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View all(110)📈 Central Bank Open Market Operations - 29 Oct 2026
• Call Money Market: Weighted average rate held at 9.03% (range: 9.00%–9.08%) with a net volume of Rs. 29.12 Bn (gross Rs. 30.62 Bn). • Repo Market: Weighted average rate stood at 9.09% (range: 9.07%–9.10%) with total market turnover reaching Rs. 57.62 Bn. • CBSL Auctions: - Overnight Repo: Offered Rs. 40 Bn; accepted full Rs. 37 Bn in received bids at a weighted average rate of 8.75%. - Long-Term Repo (31 days): Offered Rs. 30 Bn; accepted all Rs. 10 Bn received bids at a weighted average yield of 9.23%. • Standing Facilities: Commercial bank absorption via Standing Deposit Facility reached Rs. 84.34 Bn, while Standing Lending Facility usage was Rs. 5.00 Bn. • CBSL Holdings: Central Bank T-Bills/Bonds portfolio stood at a face value of Rs. 2.49 Tn (book value of Rs. 1.50 Tn).
📉 Sri Lanka Rupee Bonds See Net Outflows After 3-Week Buying Streak
Foreign investors turned net sellers of Sri Lanka rupee bonds for the first time in four weeks in the week ended October 22, driven by downward pressure on the local currency. • Overall Bond Flows: - Weekly Net Outflow: Rs. 2.82 Bn (US$ 8.5 Mn) sold by offshore investors. - Recent Trend: Net foreign outflows reach Rs. 13.8 Bn over the last six weeks, reversing Rs. 5.5 Bn in net buying over the preceding three weeks. - Year-to-Date: Net inflows stand at ~Rs. 58.3 Bn so far this year (vs. Rs. 71.5 Bn total net inflows in the previous year). • Currency & Macro Context: - Rupee Performance: The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated 6.7% year-to-date (through October 27) due to higher oil & vehicle imports and Middle East geopolitical tensions. - Monetary Action: The rupee has stabilized following the Central Bank's 100 bps policy rate hike in May to control inflation, which surged after a ~50% fuel price hike earlier in the year.
📈 Sri Lanka Market Update: Rupee Steady, Bond Yields Mixed, CSE Gains
• Foreign Exchange: The Sri Lankan rupee was quoted at 332.67/75 against the US dollar spot. Bank TT rates were 328.05 buying and 337.05 selling for USD, 363.39 buying and 377.17 selling for EUR, and 436.35 buying and 450.46 selling for GBP. • Government Securities: Bond yields traded steady to slightly lower across most maturities, though long-term paper saw a slight uptick: • Aug 2030: Flat at 11.55/60% • Oct 2030: Down to 11.60/62% (from 11.63/65%) • Feb 2031: Down to 11.70/75% (from 11.72/75%) • Mar 2031: Flat at 11.75/80% • Dec 2031: Down to 11.85/90% (from 11.88/93%) • Oct 2034: Up to 12.50/55% (from 12.40/50%) • Capital Markets: The Colombo Stock Exchange showed positive momentum. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 0.60% (+120.00 pts) to reach 20,090, while the S&P SL20 rose 0.66% (+37.37 pts) to 5,729.
📈 Sri Lanka Stocks Rise 1.27% as DCSL Consolidates Beer Operations
• Market Indices: The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 1.27% (253.39 points) to reach 20,223.61 in early trade. The S&P SL20 index rose 1.16% (65.78 points) to 5,758.35. • Market Activity: Early market turnover stood at LKR 348.62 Mn, led primarily by the Diversified Financials sector with LKR 92.89 Mn. No major negative contributors were recorded. • Top Gainers: Key positive drivers included Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) up 5.19% to LKR 54.70, Sunshine Holdings up 5.07% to LKR 29.00, Dialog Axiata up 1.61% to LKR 44.20, Hatton National Bank up 1.40% to LKR 380.00, and Commercial Bank of Ceylon up 0.50% to LKR 200.00. • Corporate Restructuring: DCSL announced that its subsidiary, DCSL Breweries Lanka Ltd, transferred brewing, packaging, and distribution operations directly to DCSL PLC effective October 28, following Excise Department approval. DCSL will now manage hard liquor alongside beer brands (including Heineken, Tiger, Anchor, Aliya, Bison, and DCSL beer). The group noted this operational change will streamline retail trade without significantly impacting net profits.
📈 Sri Lanka Secondary Bond Market Trades Steady to Lower Ahead of Rs. 100 Bn Auction
• Secondary Market & T-Bill Auction Overview: Secondary market yields traded steady to lower on select tenors with healthy activity. At the weekly Treasury Bill auction, 182-day (9.44%) and 364-day (9.95%) yields remained unchanged for the 4th consecutive week, while the 91-day yield rose marginally by 2 bps to 9.34%. • Treasury Bill Auction Performance: The Public Debt Management Office raised Rs. 86.48 Bn (86.48% of offered amount) against a total demand of 2.25 times the offered total. Phase II subscription for 182-day and 364-day tenors remains open today. • Upcoming Treasury Bond Auction: Rs. 100 Bn in Treasury Bonds to be offered today across 15.05.2030 (Rs. 40 Bn), 15.10.2034 (Rs. 40 Bn), and 15.08.2036 (Rs. 20 Bn) maturities, settling on Nov 2, 2026. • Money & Forex Markets: Net liquidity surplus stood at Rs. 118.55 Bn, with CBSL mopping out Rs. 40 Bn via overnight repo auction at 8.75%. Spot USD/LKR rate closed steady at Rs. 332.50/332.60, with daily traded volume at $ 53.30 Mn.
📈 CSE Extends Recovery for 2nd Straight Session
• Overall Market Performance: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded strong gains yesterday, backed by improving investor sentiment. - ASPI: Up 1.41% (+277.55 points) to close at 19,970.22. - S&P SL20: Up 1.43% (+80.26 points) to close at 5,692.57. - Market Breadth: Positive, with 151 gainers against 53 losers. • Trading Activity & Investor Flows: - Total Turnover: Nearly Rs. 2.2 Bn on over 67.4 Mn shares traded. - Foreign Investors: Net sellers, recording a net outflow of Rs. 894.3 Mn. • Sector & Stock Highlights: - Top contributors to ASPI gains included Commercial Bank (COMB), Dialog Axiata (DIAL), Hatton National Bank (HNB), Hemas Holdings (HHL), and CIC Holdings (CIC). - Sector turnover was led by Telecommunications (39%), followed by Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Materials (collectively 27%). • Market Sentiment: Bourse traded in positive territory driven by stronger market participation, with positive momentum partly influenced by global developments surrounding the conclusion of Israeli elections.
📈 Sri Lanka Stocks Surge: ASPI Gains 1.41% as Turnover Reaches Rs 2.17 Bn
• Market Indices: The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 1.41% (+277.55 points) to close at 19,970.22, while the S&P SL20 rose 1.55% (+86.99 points) to end at 5,699.30. • Key Gainers: Market growth was led by banking & finance and telecom stocks, including Dialog Axiata (+3.08%), Hemas Holdings (+3.00%), Hatton National Bank (+1.97%), Commercial Bank (+1.79%), and Hayleys (+1.27%). • Top Loss-Makers: Trans Asia Hotels (-6.79%), Capital Alliance (-5.00%), C. W. Mackie (-3.49%), textiles stock Teejay Lanka (-2.46%), and John Keells Holdings (-0.56%) were the top negative contributors. • Turnover & Sector Trends: Total market turnover stood at Rs 2.17 Bn, heavily led by telecommunications services at Rs 851.48 Mn. Significant crossings were noted in Melstacorp, LB Finance, and Hemas Holdings totaling 2.67 Mn shares.
📈 Sri Lanka Treasury Bill Yields Rise on 3-Month Tenor as Sales Fall Short
• Auction Overview: The Public Debt Management Office sold LKR 86.48 Bn in Treasury bills against an offered LKR 100 Bn at Wednesday's auction. • Yield & Tenor Breakdown: • 3-Month: Yield rose 2 bps to 9.34% (LKR 50 Bn offered, LKR 68.09 Bn sold). • 6-Month: Yield unchanged at 9.44% (LKR 25 Bn offered, LKR 9.34 Bn sold). • 12-Month: Yield unchanged at 9.95% (LKR 25 Bn offered, LKR 9.03 Bn sold). • Key Takeaway: Yields saw a slight uptick on shorter-term government securities, while 6- and 12-month tenors remained steady and are currently available on tap.
💵 Sri Lanka Market Update: Rupee Marginally Weaker, Stock Market Gains 📈
• Foreign Exchange: The Sri Lankan rupee traded slightly weaker at 332.52/60 per US dollar in the spot market, down from 332.40/50 on Tuesday. TT buying/selling rates stood at 327.90/336.90 for US$, 362.11/375.89 for EUR, and 435.03/449.14 for GBP. • Government Securities: Bond yields remained broadly flat while an auction of Rs. 100 Bn Treasury bills was ongoing. Yield dynamics on key maturities included: - 15.09.2029: 11.05/15% (vs 11.08/15%) - 01.08.2030: 11.55/63% (vs 11.55/60%) - 15.10.2030: 11.62/68% (vs 11.63/65%) - 01.02.2031: 11.75/80% (flat) - 01.12.2031: 11.87/93% (vs 11.85/95%) - 15.10.2034: 12.50/60% (flat) • Equities: The Colombo Stock Exchange trended upward in morning trade, driven by positive sentiment: - ASPI: Up 0.67% (+131.19 pts) to 19,823 - S&P SL20: Up 0.74% (+41.68 pts) to 5,653
📈 Sri Lankan Stocks Trend Up; Alliance Finance to Raise Up to Rs 1 Bn via Gender-Responsive Bonds
• Stock Market Overview: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) traded higher, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining 0.48% (+94.84 points) to reach 19,787.51. The S&P SL20 index rose 0.55% (+30.97 points) to 5,643.28. Total market turnover reached Rs 964.6 Mn. • Sector & Stock Performance: The telecommunication services industry group led market turnover, generating Rs 832.13 Mn. Major gainers driving the index included Dialog Axiata (+1.42%), Hatton National Bank (+1.97%), Vallibel One (+3.01%), LOLC Holdings (+0.26%), and Renuka Foods (+9.38%). Downward pressure came from Capital Alliance (-5.00%), Teejay Lanka (-2.11%), Sri Lanka Telecom (-1.14%), and Haycarb (-0.63%). • Corporate Debt Issuance: Alliance Finance Company PLC resolved to issue up to 10 Mn listed, rated, unsecured, redeemable 3-year bonds at Rs 100 par value to raise up to Rs 1 Bn. The orange-labeled, gender-responsive bonds aim to fund MSME value chain financing, MSME climate financing, and microfinance targeting women-led enterprises and female beneficiaries, subject to regulatory approvals.
📈 CSE Ends Six-Session Slump to Close Higher
• Overall Market Performance: The All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 0.27% (+52.11 points) to end at 19,692.67, while the S&P SL20 rose 0.19% (+10.44 points) to 5,612.31. Market breadth was positive with 125 gainers against 75 decliners. • Turnover & Foreign Activity: Daily turnover reached ~Rs. 549.4 million with over 34 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net buyers, recording a net inflow of Rs. 35.12 million. • Top Sector Breakdown: • Materials: Top turnover contributor (27% share), sector index up 0.25%. Led by CIC Holdings (down Rs. 0.10 to Rs. 24.90) and Haycarb (up Rs. 1.25 to Rs. 199.75). • Capital Goods: Second highest turnover contributor, sector index up 0.69%, driven by John Keells Holdings (up Rs. 0.20 to Rs. 17.90). • Banking: Formed part of the top turnover drivers, with materials, capital goods, and banking collectively contributing 24% of remaining market turnover. • Market Sentiment & Participation: Cautious buying and measured activity prevailed throughout the session. High net worth and institutional participation were key in Softlogic Life Insurance, CIC Holdings, and John Keells Holdings, while retail interest centered on Browns Investments, LOLC Finance, and Ceylon Land & Equity. Top ASPI gain contributors included DIAL, CARS, CCS, SEMB, and LGL.
📈 Sri Lanka Market & Debt Update: Secondary Bond Yields Rise; Rs. 100 Bn Auctions in Focus
• Secondary Bond Market: Yields rose across selected tenors on selling interest, offset by absorptive buying in block transactions. Key trades included 2030s at 11.60%-11.63%, 2031s up to 11.90%, 2033s at 12.37%, and 2034s reaching 12.55%-12.57%. • Treasury Bill Auction: Today's auction offers Rs. 100.00 Bn (Rs. 50 Bn in 91-day, Rs. 25 Bn in 182-day, Rs. 25 Bn in 364-day)—below the Rs. 130.25 Bn maturing depth. Last week's auction raised Rs. 80.61 Bn (80.61% of offer) with 91-day yields edging up 2 bps to 9.32%, while 182-day (9.44%) and 364-day (9.95%) yields remained flat. • Treasury Bond Auction: Scheduled for 29th Oct with Rs. 100.00 Bn total on offer across May 2030 (Rs. 40 Bn, 11.00% coupon), Oct 2034 (Rs. 40 Bn, 11.70% coupon), and Aug 2036 (Rs. 20 Bn, 10.85% coupon). Settlement set for 2 Nov 2026. • Money Market & Liquidity: Net liquidity surplus reached Rs. 120.50 Bn. CBSL absorbed Rs. 93.75 Bn via SDFR (8.25%) and mopped up Rs. 26.75 Bn via overnight repo at 8.75%. Call money and repo rates averaged 9.02% and 9.07%. • Forex Market: Rupee dipped marginally with USD/LKR spot closing at Rs. 332.45/332.50 (vs. previous Rs. 332.25/332.40). Daily traded volume stood at US$ 53.75 Mn.