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Satisfactory corporate earnings proving a boon to share trading; ASPI up

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By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The CSE ended up on a positive note yesterday as the benchmark All Share Price Index moved up 0.49 percent due to satisfactory corporate earnings, market analysts said.

The ASPI was up 105.01 points at 21,644.01, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 0.80 percent, or 48.11 points, at 6,080.20.

Positive contributors to the ASPI were: Melstacorp (up 2.42 percent at Rs 190.75 ), Sampath Bank (up 1.63 percent at Rs140.00 ), Dialog Axiata (up 1.95 percent at Rs 47.40 ), Nations Trust Bank (up 3.28 percent at Rs 315.00 ), and Ceylon Tobacco Company (up 1.71 percent at Rs 1,830.00).

DFCC Bank (down 0.78 percent at Rs 128.00), Richard Pieris and Company (down 1.78 percent at Rs 27.60 ), and Dipterocarpus (DIPD) / Dipped Products (down 1.52 percent at RS 58.50 ) were top negative contributors.

Market turnover was Rs 2.24 billion with six crossings. Those crossings were: RIL Properties 26 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 650 million; its shares traded at Rs 25, Commercial Bank (Non Voting) 359,000 shares crossed for Rs 67 million; its shares traded at Rs 185.50, CCS 240,000 shares crossed for Rs 30 million; its shares traded at Rs 126.50, Sunshine Holdings 1 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 29 million; its shares traded at Rs 29, Melstacorp 140,000 million shares crossed for Rs 27 million; its shares sold at Rs 190 and Commercial Bank 100,000 shares crossed for Rs 20.4 million; its shares sold at Rs 204.

In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Melstacorp Rs 179 million (941,000 shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 74 million (529,000 shares traded), Sierra Cables Rs 65 million (1.9 million shares), Commercial Credit and Finance Rs 64 million (590,000 shares traded), Aitken Spence Rs 57 million (399,000 shares traded), CCS Rs 55 million (437,000 shares traded) and Singer SriLanka Rs 45 million (572,000 shares traded. During the day 75.9 million share volumes changed hands in 17235 transactions.

It is said that retailing led the turnover with Rs 720.5 million.

CTC, , Sri Lanka’s highest tax revenue contributor, reported a profit of Rs 7.69 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, representing a 4.5 percent increase from the same period last year. Shares of CTC closed up 1.71 percent at Rs 1,830.00.

Sampath Bank plans to raise up to Rs 7 billion through an issuance of Basel III-compliant Tier 2 debentures, with an option to raise a further Rs 3 billion if the offer is oversubscribed, CSE sources said.

The bank’s board approved the issue of up to 70 million listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable debentures with a non-viability conversion feature.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted stronger at Rs 333.50/54 to the US dollar in the spot market from Rs 333.50/65 the previous day, while bond yields continued to edge lower, dealers said.



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SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure

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SLT-MOBITEL marks its triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026

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.

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Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement

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The panel discussion at the 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.

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American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026

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The achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories.

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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