FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – The Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka experienced a decline in trading on Monday, according to data from the CSE. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) fell by 1.07 percent amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
The ASPI decreased by 233.18 points, closing at 21,532.38, while the more actively traded S&P SL20 index dropped by 0.68 percent, equating to a loss of 41.52 points, finishing at 6,035.94.
Market analysts indicated that the downturn was influenced by the recent developments in West Asia, as hostilities intensified between the US and Iran, particularly concerning maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
On a positive note, several stocks contributed to the ASPI’s performance, including Bukit Darah, which rose by 1.68 percent to 864.25 rupees, Richard Pieris and Company, which increased by 1.64 percent to 31.00 rupees, and Citizens Development Business Finance, which gained 1.46 percent, closing at 41.60 rupees.
Conversely, the largest declines were seen in stocks such as CT Holdings, which fell by 7.94 percent to 501.75 rupees, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, down by 1.10 percent at 203.00 rupees, and Sampath Bank, which decreased by 1.08 percent, ending at 137.25 rupees. Other notable losers included Melstacorp, down by 1.21 percent at 183.25 rupees, and Hatton National Bank, which fell by 0.76 percent to 394.00 rupees.
The total market turnover reached 1.04 billion rupees, with the banking sector leading this figure at 280.3 million rupees.
Additionally, Palm Garden Hotels disclosed a failure to meet the Minimum Public Holding Requirement as stipulated by CSE regulations, reporting a public holding percentage of just 1.08 percent alongside a float-adjusted market capitalization of 288.1 million rupees.
In other news, People’s Leasing & Finance announced the listing of 59,766,864 ordinary voting shares, effective from July 13, 2026, as part of a scrip dividend initiative. Shares concluded the day down 0.47 percent, priced at 21.00 rupees.
