Business
Notable price appreciation of Hela Apparel Holdings shares
By Hiran H. Senewiratne
CSE trading activities were volatile throughout yesterday but notable price appreciation was witnessed in newly listed companies, especially Hela Apparel Holdings. The reason for the market to perform negatively was that profit- takings took place in several blue-chip companies, stock market analysts said.
Hela Apparel Holdings, the holding company of the Hela Clothing Group, ended its third quarter on a high note, having exceeded its annual performance for FY2020/21 within the first nine months of the current financial year and appreciated its share price by 24 per cent or Rs 3.60. Its share price shot up to Rs 18.60 from Rs 15.
During the day both indices moved downwards. The All Share Price Index was down by 130 points and the S and P SL20 declined by 52.9 points. Turnover stood at Rs six billion with two crossings. Those crossings were reported in JKH, which crossed two million shares to the tune of Rs 314 million, its shares traded at Rs 157 and LOLC Finance 2.6 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 73.5 million, its shares traded at Rs 28.
In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Hela Apparel Rs one billion (52.1 million shares traded), Commercial Leasing and Finance Rs 781 million (22.2 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 688 million (1.9 million shares traded), LOLC Finance Rs 470 million (16.5 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 219 million (14.4 million shares traded),Softlogic Holdings Rs 193 million ( 2.7 million shares traded) and Sunshine Holdings Rs 181 million (3.6 million shares traded). During the day 193 million share volumes changed hands in 59000 transactions.
It is said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in LOLC Finance, Sunshine Holdings and Hayleys. Mixed interest was observed in Expolanka Holdings, Softlogic Life Insurance and LOLC Holdings while retail interest was noted in Browns Investments, Anilana Hotels & Properties and Renuka Agri Foods.
Yesterday the US dollar rate quoted at Rs 203.08, which was the controlled price by the Central Bank. If the IMF comes to the rescue of the economy they would advise the government to free float the dollar, which would touch more than Rs 250, market sources said.
MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka (MLG) announced the appointment of Sarah Nasry as Director & Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.
In her new role, Sarah will lead both the Finance and Human Resources functions at MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial strategy and people agenda. She holds a distinguished track record across multiple business disciplines, including Supply Chain, ICT, Administration, Corporate Communications, and CSR. Sarah brings a wealth of experience from her most recent position as General Manager – Finance & Business Partnering at Brandix, Sri Lanka’s leading apparel manufacturer.
Recognised for her strengths in business partnering, financial planning, and strategic decision-making, Sarah is also widely respected for nurturing inclusive, people-centric cultures that foster growth and high performance.
Thayalan Bartlett, Executive Chairman of MLG, commented, “Sarah’s appointment follows an extensive search for the right person to lead our finance division through the next phase of our journey. Her wide-ranging experience and strong leadership credentials give me every confidence that she will continue to strengthen the financial integrity and compliance standards we are known for, and the Board looks forward to working closely alongside her in this journey.”
Sarah also marks a significant milestone for the company, becoming the first female member of MLG’s Board of Directors. She will additionally serve on the MLG Executive Committee (ExCo), reinforcing the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion at the leadership level.
Commenting on her appointment, Sarah said, “I am honoured and excited to join MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka and help steer the company into its next chapter. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at MLG to drive financial strength, champion a people-first culture, and build on the company’s strong legacy of creativity and performance.”
Business
Sun Siyam Pasikudah Named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Best of the Best Winner for 2025
Sun Siyam Pasikudah, a boutique luxury resort on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, is thrilled to announce its recent win at the Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best for 2025, placing it among the top 10 percent of resorts worldwide. This accolade reflects the resort’s commitment to exceptional guest experiences, sustainable practices, and community engagement.
As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers and diners. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travelers’ favorites.
Reopened in November 2023 after an extensive transformation, Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers 34 spacious one- and two-bedroom garden and beach pavilions, each featuring bold monochromatic interiors accented with golden tones. The redesign, led by Studio Sixty7, emphasizes a blend of contemporary elegance and local craftsmanship. The resort collaborated with local artisans, showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich talent and cultural heritage.
‘‘We are thrilled to being recognized on par with some of the world’s best resorts. Under just two years since our reopening, this achievement couldn’t be possible with the tremendous effort and support of our world-class team and our guests that keep coming for the unique experiences we offer. We are proud to contribute to Sri Lanka, a destination that is on every traveler’s go-to list,’ said its General Manager, Arshed Refai who has been with Sun Siyam Resorts for over a decade.
OTTO Bathware has received Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). This certification confirms that OTTO’s sanitaryware meets the highest national standards for safety, durability, and performance. With over 30 years of experience, OTTO Bathware operates under the ADI Group (Art Decoration International Pvt. Ltd.- www.ottobathware.com) and runs a modern 435,000square feet manufacturing facility in Bandaragama. The company has grown to become; South-Asia’s largest decorative ceramic manufacturer/ exporter, Sri Lanka’s second-largest sanitaryware producer, supplying to over 500 retailers island-wide.
“We’re proud to offer sanitaryware that meets national safety and quality standards. We encourage all Sri Lankans to look beyond the price tag and choose products that are certified, tested, and built to last.” said its Chairman, S. H. B. Karunarathne.
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