Business
Policy uncertainties restrain investors
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
CSE activities were positive briefly yesterday but turnover proved negative as investors were cautious and tended to think twice before investing in the stock market due to the government’s inconsistent policies, stock market analysts said.
However, JKH share prices started moving up because India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited selected JKH as a local partner along with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to develop the West Container Terminal of the Colombo Port.
Cabinet spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a press briefing that Sri Lanka will join hands with a giant Indian conglomerate to launch a Build, Operate and Transfer deal to develop the West Container Terminal of the Colombo Port.
Accordingly, JKH share prices began to move up and at the end of the day its shares increased in price by 0.2 percent or 25 cents. JKH shares started trading at Rs. 150.50 and at the end of the day they moved up to Rs. 150.75.
Amid those developments, both indices moved downwards. The All Share Price Index went down by 94.75 points and S and P SL20 went down by 52.18 points. Turnover stood at Rs. 1.99 billion with four crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank, which crossed 3.2 million shares to the tune of Rs. 492 million, its shares traded at Rs. 155, HNB 450,000 shares crossed for Rs. 58.5 million, its shares fetching Rs. 130, Lion Brewery 89800 shares crossed for Rs. 48.5 million; its shares traded at Rs. 540 and Royal Ceramic 165,000 shares crossed for Rs. 45.5 million; its shares traded at Rs. 276.
In the retail market, five companies that contributed to the turnover were, Expolanka Rs. 144.4 million (3.1 million shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs. 131.8 million (848,000 share traded), Browns Investments Rs. 119 million (21.2 million shares traded), Dipped Products Rs. 100.4 million (2.1 million shares traded) and LOLC Rs. 87.7 million (251,000 shares traded). During the day 68.7 million share volumes changed hands in 16422 transactions.
It is said that with the corporate results season having now come to an end and in the absence of any significant market catalyst, one expects the market to trade range-bound in the immediate term.
“Nonetheless, given our sanguine long term outlook for the bourse, supported by our expectation of a low interest rate environment, we advise investors to gradually start accumulating a well-diversified portfolio of stocks which are cash generative, have strong earnings and revenue growth attributes, and have the ability to outperform over a complete market cycle, stock market analysts said.
Vidullanka PLC yesterday completed the acquisition of a 51% equity stake in Orik Corporation Ltd., which holds the right and approvals to develop a 1 MW ground mounted solar power plant in Moneragala.The power purchasing agreement signed with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) allows the company to sell the generated electricity at a tariff of Rs. 15.97 for a 20-year period.According to the share purchase agreement, Vidullanka will further acquire a 10 percent stake in the company upon achieving the financial close for the project. It will continue to invest in the equity of Orik Corporation, which would ultimately increase the ownership of Vidullanka to 87 percent, while the 13 percent equity stake will be held by the promoters.
Sri Lanka’s rupee quoted weaker at 196.20/197.00 levels to the US dollar in the one-week forwards market on Tuesday while bond yields were steady, dealers said. The rupee last closed in the spot market at 195.50/196.00 to the dollar on Monday. The rupee has fallen from 186.40 in December 2020 to 194.40 to the US dollar in January 2021.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
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