position as one of Sri Lanka’s most globally diversified conglomerates, with a business model increasingly driven by scale, international reach, disciplined execution and recurring operating strength.

Strong operating profitability reflects business momentum

The sharp improvement in operating profitability was the defining feature of the Group’s FY2026 performance. Results from operating activities increased by Rs. 23.6 billion during the year, reflecting stronger contribution from key business verticals and improved operating leverage across the Group.

The increase in gross income to Rs. 430.3 billion demonstrates the continued expansion of LOLC’s income-generating asset base and the Group’s ability to build revenue momentum across multiple sectors and geographies.

Net interest income increased to Rs. 119.9 billion from Rs. 105.6 billion, while revenue rose to Rs. 158.2 billion from Rs. 109.2 billion. Gross profit also increased to Rs. 61.4 billion from Rs. 43.5 billion, further strengthening the Group’s operating platform.

Profit after tax stood at Rs. 23.4 billion in FY2026, with the year-on-year movement primarily reflecting the impact of one-off items recognised in the comparative period. The Group’s FY2026 performance was anchored by stronger recurring operating profits, supported by the 49% increase in results from operating activities.

Janashakthi Finance PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group), delivered a strong performance for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, reflecting disciplined execution, continued business expansion and sustained momentum across its core lending and deposit businesses. The Company’s performance was further supported by improving economic activity, strengthening lending demand and continued focus on operational discipline and prudent portfolio management.

Based on the unaudited interim financial statements, the Company recorded a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs.564 million for the 12 months ended 31 March 2026, marking a robust 62% year-on-year increase with the restated PBT of Rs. 348 million reported recorded in the previous financial year. Net Operating Income grew significantly by 35% to Rs.3.1 billion, underpinned by strong business volumes, improved operational performance and continued expansion across key market segments.

For the year under review, Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) increased by 38% year-on-year to Rs.403 million, reflecting resilient earnings performance amidst evolving market conditions and the Company’s prudent financial management and disciplined growth strategy. The Company’s Q4 performance further reinforced its positive growth trajectory, with quarterly PBT increasing by 17% year-on-year to Rs.175 million, while quarterly NPAT rose by 39% year-on-year to Rs.163 million. Net Operating Income for the quarter recorded a strong 31% year-on-year increase to Rs.883 million compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Demonstrating strong business expansion and growing market confidence, Janashakthi Finance’s Loans and Receivables Portfolio grew by 48% year-on-year to Rs.32.96 billion as of 31 March 2026. The growth was supported by expansion across the Company’s core lending segments, continued portfolio diversification and a disciplined approach to credit growth. Deposits increased by 14% to Rs.18.2 billion, reflecting sustained customer trust and an expanding financial footprint across the country.

The fourth quarter also showed continued sequential improvement over the preceding quarter, with PBT increasing by 18%, NPAT by 66% and Net Operating Income by 12%, highlighting the Company’s accelerating operational momentum and strengthened earnings capacity heading into the new financial year.

Commenting on the performance, Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman of Janashakthi Finance PLC stated, “This year’s performance reflects the resilience of our business model and the disciplined execution of our long-term strategy. As the economy continues to regain momentum, Janashakthi Finance is well positioned to strengthen its role as a trusted and progressive non-banking financial institution creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

Commenting on the Company’s operational performance, Sithambaram Sri Ganendran, Chief Executive Officer of Janashakthi Finance PLC said, “Our strong Q4 performance was driven by healthy portfolio expansion, improved operational momentum and growing customer confidence across our markets. As we move forward, we remain focused on scaling quality growth, strengthening accessibility enhancing operational agility and delivering innovative, customer-centric financial solutions that are relevant to the evolving needs of customers across Sri Lanka.”

Backed by strong quarterly momentum, a rapidly expanding lending portfolio, an expanding deposit base, Janashakthi Finance enters the new financial year with a strengthened foundation for sustainable growth. The Company remains focused on deepening its market presence, improving operational efficiencies and advancing innovative financial solutions that contribute meaningfully to Sri Lanka’s evolving economic landscape while creating long-term value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.