Sri Lanka stocks surge nearly 3-pct as US election boost drives investor return

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed sharply higher on Thursday, CSE data showed, with the benchmark All Share Price Index surging 2.87 percent.

The ASPI was up 589.18 points at 21,130.30, while the more liquid S&P SL20 was up 3.89 percent, or 226.89 points, at 6,061.98.

“The upward trend that began yesterday, following the US midterm elections and the Democratic Party’s victory, continued into today’s trading session, with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Price Index (ASPI) recording a cumulative gain of approximately 589 points,” said Dewangi De Silva, Assistant Manager, Research at NDB Securities.

“The positive election outcome appears to have contributed to improving overall investor sentiment, triggering renewed buying interest across the market. Investors have started returning with renewed confidence and actively accumulating shares across several counters, resulting in increased market participation and trading activity,” she added.

Positive contributors to the ASPI were Overseas Realty (Ceylon) (up 7.82 percent at 53.80 rupees), LOLC Holdings (up 6.93 percent at 401.25 rupees), Dialog Axiata (up 3.78 percent at 46.70 rupees), Hayleys (up 3.28 percent at 228.50 rupees), and Commercial Bank of Ceylon (up 2.36 percent at 206.25 rupees).

Agarapatana Plantations (down 7.80 percent at 13.00 rupees), Ceylinco Holdings (down 2.02 percent at 2,841.00 rupees), First Capital Treasuries (down 1.60 percent at 24.60 rupees), and Ceylon Tobacco Company (down 0.25 percent at 1,786.75 rupees) were top negative contributors.

Market turnover was 5.43 billion rupees. The S&P/CSE Banks Industry Group Index led turnover with 1.10 billion rupees.

Several crossings were recorded during the day, led by Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) (223.08 million rupees), Cargills Bank (202.06 million rupees), Royal Ceramics Lanka (119.58 million rupees), and DFCC Bank (97.50 million rupees). Other notable crossings included Tokyo Cement non-voting (66.84 million rupees), Overseas Realty (58.18 million rupees), Tokyo Cement voting (55.45 million rupees), CIC Holdings (48.78 million rupees), LB Finance (46.20 million rupees), Sampath Bank (43.80 million rupees), Hatton National Bank (39.00 million rupees), People’s Leasing & Finance (35.60 million rupees), and Sierra Cables (23.71 million rupees).

In corporate developments, Fitch Ratings revised Sri Lanka Telecom PLC’s (SLT) National Long-Term Rating to ‘AA+(lka)’ from ‘AA-(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook, following the recalibration of the Sri Lankan National Rating scale. Fitch noted that the Rating Watch Positive was resolved following the government’s decision not to proceed with SLT’s divestment, with the company’s standalone credit profile supported by its market leadership in fixed broadband and extensive fibre network. (Colombo/Nov05/2026)