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CSE turnover surpasses Rs 14 billion, ASPI records historic high

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Stimulus from reserve buffers

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

Trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) was bullish throughout yesterday due to turnover surpassed Rs 14 billion and the All Share Price Index recorded the highest ever 9,163 points in the stock market history, stock market analysts said. During the day both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 160.5 points and S and P SL20 up by 75.9 points. Main contributing factor to reach All Share Price to the historic highest level and the turnover to touch Rs 14.65 billion due to the significant improvement in the investor sentiment as Sri Lanka was able to secure US$ 1.3 billion worth of foreign reserves that received from a Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation of International Monetary Fund (IMF), a disbursement under the Currency Swap Arrangement with the Bangladesh Bank and another loan from Chinese Development Bank.The bourse appeared challenging as Expolanka Holdings on the previous day dislodged LOLC Holdings yet again to reclaim the most valued status, stock market analysts said.

Expolanka and Browns Investments were the main contributors yesterday for the All Share Price Index. Those two companies’ share prices were also appreciated. Expolanka Holdings share price increased from Rs 167.75 to Rs 181, which was Rs 13.25 or eight percent increased and Browns Investments share price appreciated from Rs 10.40 to Rs 11.50, which was 11 percent or Rs 1.10 appreciation.

 Turnover stood at Rs 14.6 billion with five crossings. Those crossings were reported in HNB where five million shares crossed for Rs 675 million and its share price traded at Rs 135, Royal Ceramic 2.8 million shares crossed for Rs 112.8 million and its share price traded at Rs 41, HNB (Non Voting) 837,000 shares crossed for Rs 104.6 million and its share price traded at Rs 125, Sampath Bank one million shares crossed for Rs 51.5 million and its share price traded at Rs 51.50 and Commercial Bank 500,000 shares crossed for Rs 42.75 million and its share price traded at Rs 85.50.

In the  retail market top five companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were Expolanka Rs 4.7 billion (26 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 2.9 billion (257 million shares traded), Hayleys Rs 996 million (8.4 million shares traded), LOLC Rs 674 million (1.1 million shares traded), Royal Ceramic Rs 670 million (15.2 million shares traded). During the day 484 million share volume changed hands in 66740 transactions.Since early last week investors have ignited a battle between Expolanka and LOLC for the number one position, with each holding a forte for a day only. Analysts claimed Expolanka remains solid and on demand given the large volumes traded since early last week. It retaining the most valued status for a second day running today would prove this view. Others believe Expolanka is now overpriced. Nevertheless, the stock market, which is on an all-time high, has developed a craving for companies with strong dollar earnings and both Expolanka and LOLC, as well as Hayleys and several Group companies are being sought after for the same reason.



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Dialog delivers strong growth, stronger national contribution in FY 2025

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Dialog Axiata PLC announced, Friday 6th February 2026, its consolidated financial results (Reviewed) for the year ended 31st December 2025. Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the “Group”).

Group Performance

The Group delivered a strong performance across Mobile, Fixed Line and Digital Pay Television businesses recording a positive Core Revenue growth of 16% Year to Date (“YTD”). Group Headline Revenue reached Rs179.6Bn, up 5% YTD, despite the continued strategic scaling down of low-margin international wholesale business. In Q4 2025, Revenue was recorded at Rs46.5Bn up 2% Quarter-on-Quarter (“QoQ”) and 2% Year-on-Year (“YoY”).

The Group Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) reached Rs86.0Bn up 30% YTD supported by Core Revenue performance and Cost Rescaling Initiatives. On a QoQ basis Group EBITDA demonstrated a modest growth to record at Rs23.0Bn up 2% QoQ with an EBITDA margin of 49.5% in line with the Revenue performance. Group EBITDA margin reached 47.9% for FY 2025, up 9.2pp.

Group Net Profit After Tax (“NPAT”) reached Rs20.8Bn for FY 2025, up 67% YTD mainly resulting from robust EBITDA growth, despite higher tax and net finance costs. Normalized for forex impact, NPAT growth was recorded at +>100% YTD to reach Rs22.1Bn. On a QoQ basis NPAT grew 3% to reach Rs5.9Bn resulting from strong EBITDA performance.

On the back of strong operational performance, the Group recorded Operating Free Cash Flow (“OFCF”)

of Rs49.3Bn for FY 2025 up >100% YTD.

Dividend Payment to Shareholders

In line with the dividend policy and financial performance of the Group and taking into account the forward investment requirements to serve the nation’s demand for Broadband and Digital services, the Board of Directors of Dialog Axiata PLC at its meeting held on 6th February 2026, resolved to propose for consideration by the Shareholders of the Company, a dividend to ordinary shareholders amounting to Rs1.50 per share. The said dividend, if approved by shareholders, would translate to a Dividend Yield of 5.0% based on share closing price for FY 2025. The dividend so proposed will be considered for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company, the date pertaining to which would be notified in due course.

Company and Subsidiary Performance

At an entity level, Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) continued to be the primary contributor to Group Revenue (76%) and Group EBITDA (74%). Aided by sustained growth in the Data segment and cost-rescaling initiatives, Company revenue was recorded at Rs135.8Bn for FY 2025, up 18% YTD, EBITDA rose 32% YTD to reach Rs63.6Bn. On a QoQ basis, Q4 2025 Revenue was recorded at Rs34.8Bn, down 1% QoQ due to a reclassification of Hubbing Revenue, while EBITDA decline 1% QoQ to record Rs17.0Bn, largely attributable to network restoration costs and donations made in relation to the Cyclone Ditwah relief efforts. Furthermore, NPAT was recorded at Rs15.6Bn for FY 2025, up 41% YTD. Normalised for forex impacts, the company NPAT was up +>100% YTD to reach Rs17.0Bn. On a QoQ basis, Company NPAT was recorded at Rs4.5Bn, down 6% QoQ.

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Ceylinco Life’s Pranama Scholarships reach 25-year milestone

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Ceylinco Life has announced the launch of the 25th consecutive edition of its flagship Pranama Scholarships programme, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-standing commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence among the children of its policyholders.

Under the 2026 programme, the life insurance market leader will present scholarships with a total cumulative value of Rs. 22.7 million, continuing a rewards initiative that has now been conducted without interruption for a quarter of a century. Since its inception, the Ceylinco Life Pranama Scholarships programme has benefitted 3,466 students across the country, representing a total investment of Rs. 240 million in nurturing academic achievement and outstanding performance in sports, arts and other extracurricular pursuits.

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Sri Lankans’ artistic genius glowingly manifests at Kala Pola ‘26

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The spirit of Sri Lanka as it was ably captured by an artist.

The artistic genius of Sri Lankans was amply manifest all over again at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ which was held on February 8th at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha Colombo 7; the usual, teeming and colourful venue for this annual grand exhibition and celebration of the work of local visual artists.

If there is one thing that has flourished memorably and resplendently in Sri Lanka over the centuries it is the artistic capability or genius of its people. It is something that all Sri Lankans could feel a sense of elation over because from the viewpoint of the arts, Sri Lanka is second to no other nation. With regard to the visual arts a veritable dazzling radiance of this inborn and persisting capability is seen at the annual open air ‘Kala Pola’.

A bird of Sri Lanka created from scraps of iron waste.

All capable visual artists, wherever they hail from in Sri Lanka, enjoy the opportunity of exhibiting their work at the ‘Kala Pola’ and this is a distinctive ‘positive’ of this annual event that draws numberless artists and viewers. There was an abundance of paintings, sketches and sculptures, for instance, and one work was as good as the other. Ample and equal space was afforded each artist. Its widely participatory and open nature enables one to describe the exhibition as exuding a profoundly democratic ethos.

Accordingly, this time around at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ too Sri Lankans’ creative efforts were there to be viewed, studied and enjoyed in the customary carnival atmosphere where connoisseurs, local and foreign, met in a sprit of camaraderie and good cheer. Many thanks are owed once again to the George Keyt Foundation for the presentation of the event in association with the John Keells Group and the John Keells Foundation, not forgetting the Nations Trust Bank, which was the event’s Official Banking Partner. The exhibition was officially declared open by Chief Guest Marc-Andre Franche, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka.

By Lynn Ockersz

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