Business
Profit-takings by foreign investors dampen CSE trading
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
CSE trading activities registered some negative performances at the beginning of sessions yesterday due to profit takings, especially by foreign investors. Foreign investors had panicked over stock market trends mainly due to foreign media highlighting that Sri Lanka had declared a food emergency with the worsening of the foreign currency reserve position of the country, stock market analysts said.
Last Friday the net foreign outflow was Rs. 1.5 billion, out of which Rs. 1.3 billion was from Hemas Holdings. However, yesterday too foreign outflows were noted. Under these circumstances a Rs. 50 billion net foreign outflow has been reported to date in the stock market, analysts said.
The main causes for the increasing foreign outflow are the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar and the worsening of the foreign reserve crisis, which created a gloomy picture of the market, analysts explained.
Amid those developments both indices moved downwards. The All Share Price Index went down by 80.65 points and S and P SL20 declined by 39.53 points. Turnover stood at Rs. 7.7 billion with one crossing. That crossing was reported in Sunshine Holdings Ltd, which crossed four million shares to the tune of Rs. 102 million, its shares traded at Rs. 25.50.
In the retail market, five companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Expolanka Holdings Rs. 2.3 billion (12.5 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs. 1.14 billion (103.6 million shares traded), Hemas Holdings Rs. 911 million (12.5 million shares traded), LOLC Holdings Rs. 424 million (692,000 shares traded) and Kotagala Plantations Rs. 235 million (41.9 million shares traded).
Kotagala Plantations rights were listed yesterday. Under this right issue 263 million shares will be issued to raise Rs. 789 million. The ratio of the right issue was seven new shares for every two existing shares for shareholders. During the day 874 million share volumes changed hands in 47000 transactions.
Proving that investing in shares is becoming broad-based as opposed to the misconception of being “limited to a few”, the number of accounts has seen a 55 percent increase between 2010 and June 2021 while trading volumes have grown at a higher pace in tandem with improved sentiment.
The number of Central Depository System (CDS) accounts as of end June 2021 was 659,578 (excluding multiple registrations), up 55.4% from 424,288 in 2010 and by 14% in 2014. These two years saw significant bull runs.
The number of local companies having CDS Accounts has risen by 85 percent between 2010 and June 2021 from 6,114 to 11,294. Even between 2014 and 2021 June, the growth in companies at 31per cent is higher (though from a low base) as opposed to individuals.
More foreign companies have also registered to invest in Sri Lanka, from 3,893 in 2010 and 4,705 in 2014 to 5,718 in 2021 YTD.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
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