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View all(91)📉 Continuous Market Decline Wipes Out Rs. 324 Bn from Colombo Bourse in October 2026
• Market Downturn Overview: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) lost nearly Rs. 324 Bn in total market capitalization during the first 20 days of October 2026 due to continuous market declines. • Index Performance: • All Share Price Index (ASPI): Dropped by 75.64 points to close at 19,983.78, dipping below the psychological 20,000-point threshold. • S&P SL20 Index: Fell by 19.24 points to settle at 5,681.51 points. • Market Capitalization Breakdown: • Current Valuation: Rs. 7,224.21 Bn as of October 20. • Start of October 2026: Rs. 7,548.18 Bn. • Cumulative Loss: Rs. 323.97 Bn (~Rs. 324 Bn) over 20 days. • Historical Context: A year prior (October 14, 2025), total market capitalization crossed the historic Rs. 8,000 Bn (Rs. 8 trillion) threshold for the first time.
📉 Sri Lanka Stocks Trade Lower at Midday on Tuesday
• Market Performance: Benchmark ASPI dropped 0.47% (-93.43 points) to 19,965.99, while the liquid S&P SL20 fell 0.36% (-20.59 points) to 5,680.16. • Market Turnover: Total market turnover stood at Rs 356.80 Mn at midday. The banking sector led turnover activity, accounting for Rs 174.06 Mn. • Top Gainers: Hayleys Fabric (+3.47% to Rs 26.80), C T Holdings (+1.97% to Rs 530.00), John Keells Hotels (+1.34% to Rs 15.10), and Commercial Bank of Ceylon (+0.13% to Rs 198.50). • Top Losers: LOLC Holdings (-2.70% to Rs 397.00), Richard Pieris & Co (-2.65% to Rs 25.70), Distilleries Co (-1.73% to Rs 51.20), Dialog Axiata (-1.16% to Rs 42.50), and Ceylon Cold Stores (-0.82% to Rs 121.00). • Corporate News: Access Engineering PLC announced shareholders agreed to end the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub project. The company expects to recover ~Rs 1.453 Bn from its total investment of ~Rs 1.762 Bn under a settlement agreement.
📉 CSE Closes Lower as ASPI Drops 0.38%
• Overall Indices: Benchmark ASPI shed 75.64 points (-0.38%) to close at 19,983.78. The liquid S&P SL20 declined by 13.98 points (-0.25%) to end at 5,686.77. Market turnover stood at Rs. 794.96 Bn (provisional data indicates Rs. 794.96 Mn). • Sector Performance: The banking sector (S&P/CSE Banks) led total turnover, generating Rs. 250.97 Mn. • Key Movers: • Top Gainers: Industrial Asphalts (+20.00%), C T Holdings (+3.13%), Namunukula Plantations (+2📉 Sri Lanka Stocks Close Lower: ASPI Drops 0.38% • Overall Market Performance: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed lower on Tuesday. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) fell 0.38% (down 75.64 points) to 19,983.78, while the liquid S&P SL20 dropped 0.25% (down 13.98 points) to 5,686.77. Market turnover stood at LKR 794.96 Mn, led by the banking sector with LKR 250.97 Mn. • Top Index Contributors: • Gainers: C T Holdings (+3.13%), Namunukula Plantations (+2.95%), Industrial Asphalts (+20.00%), John Keells Holdings (+0.56%), and ACL Cables (+0.91%). • Decliners: Kotmale Holdings (-4.50%), construction & engineering firm Access Engineering (-2.46%), LOLC Holdings (-2.27%), Dialog Axiata (-0.47%), and Hatton National Bank (-0.47%). • Key Turnover & Crossings: Top crossings included Sampath Bank (LKR 138.00 Mn), Melstacorp (LKR 57.55 Mn), CAL Three Year Closed End Fund (LKR 53.52 Mn), and Access Engineering (LKR 44.86 Mn). • Corporate & Energy Highlights: • Renewable Energy: Vidullanka PLC commissioned its 10 MW Ranna solar power project in Hambantota under a long-term PPA with the CEB, operated via a 50% JV with David Peiris Group. • Corporate Restructuring: Access Engineering shareholders agreed to terminate the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub project, expecting to recover ~LKR 1.453 Bn from its LKR 1.762 Bn total investment.
Sri Lanka Rupee Closes Flat at 331.60/70; Bond Yields Steady to Lower 📈
• Foreign Exchange Market: Sri Lanka's rupee closed flat at 331.60/70 against the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday. • Government Securities & Bonds: Yields on selected treasury bond tenors closed steady to lower: - 15.09.2029: Closed at 11.10/15% (down from 11.10/25%) - 01.08.2030: Closed at 11.55/63% (up from 11.50/60%) - 15.10.2030: Closed at 11.60/65% (down from 11.65/75%) - 01.12.2031: Closed at 11.80/88% - 15.01.2033: Closed at 12.15/20% (down from 12.25/30%) - 15.10.2034: Closed flat at 12.40/50%
📈 CBSL Open Market Operations Summary – 20 Oct 2026
• Overnight Money Market - Call Money Market: Total net volume of Rs. 48.59 Bn with a weighted average rate of 9.00% (range: 8.96% - 9.02%). - Repo Market: Total net volume of Rs. 86.70 Bn with a weighted average rate of 9.04% (range: 9.00% - 9.07%). • Open Market Operations (OMO) - Overnight Repo Auction: Offered Rs. 50.00 Bn; fully accepted out of Rs. 52.00 Bn bids at a weighted average yield of 8.75%. - Short-Term Repo (7-Day): Offered Rs. 10.00 Bn; no bids were received/accepted. - Long-Term Repo (30-Day): Offered Rs. 20.00 Bn; fully accepted out of Rs. 33.00 Bn bids at a weighted average yield of 9.25%. • CBSL Standing Facilities & Holdings - Standing Deposit Facility usage stood at Rs. 78.30 Bn, while Standing Lending Facility usage was Rs. 10.00 Mn. - Central Bank treasury bills/bonds holdings totaled a face value of Rs. 2.49 Tn (book value of Rs. 1.51 Tn).
📉 Sri Lanka Rupee Weaker at 331.75/90 per US Dollar; Bond Yields Rise
• Forex Market: Sri Lanka’s rupee depreciated to 331.75/90 against the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday morning, easing from 331.60/70 recorded on the previous day. • Government Securities / Bond Yields: Yields across key sovereign bond maturities moved higher during morning trade: • 15.09.2029: 11.10/30% (up from 11.10/25%) • 01.08.2030: 11.65/70% (up from 11.50/60%) • 01.12.2031: 11.90/12.00% • 15.01.2033: 12.25/35% (up from 12.25/30%) • 15.06.2034: 12.50/55% (up from 12.40/50%) • Market Sentiment: Reflects modest upward yield movements and light currency pressure in early Tuesday trading.
📈 Sri Lanka Bond Market Yields Rise Amid Aggressive Selling; Rupee Depreciates
• Secondary Bond Market: Yields spiked across the board driven by continued selling pressure, though strong buying support at higher levels capped further increases and boosted transacted volumes. • 15.06.29: Traded at 11.19% • 01.08.30: Traded higher at 11.55% • 01.02.31 & 01.12.31: Up to 11.65%–11.75% and 11.82%–11.90% • 15.01.33: Traded up to 12.15%–12.25% • 2034 Tenors: Heavy trading across 15.06.34 (12.45%–12.48%), 15.09.34 (12.35%–12.45%), and 15.10.34 (12.33%) • Money Market & Liquidity: • Net liquidity surplus: Rs. 125.42 Bn • Standing Deposit Facility (8.25%): Rs. 87.20 Bn deposited • Standing Lending Facility (9.25%): Rs. 0.01 Bn withdrawn • Central Bank Repo Auctions (8.75%): Rs. 38.20 Bn liquidity absorbed overnight • Weighted average overnight rates: Call Money at 8.99%, Repos at 9.05% • Forex Market: • Sri Lankan Rupee (USD/LKR) depreciated marginally to Rs. 331.60/331.70 from Rs. 331.25/331.35 • Traded volume: US$ 92.07 Mn
📉 CSE Starts Week on a Weak Note Down 0.62% Amid Muted Sentiment
• Overall Indices: Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) opened the week in red as the ASPI fell 0.62% (-125.63 pts) to 20,059.42, while the S&P SL20 declined 0.66% (-38.08 pts) to 5,700.75. • Market Breadth & Movers: Market breadth was negative with 141 decliners against 59 gainers. Top negative drag on the ASPI came from DIAL, HNB, HHL, OSEA, and JKH. • Activity & Foreign Flow: Turnover reached over Rs. 680 million on 33.6 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers with an outflow of Rs. 39.3 million. Off-board transactions were recorded in JKH and SAMP. • Sector Breakdown: The banking sector dominated market turnover contributing 28%, while capital goods and materials sectors collectively accounted for 37%. • Market Sentiment: Cautious sentiment persisted due to ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, keeping retail investor participation at subdued levels.
Sri Lanka Rupee Weaker, Bond Yields Edge Higher 📈
• Foreign Exchange: The Sri Lankan rupee closed weaker in the spot market at 331.60/70 to the US dollar on Monday (Oct 19), compared to 331.25/35 in the previous session. • Government Securities: Treasury bond yields closed higher across key maturities: - 2029 (15.09.2029): Closed at 11.10/25% (up from 11.05/15%) - 2030 (01.08.2030): Closed at 11.50/60% (up from 11.40/50%) - 2030 (15.10.2030): Closed at 11.65/75% (up from 11.50/55%) - 2031 (01.02.2031): Closed at 11.75/80% (up from 11.55/65%) - 2032 (15.12.2032): Closed at 11.90/12.10% (up from 11.80/90%) - 2033 (15.01.2033): Closed at 12.25/30% (up from 11.95/12.05%) - 2034 (15.06.2034): Closed at 12.40/50% (up from 12.20/25%)
Sri Lankan Rupee Softens to 331.55/65 Spot; Bond Yields Tick Higher 📈
• Rupee & Forex Rates: The Sri Lankan rupee weakened to 331.55/65 per US dollar in the spot market on Monday, down from 331.25/35 in the previous session. Commercial bank TT rates stood at 326.80 buying / 335.80 selling for USD, 364.41 buying / 378.19 selling for EUR, and 434.57 buying / 448.67 selling for GBP. • Government Securities & Debt: Secondary market bond yields edged slightly higher across key tenors: • 01.08.2030: 11.42/50% (up from 11.40/50%) • 15.10.2030: 11.50/55% (flat) • 01.02.2031: 11.60/65% (up from 11.55/65%) • 15.01.2033: 12.00/08% (up from 11.95/12.05%) • 15.10.2034: 12.30/35% (up from 12.25/35%) • Market Liquidity & Auctions: The Central Bank announced a upcoming Treasury bill auction scheduled for October 21 to issue Rs 100 Bn in T-bills.
📉 Sri Lanka Shares Edge Lower in Early Trade
• Market Overview: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) opened slightly lower on Monday morning. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) slipped 0.06% (-11.49 points) to 20,173.56, while the liquid S&P SL20 gained 0.09% (+5.07 points) to 5,743.90. Total market turnover stood at LKR 232.69 Mn, driven primarily by the banking sector (LKR 108.38 Mn). • Top Movers: - Gains were led by Tokyo Cement (+2.67% to LKR 77.00), Sri Lanka Telecom (+2.27% to LKR 81.00), LOLC Finance (+2.13% to LKR 4.80), Vallibel One (+0.71% to LKR 85.60), and Commercial Bank (+0.51% to LKR 199.00). - Dragging the index down were Vallibel Finance (-1.96% to LKR 79.90), ACL Cables (-1.34% to LKR 88.10), Dialog Axiata (-0.45% to LKR 43.80), and LOLC Holdings (-0.30% to LKR 410.00). • Corporate Deals & Dividends: - Healthcare & Digital: Sunshine Healthcare Lanka acquired a ~21.92% stake in Digital Health (operator of Doc990) for LKR 410.83 Mn, buying 16.65% from Dialog Axiata's subsidiary (LKR 312.17 Mn) and 5.26% from Ceylon Hospitals (LKR 98.66 Mn). - Chemicals: Union Chemicals Lanka declared a 1st interim dividend of LKR 48.00 per share for FY2026 (Record date: Oct 28; Payment: Nov 13).
📉 CSE Closes Lower as ASPI Falls 0.62%
• Market Indices & Turnover: Benchmark ASPI declined 0.62% (-125.63 pts) to 20,059.42, while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.51% (-29.36 pts) to 5,709.📉 CSE Closes Lower on Monday; ASPI Down 0.62% • Market Performance: Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange ended lower as local sentiment mirrored regional Asian market declines and ongoing volatility. - ASPI: Dropped 125.63 points (-0.62%) to close at 20,059.42. - S&P SL20: Declined 29.36 points (-0.51%) to close at 5,709.47. • Turnover & Sector Activity: Total market turnover remained low at LKR 680.32 Mn. - Banking: Led sector turnover with LKR 188.71 Mn. - Capital Goods: Second-highest turnover at LKR 177.78 Mn. - Major off-market crossings included Seylan Bank (LKR 98 Mn) and John Keells Holdings (LKR 26 Mn). • Top Contributors: - Gains: Watawala Plantations (+2.43% to LKR 46.40), Richard Pieris & Co (+1.54% to LKR 26.40), Ceylon Cold Stores (+0.62% to LKR 122.00), and Commercial Bank (+0.13% to LKR 198.25). - Losses: Dialog Axiata (-2.27% to LKR 43.00), Overseas Realty (-2.00% to LKR 49.00), John Keells Holdings (-1.67% to LKR 17.70), Hemas Holdings (-1.29% to LKR 30.50), and Hatton National Bank (-0.79% to LKR 375.00).