The ASPI fell 0.81% on trading that was more than double recent levels, while government securities yields and the rupee barely moved.
Key Highlights
- The ASPI fell 168 points (0.81%) to 20,644.
- Turnover reached LKR 3.16 billion, more than double recent levels.
- Foreign investors were net sellers by LKR 112 million.
- Government securities yields were broadly unchanged.
- Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate rose to 4% in the second quarter.
Stock Market Summary
Colombo equities ended lower on Monday. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) lost 168 points, or 0.81%, to close at 20,644, and the S&P SL20 dropped 36 points, or 0.62%, to 5,847. Market capitalisation slipped 0.9% to LKR 7.47 trillion.
Trading was far heavier than in recent sessions. Turnover of LKR 3.16 billion was up 262% from the previous session, and 67.6 million shares changed hands. The activity was concentrated. AEL alone accounted for LKR 1.45 billion, about 46% of the day’s turnover. Capital goods stocks made up 54% of the total, while the energy and food, beverage and tobacco sectors together contributed 24%.
Foreign investors sold LKR 145 million of shares and bought LKR 33 million, a net outflow of LKR 112 million. NDB recorded the largest net foreign selling at LKR 60 million. Net foreign outflows now stand at LKR 346.9 million for the month and LKR 57.6 billion for the year to date.
Fixed Income Summary
Secondary market yields were largely unchanged, with limited trading across maturities. Bonds maturing in 2030 traded between 11.15% and 11.25%, while the October 2034 bond traded at 12.00%. At the Treasury bill auction held on September 30, the 91-day, 184-day and 364-day yields stood at 9.25%, 9.41% and 9.95%, up between 2 and 5 basis points.
Currency Market Update
The rupee was essentially flat at LKR 330.60 per US dollar, compared with LKR 330.62 earlier.
Economic Data
The Department of Census and Statistics reported that the unemployment rate rose to 4% in the second quarter of 2026, up 0.2 percentage points from a year earlier and 0.3 points from the previous quarter. An estimated 340,240 people were unemployed. The rate was 6.1% for women and 2.8% for men.
Business Impact
Stable yields and a steady rupee mean no immediate change in short-term borrowing costs or in import and export pricing. The widening gap between female and male unemployment is relevant to employers planning recruitment. Continued foreign selling is worth tracking for companies that depend on equity market sentiment for fundraising.
What to Watch Next
- Whether turnover stays elevated or returns to recent levels.
- Foreign investor flows, after a month-to-date net outflow of LKR 346.9 million.
- Results of the next Treasury bill auction, for any shift in short-term rates.
- Central Bank liquidity data, which had not been published at the time of reporting.
Key Numbers
| Indicator | Level | Change |
|---|---|---|
| ASPI | 20,644 | -168 pts (-0.81%) |
| S&P SL20 | 5,847 | -36 pts (-0.62%) |
| Turnover | LKR 3.16 bn | +262% day-on-day |
| Shares traded | 67.6 mn | +126% day-on-day |
| Market capitalisation | LKR 7.47 tn | -0.9% |
| Net foreign flow (day) | -LKR 112 mn | Net outflow |
| Net foreign flow (year to date) | -LKR 57.6 bn | Net outflow |
| 91-day T-bill (Sep 30 auction) | 9.25% | +5 bps |
| 364-day T-bill (Sep 30 auction) | 9.95% | +2 bps |
| USD/LKR | 330.60 | vs 330.62 earlier |
| Unemployment rate (Q2 2026) | 4.0% | +0.2 pts YoY |
Source: Colombo Stock Exchange market data, Central Bank of Sri Lanka statistics, Department of Census and Statistics and publicly available market information.