Business
Hopes of equity-friendly budget boost bourse
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
CSE trading activities were positive from the beginning yesterday because stock market investors are expecting an equity market- friendly budget to be presented to parliament by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa today, stock market analysts said.
The budget would be an investment- friendly, pro-private sector job- creation budget and it would target to attract foreign investments, analysts said. Sri Lanka’s budget this year is likely to look into the strategic interests of foreign countries as well as the country’s need for dollar inflows to boost its reserves, another analyst said.
Yesterday, new buying interest was witnessed in the LOLC Group of companies, especially LOLC Finance, whose share price appreciated by 24 percent or Rs 4.70. At the commencement of trading, shares stood at Rs 20.10 and at the end of the day they shot up to Rs 24.80.
Amid those developments both indices showed mixed reactions. The All Share Price Index went up by 163.77 points and S and P SL20 declined by 9.04 points. Turnover stood at Rs 6.8 billion with three crossings. The crossing were reported in Renuka Hotel, which crossed four million shares to the tune of Rs 80 million, its shares traded at Rs 20, Aitken Spence one million shares crossed for Rs 40 million, its shares traded at Rs 40 and Sampath Bank 500,000 shares crossed for Rs 27.5 million, its shares fetching Rs 55.
In the retail market, five companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; LOLC Finance Rs 1.9 billion (80.2 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 539 million (46.5 million shares traded), Shaw Wallace Investments Rs 519 million (42.7 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 305 million (1.5 million shares traded), LOLC Holdings Rs 296 million (438,000 shares traded) and Agalawatte Plantations Rs 245 million (seven million shares traded).
During the day, Watawala Plantations shares appreciated by 11 percent or Rs 8.30. Its share price shot up to Rs 81.60 due to recording healthy profits in the last quarter and also as a result of paying considerable dividends to shareholders. During the day 347 million share volumes changed hands in 55000 transactions. Further, the industry diversified financial sector contributed more than Rs 2.9 billion, which accounts for almost 50 per cent of the day’s turnover. The Diversified Financials sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Lanka Orix Finance and LOLC Holdings).
It is said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Access Engineering, Vallibel One and JKH. Mixed interest was observed in R I L Property, Expolanka Holdings and LOLC Holdings, while retail interest was noted in Browns Investments, Lanka Orix Finance and Pan Asian Power. Yesterday, the US dollar was quoted at Rs 201.21, which was the controlled price set by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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