FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – During midday trading on Wednesday, Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange experienced a downturn, with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) decreasing by 104 points.
The ASPI fell by 0.46 percent, equivalent to 104.80 points, bringing it to a total of 22,910.52. Similarly, the S&P SL20 index saw a decline of 0.45 percent, or 28.05 points, settling at 6,266.26.
Ranjan Ranatunga, Assistant Vice President of Research at First Capital Holdings PLC, indicated that the ongoing instability in the Middle East is negatively affecting investor sentiment. He also noted that the recent heavy rainfall and flooding are contributing to these concerns.
The trading turnover reached 728 million rupees during the session.
Significant contributors to the decline of the ASPI included Melstacorp, which dropped by 2 rupees to 190, Sampath Bank, which fell by 1.25 rupees to 148, and HNB, which decreased by 2 rupees to 414.25.
On a positive note, Ceylon Tobacco announced a dividend of 34 rupees per share on Tuesday, resulting in its stock rising by 10.50 rupees to a price of 1,830.
Additionally, Kapruka Holdings reported a decrease of 60 cents to reach 27 rupees, revealing plans to invest 41,510,541 rupees into its subsidiary, Kapruka E-Commerce. This investment will allow them to purchase 883,203 new ordinary voting shares at a price of 47 rupees each to fund the acquisition of electric delivery vehicles and support working capital needs. (Colombo/May13/2026)
