Business
Nestle Lanka goes private; ends 40-year listed status
By Hiran H. Senewiratne
Nestle Lanka announced a decision to go private, ending its 40- year status as a listed company in the CSE. The move was made by the Nestle Lanka Board and is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, share market sources said.
Currently majority of its shares amounting to 91.95 per cent is owned by its parent company, Nestle S.A. The latter will purchase the remaining 8.05 per cent shares from those wishing to divest at Rs. 1,500 per share.
The public shareholding of 1983-listed Nestle Lanka is 8.05 per cent, held by 6,054 shareholders. As at December 31, 2022, net asset value per share was Rs. 199.95 (up from Rs. 157 in 2021).
The delisting was announced after the market closed with the share price unchanged at Rs. 1,120.25. In FY22, the highest price was Rs. 964.75 (down from Rs. 1,330 in FY21), lowest was Rs. 870 (versus Rs. 1,200 in FY21) and closed 2022 at Rs. 905, down from Rs. 1,215.50 in 2021.Earlier, announcing the company’s decision to delist from the CSE, a Nestle Lanka press release said, among other things:
‘The company has been actively seeking ways to have a more efficient operation to enhance its contribution to the country even further. Therefore, our Board of Directors has authorized the proposal to delist Nestlé Lanka from the Colombo Stock Exchange, subject to necessary approvals and clearances. The delisting will also help the company strengthen its focus on core business activities, whilst upholding Sri Lanka’s statutory reporting and compliance requirements.
“We would like to thank our valued shareholders for continuing to place their trust in us and for the constant support offered over the years. We strongly believe that this proposal is in the best interest of our shareholders and assure that they would be rewarded with an attractive and fair premium. As in the past, we will work with communities and bring high quality products to our valued Sri Lankan consumers, whilst doing good for the planet. We will continue to drive efficiencies whilst focusing on delivering on our promise to the country and its people” said Bernhard Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka.
‘Driven by its purpose of ‘unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come’, Nestlé has nourished generations of Sri Lankan families with high quality food and beverage products from early childhood to old age. Having started its operations in Sri Lanka in 1906, today, Nestlé has become an integral part of Sri Lankan lives. The company manufactures over 90% of its products sold in Sri Lanka locally at their state-of-the-art factory in Kurunegala, employing strict safety and quality controls.’
Amid those developments CSE trading activities were positive yesterday and the turnover recorded was the lowest after 52 weeks. Trading ended at 12 noon. Both indices moved upwards. The All- Share Price Index went up by 30.4 points and S and P SL20 rose by 26.7 points. Turnover stood at Rs 127 million without any crossings.
In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Melstacorp Rs 30.1 million (556,000 shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 21.9 million (138,000 shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 20.9 million (134,000 shares traded), Seylan Bank Rs 15.5 million (551,000 shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 13.5 million (2.5 million shares traded), Aitken Spence Hotels Rs12.1 million (206,000 shares traded) and Sampath Bank Rs 11.9 million (253,000 shares traded). During the day 12.7 million share volumes changed hands in 4500 transactions.
It is said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in JKH and Royal Ceramics. Mixed interest was observed in Lanka IOC, Expolanka Holdings and Dialog Axiata, while retail interest was noted in Browns Investments, SMB Leasing and LOLC Finance.
The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to JKH and Royal Ceramics), while the sector index gained 0.75 per cent. The share price of John Keells Holdings increased by 25 cents to Rs. 135.75. The share price of Royal Ceramics appreciated by 20 cents to Rs. 27.
The Food, Beverage & Tobacco sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Browns Investments), while the sector index increased by 0.79 per cent. The share price of Browns Investments recorded a gain of 10 cents to settle at Rs. 5.40.Yesterday the Central Bank’s US dollar buying rate was Rs 312.50 and the selling rate Rs 326.62.
Business
Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany
Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.
Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.
A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.
These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.
Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)
Business
Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala
Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments
Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.
Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.
“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.
The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.
Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.
“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.
Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.
She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”
Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.
As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.
For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.
By Ifham Nizam
Business
John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins
The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.
Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.
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