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Dull sentiment dominates share market; turnover declines to Rs. 856 million

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By Hiran H.Senewiratne

CSE trading started on a positive note yesterday but subsequently shares slipped in mid- market trade. The market is on slow sentiment after the holidays and neutral sentiment prevails in the macro-economic arena, stock market analysts said.

With dull market conditions, low investor participation and low turnover level below the average level created some negative sentiment in the market. Both indices moved downwards. The All- Share Price Index went down by 41.3 points and S and P SL20 declined by 19.5 points. Turnover stood at Rs 856 million sans a single crossing during the day.

In the retail market, top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Lanka IOC Rs 254 million (1.2 million shares traded), Softlogic Life Insurance Rs 100.6 million (1.3 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 94.3 million (522,000 shares traded), Sanasa Development Bank Rs 39.6 million (1.8 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 34 million (4.8 million shares traded), Softlogic Capital PLC Rs 23.9 million (3.5 million shares traded) and Hayleys Fabrics Rs 22.3 million (1 million shares traded). During the day 47.9 million share volumes changed hands in 11000 transactions.

It is said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Cargills and Hemas Holdings. Mixed interest was observed in Lanka IOC, Softlogic Life Insurance and Expolanka Holdings while retail interest was noted in SMB Leasing non-voting, Browns Investments and Softlogic Capital.

The Food & Staples Retailing sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Cargills) while the sector index edged up by 0.02 per cent. The share price of Cargills closed flat at Rs. 235.

The Capital Goods sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Hemas Holdings), while the sector index increased by 1.10 per cent.

Yesterday, the Central Bank’s US dollar rate was recorded at Rs 365.94.

At the T-Bill auction held yesterday, Weighted Average Yield Rate for 91-day bills stood at 32.64%.



Business

MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka Appoints Sarah Nasry as Director & Chief Financial Officer

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Sarah Nasry, Director & Chief Financial Officer

MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka (MLG) announced the appointment of Sarah Nasry as Director & Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

In her new role, Sarah will lead both the Finance and Human Resources functions at MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial strategy and people agenda. She holds a distinguished track record across multiple business disciplines, including Supply Chain, ICT, Administration, Corporate Communications, and CSR. Sarah brings a wealth of experience from her most recent position as General Manager – Finance & Business Partnering at Brandix, Sri Lanka’s leading apparel manufacturer.

Recognised for her strengths in business partnering, financial planning, and strategic decision-making, Sarah is also widely respected for nurturing inclusive, people-centric cultures that foster growth and high performance.

Thayalan Bartlett, Executive Chairman of MLG, commented, “Sarah’s appointment follows an extensive search for the right person to lead our finance division through the next phase of our journey. Her wide-ranging experience and strong leadership credentials give me every confidence that she will continue to strengthen the financial integrity and compliance standards we are known for, and the Board looks forward to working closely alongside her in this journey.”

Sarah also marks a significant milestone for the company, becoming the first female member of MLG’s Board of Directors. She will additionally serve on the MLG Executive Committee (ExCo), reinforcing the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion at the leadership level.

Commenting on her appointment, Sarah said, “I am honoured and excited to join MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka and help steer the company into its next chapter. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at MLG to drive financial strength, champion a people-first culture, and build on the company’s strong legacy of creativity and performance.”

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Sun Siyam Pasikudah Named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Best of the Best Winner for 2025

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Sun Siyam Pasikudah, a boutique luxury resort on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, is thrilled to announce its recent win at the Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best for 2025, placing it among the top 10 percent of resorts worldwide. This accolade reflects the resort’s commitment to exceptional guest experiences, sustainable practices, and community engagement.

As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers and diners. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travelers’ favorites.

Reopened in November 2023 after an extensive transformation, Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers 34 spacious one- and two-bedroom garden and beach pavilions, each featuring bold monochromatic interiors accented with golden tones. The redesign, led by Studio Sixty7, emphasizes a blend of contemporary elegance and local craftsmanship. The resort collaborated with local artisans, showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich talent and cultural heritage.

‘‘We are thrilled to being recognized on par with some of the world’s best resorts. Under just two years since our reopening, this achievement couldn’t be possible with the tremendous effort and support of our world-class team and our guests that keep coming for the unique experiences we offer. We are proud to contribute to Sri Lanka, a destination that is on every traveler’s go-to list,’ said its General Manager, Arshed Refai who has been with Sun Siyam Resorts for over a decade.

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OTTO Bathware earns SLS certification for sanitaryware safety and quality

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The official certification was presented by Dr Siddhika G. Senaratne (Director General of SLSI) to Dilanga Karunaratna (Director of Art Decoration International (Pvt) Ltd)

OTTO Bathware has received Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). This certification confirms that OTTO’s sanitaryware meets the highest national standards for safety, durability, and performance. With over 30 years of experience, OTTO Bathware operates under the ADI Group (Art Decoration International Pvt. Ltd.- www.ottobathware.com) and runs a modern 435,000square feet manufacturing facility in Bandaragama. The company has grown to become; South-Asia’s largest decorative ceramic manufacturer/ exporter, Sri Lanka’s second-largest sanitaryware producer, supplying to over 500 retailers island-wide.

“We’re proud to offer sanitaryware that meets national safety and quality standards. We encourage all Sri Lankans to look beyond the price tag and choose products that are certified, tested, and built to last.” said its Chairman, S. H. B. Karunarathne.

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