FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – The indices of the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka experienced an upward trend during midday trading on Thursday, according to data from the CSE. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) increased by 0.62 percent.
Specifically, the ASPI rose by 130.62 points, reaching a total of 21,297.56. Similarly, the more actively traded S&P SL20 index saw a gain of 0.66 percent, equating to 39.24 points, bringing it to 5,984.33.
Key drivers behind the ASPI’s positive performance included Commercial Bank of Ceylon, which rose by 1.87 percent to 204.00 rupees; Central Finance Company, which increased by 4.18 percent to 224.25 rupees; Richard Pieris and Company, up 6.87 percent at 28.00 rupees; Commercial Development Company, which climbed 6.25 percent to 39.10 rupees; and LOLC Holdings, which saw a 0.88 percent increase to 489.50 rupees.
On the downside, Samba Financial Review/Samba Capital (SEMB) experienced a significant decline of 10.00 percent, dropping to 0.90 rupees, while Access Engineering fell by 0.66 percent to 75.00 rupees.
The total market turnover reached 9.64 billion rupees, with the Diversified Financials sector leading this figure at 9.3 billion rupees.
Analysts highlighted a notable transaction involving Commercial Credit & Finance, which saw a trade worth 9 billion rupees by the liquidator of its parent group. Shares were priced at 107.50 rupees, marking a 1.65 percent increase.
In other news, Hela Apparel Holdings disclosed that its Board of Directors has decided to initiate the winding up of the company along with its subsidiaries, Hela Clothing and Foundation Garments, due to ongoing liquidity issues and an inability to meet debt obligations. An application for court-ordered liquidation was submitted to the Commercial High Court on August 5, 2026.
Additionally, the Colombo Stock Exchange announced the delisting of the ordinary voting shares of Associated Motor Finance Company, effective August 6, 2026, following its merger with L B Finance. (Colombo/August06/2026)
