Business
Tokyo Cement and Laugfs Gas share prices shoot up

By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Several companies witnessed some share price appreciation on the CSE trading floor with the government taking off the maximum retail price (MRP) control on four essential items, i.e., milk powder, wheat flour, LP Gas and cement yesterday. This would pave the way for a price hike of essentials, stock market analysts said.
With this announcement, Tokyo Cement and Laugfs Gas share prices appreciated significantly yesterday. Tokyo Cement (Non- Voting) shares appreciated by 11 percent or Rs 5. Its shares started trading at Rs 43 and at the end of the day they shot up to Rs 48 and Tokyo Cement (Voting) shares appreciated by 9 per cent or Rs 4.50. Its shares traded at Rs. 52 and at the end of the day they moved to Rs 56.50.
Further, Laugfs Gas shares also appreciated yesterday. Laugfs (Voting) price appreciated by 14 percent or Rs 3.20. Its shares started trading at Rs 22.90 and at the end of the day they moved up to Rs 26.10 and Laugfs (Non- Voting) shares appreciated by 10 percent or Rs 1.50. Its shares started trading at Rs 15.30 and at the end of the day they moved to Rs 16.80.
Amid those developments both indices indicated mixed reactions: All Share Price was up by 7.89 points and S and P SL20 down by 8.55 points. Turnover stood at Rs 3 billion with two crossings. Those crossings were reported in Royal Ceramic, which crossed 4.7 million shares to the tune of Rs 223 million and its shares traded at Rs 47.50 and Hayleys 250,000 shares crossed for Rs 25.2 million, its shares traded at Rs. 101.
In the retail market, top companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Browns Investments Rs 461 million (43 million shares traded), Tokyo Cement (Non- Voting) Rs 280 million (5.9 million shares traded), Tokyo Cement (Voting) Rs 187 million (3.3 million shares traded), Expolanka Holdings Rs 181 million (942,000 shares traded) and Royal Ceramic Rs 114 million (2.4 million shares traded). During the day 177 million share volumes changed hands in 28000 transactions.
Yesterday, the US dollar was quoted at Rs 200.082, which was a controlled price by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Business
Business World International Awards 2025 takes off at Mount Lavinia Hotel

The Business World International Conference and Awards Ceremony organised by Business World International Organisation INC-USA, the event which is recognized as one of the most prestigious Business Award Festivals in the Asia Pacific Region, was held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo with the participation of several business personalities and celebrities of Sri Lanka. The Joint Chief Guests were Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali (Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka) and Prof. Dr. Dietmar Doering (Founder / Chairman – AGSEP Research and Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA). Guests of Honour were Tham Whye Long (First Secretary/Head of Chancery – High Commission of Malaysia in Sri Lanka), Prof. Dr. Rohan De Silva (President – Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries), (Retd) Major General R. A. J. N. Ranasingha (RSP USP NDC MSC – Sri Lanka Army), Dr. Rohan Pallewatta (Excutive Chairman of the Start-Up High Tech Company – Lanka Harness, a BOI approved company operating in the Free Trade Zone at Biyagama in Sri Lanka), Dr. Kishu Gomes (Chairman – Exterminators PLC, Group Managing Director / CEO – Dreamron Group of Companies & Advisory Committee Member – Sri Lanka Tourism), Dian Gomes (Nonorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka, Chairman – Colombo School of Business Management & Independent Non-Executive Director – Nestle Lanka Ltd).
Special Guests were Rt. Rev. Bishop Prof. Dr. Nissanka Weerappulige (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Prof. Dr. Dame Anoma Weeraratne Wijenayake (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Gerd Heinzerling (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Priyantha Padmasiri (President – Sri Lanka Canada Business Council), M. H. K. M. Hameez (Vice President – Sri Lanka Canada Business Council & Immediate Past President – Sri Lanka Malaysia Business Council). The invitees were graciously welcomed by Dr. Anthony Dexter Fernando (Chairman – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter), Dr. Tharindu Wijenayake (Deputy Chairman – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter) and Dr. Emerita Wijenayake (Project Chairperson & Director – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter).
Business
Sampath Bank Partners with COYLE to Champion SME Growth and Entrepreneurship

Sampath Bank recently formalised a strategic partnership with the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at its Head Office. This partnership highlights Sampath Bank’s ongoing commitment to promoting innovation, driving business growth, and empowering Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Through this collaboration, Sampath Bank will serve as the official banking partner for the COYLE Awards and the Young Lankan Program, two flagship initiatives that recognise business excellence and nurture emerging leaders. Supporting these initiatives allows the Bank to create a strong pipeline for SME engagement, provide access to tailored financial solutions, and build meaningful relationships with the country’s leading entrepreneurs.
Business
ANC hosts NUCARS 2025

ANC, a leading Lankan higher education provider, partnered with Northwood University to host the 2025 NUCARS simulation in Sri Lanka for the first time. Held from April 7–11, the event brought together students from the U.S., Europe, and Sri Lanka for an immersive, hands-on learning experience in automotive retail strategy. Twenty-two ANC students participated, showcasing their ability to compete globally. Celebrating its 28th anniversary, NUCARS emphasized teamwork, cross-cultural collaboration, and real-world business decision-making—highlighting ANC’s commitment to delivering globally recognized education and empowering students with essential skills for the international marketplace, said a release.
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