25/08/2026
Market Drifts South with Low Turnover Ahead of Holidays...
The All - Share Price Index (ASPI) declined throughout the trading session to give up 0.31% to close at 21,279.65. Meanwhile, the more liquid S&P SL20 Index slid 0.24% to settle at 5,994.81. With today’s performance, the ASPI remains 5.94% lower YTD while the S&P SL20 Index is 2.64% down from the beginning of the year.
Market breadth skewed negative with 65 gainers against 111 decliners. The ASPI’s descent was primarily driven by Cargills (Ceylon) PLC (CARG.N), Dialog Axiata PLC (DIAL.N) and Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N).
The activity was woefully lackluster today ahead of the two- day holidays as the turnover came in at LKR 796.92Mn, marking the lowest since 17th July 2026, down significantly from yesterday's record turnover of LKR 16.85Bn driven by some large block trades. This is also well below the daily average turnover of LKR 4.03Bn. Sector - wise, activity was led by Capital Goods, Materials and Banking.
Meanwhile, Moody’s Ratings yesterday affirmed Sri Lanka’s sovereign credit rating at Caa1, maintaining a Stable outlook citing continued progress made in restoring macro - economic stability but the investors weren’t moved by that at all. It increasingly appears that the Sri Lankan economy lacks the so - called animal spirits to lift the capital market sentiments and the broader economy which keep the investors on the sidelines.