Sri Lanka stock market momentum strengthened at the start of the week as major indices closed in positive territory. Gains across several blue-chip counters supported investor sentiment, while turnover exceeded expectations on renewed institutional activity.
Sri Lanka stock market opens the week with broad gains across key sectors
Sri Lanka stock market trading began the new week with renewed optimism as both major indices closed in positive territory, reflecting steady buying interest across several high-value counters. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) ended the session in green, benefiting from notable price gains in Colombo Dockyard, Richard Pieris & Company, and Sampath Bank. The uplift in these counters, combined with stronger institutional participation, helped push turnover beyond Rs. 2.8 billion, marking one of the more active sessions in recent weeks.
The S&P SL20 also edged upward, supported by improved performance among its constituent stocks. Market analysts noted that the session’s tone was shaped largely by high net-worth and institutional investors who concentrated their interest on Hemas Holdings, Tokyo Cement Company, and Hatton National Bank. This pattern is consistent with recent trading sessions, where larger funds have taken a more prominent role in driving market direction. In contrast, mixed interest was observed in counters such as Colombo Dockyard, Sampath Bank, and Access Engineering, signaling varied short-term expectations within the investor community. Retail participation, although less dominant, remained visible through activity in SMB Leasing, Co-Operative Insurance Company, and Waskaduwa Beach Resort.
Foreign participation remained subdued, maintaining a trend that has defined the past several weeks. Nevertheless, foreign investors closed the day as net buyers, indicating selective interest in undervalued or strategically promising opportunities. While overall foreign volume was limited, net buying is generally regarded as a positive indicator for medium-term market sentiment.
Sectoral performance provided further insight into the dynamics that shaped the trading day. The Capital Goods sector emerged as the top contributor to market turnover, powered by strong participation in Hemas Holdings, Colombo Dockyard, and Access Engineering. The sector index rose by 0.66 percent, reflecting sustained confidence in operational resilience and upcoming expansion prospects. Hemas Holdings saw its share price increase by Rs. 0.60, or 1.75 percent, closing at Rs. 34.80, supported by consistent interest from institutional investors. Colombo Dockyard delivered one of the day’s standout performances, climbing by Rs. 15.25, or 12.30 percent, to close at Rs. 139.25. Access Engineering also recorded an appreciation, gaining Rs. 0.80, or 1.12 percent, to finish at Rs. 72.00.
The Banking sector followed as the second-largest contributor to market turnover. Hatton National Bank played a central role in driving sectoral activity, though its share price edged down by Rs. 2.00, or 0.52 percent, to close at Rs. 384.75. Despite the slight decline, the sector index advanced by 0.11 percent, supported by broader interest in financial stocks and the stability of the day’s overall market movement. Investor sentiment in the banking sector has remained moderately positive, influenced by expectations around credit growth, profitability indicators, and macroeconomic developments.
Tokyo Cement Company also ranked among the top turnover contributors, supported by sustained interest from institutional and long-term investors. The counter gained Rs. 3.00, or 3.03 percent, to close at Rs. 102.00. Analysts attributed the uptick to strengthened construction demand, competitive cost structures, and confidence in the sector’s medium-term growth trajectory. The company’s performance further contributed to the upbeat sentiment that shaped the broader market environment.
Market observers noted that the day’s performance underscored the resilience of the Sri Lanka stock market as it responded to sector-specific strengths, investor repositioning, and improved turnover momentum. While foreign inflows remain limited, domestic investor activity—particularly from larger institutional portfolios—continues to provide backbone support for price stability and upward movement. The spread of gains across sectors such as Capital Goods, Banking, and Manufacturing reflects balanced interest and a multifaceted investment landscape.
As the week unfolds, traders are likely to track global economic cues, local policy developments, and sector-driven earnings expectations. The positive start suggests that investor sentiment is gradually strengthening, with market participants positioning strategically for potential improvements in liquidity, corporate performance, and macroeconomic stability. For both retail and institutional investors, today’s session offered a constructive signal of confidence and resilience in the early stages of the week.