The CSE commenced on a positive note yesterday but later the All Share Price Index slumped due to corporate quarterly results not reaching expected levels, market analysts said.

Amid those developments both indices indicated mixed reactions. The All Share Price Index went down by 103.17 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 2.48 points. Turnover stood at Rs 3.55 billion with seven crossings.

Those crossings were: Tokyo Cement 2.58 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 268 million; its shares traded at Rs 104, ACL Cables one million shares crossed for Rs 100 million; its shares traded at Rs 100, Cargills Ceylon 75000 shares crossed for Rs 54.7 million; its shares traded at Rs 730, LB Finance 302000 shares crossed for Rs 49.5 million; its shares traded at Rs 164, Tokyo Cement (Non-Voting) 570,000 shares crossed for 49 million and its shares traded at Rs 85.90, Seylan Bank 430,000 shares crossed for Rs 47 million; its shares sold at Rs 109.50 and HNB (Non-Voting) 70600 shares crossed for Rs 28 million; its shares traded at Rs 369.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Cargills Rs 206.6 million (283,000 shares traded), Renuka Agri Rs 153.5 million (9.6 million shares traded), ACL Cables Rs 148 million (1.45 million shares traded), Easter Merchants Rs 140 million (8.11 million shares traded), TJ Lanka Rs 109 million (2.8 million shares traded), Ceylon Land and Equity Rs 106 million (4.9 million shares traded) and Colombo Dockyard Rs 76.6 million (517,000 shares traded). During the day 158 million share volumes changed hands in 34681 transactions.

It is said that construction related companies and manufacturing and financial services related companies performed well. Top negative contributors to the ASPI were Senkadagala Finance (down Rs 68.50 at 837), Cargills (Ceylon) (down Rs 21 at 730), and Dialog Axiata (down 60 cents at Rs 32.70).

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 309.50/55 to the US dollar in the spot market, from Rs 309.43/50 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields dropped significantly.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 9.45/55 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.03.2031 was quoted at 9.82/87 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 was quoted at 10.15/20 percent, down from 10.17/21 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.06.2033 was quoted at 10.45/50 percent, down from 10.50/54 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 was quoted at 10.60/62 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 was quoted at 10.65/70 percent, down from 10.77/81 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2035 was quoted at 10.72/75 percent, down from 10.95/98 percent.

An auction of Rs. 90,000 million Treasury bills is scheduled to take place today and an auction of Rs 51,000 million Treasury bonds tomorrow.

By Hiran H Senewiratne

NDB Bank has renewed its membership with the Parenthood Global Association for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its strong commitment to fostering a workplace culture that supports, empowers, and understands the needs of working parents. This renewed partnership underscores NDB’s belief that an inclusive and equitable work environment must make space for the realities and responsibilities of modern parenthood.

The Parenthood Global Association is dedicated to helping organisations build family-friendly workplaces that nurture well-being, productivity, and work-life integration. NDB’s continued affiliation with this prestigious body reflects the Bank’s sustained efforts to enhance the support systems available to employees navigating both professional responsibilities and parental duties.

For NDB, supporting working parents goes beyond policy, it is an extension of the Bank’s human-centric philosophy and its commitment to creating an environment where every employee feels valued and understood. Through this partnership, the Bank continues to strengthen structures that enable parents to thrive, including flexibility initiatives, parental support mechanisms, wellness resources, and awareness-building across the organisation.

These efforts reinforce NDB’s broader Diversity & Inclusion agenda, which seeks to champion equality across all demographics while cultivating a workplace built on empathy, understanding, and opportunity. By renewing its membership with the Parenthood Global Association, NDB reiterates its dedication to ensuring that its employees—especially those juggling multiple roles—have access to the tools, support, and inclusive culture they need to succeed both at work and at home.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Shannon Cowlin as its new Country Director for Sri Lanka. She assumed office in Colombo today.

“I am honored to be appointed Country Director of ADB’s Sri Lanka Resident Mission,” Ms. Cowlin said. “For many years, ADB has been a trusted partner of Sri Lanka, supporting the country through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent economic crisis. As Sri Lanka continues on its path to recovery, ADB remains firmly committed to assisting the nation in rebuilding and strengthening its resilience, including addressing the impacts and damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with the Government, development partners, and communities to promote sustainable growth and create new opportunities.”

Ms. Cowlin has over 26 years of professional experience, including 13 years with ADB. Her expertise spans investment project operations, policy engagement, and knowledge work across the fields of energy, climate, the environment, air quality, public health, and the energy–food–water nexus. Most recently, she served as Country Director of ADB’s Mongolia Resident Mission, where she led strategy and operations since 2023.

Prior to joining ADB, Ms. Cowlin was a manager at the United States (US) National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where she led US–India and South Asia regional energy cooperation efforts. A national of the US, Ms. Cowlin holds a master’s degree in environmental health sciences and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering sciences from the University of California, Berkeley.