Business
CSE changes tick size applicable to equity securities; LOLC drives bourse
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The CSE Board of Directors decided to change the tick size applicable to equity securities traded on the Automated Trading System (ATS). The necessary rule changes have been carried out by the CSE to facilitate this change with the approval of the Securities & Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC).
The change to the tick size will be in effect from the opening of trading today. To facilitate this change, the CSE was to cancel all pending orders at the ATS at end of trading on January 7. Additionally, the open auction call on January 8 has been extended from 10.15 am. to 11.00 am. to provide adequate time for orders to be placed on the system.
Amid those developments the stock market was driven by the LOLC Group, which contributed 65 points to the All Share Price Index. It is said that both indices showed mixed reactions. All Share Price Index went up by 64.67 points and S and P SL20 declined by 6.84 points. The turnover stood at Rs. 9.14 billion with five crossings. Those crossings were reported in BPPL Holdings, which crossed 80.5 million shares to the tune of Rs. 1.29 billion and its share traded at Rs 16, JKH 1.69 million shares crossed for Rs 250.3 million, its shares trading at Rs. 148.50. Hemas Holdings 500,000 shares crossed for Rs. 47.5 million with its shares trading at Rs. 95, Sierra Cables five million shares crossed for Rs. 32.3 million; its shares trading at Rs. 6.50 and Commercial Bank 300,000 shares crossed for Rs. 24.9 million with its shares trading at Rs. 83.
In the retail market top five contributing companies to the trading were, Browns Investments Rs. 4.07 billion (1.612 million shares traded), LOLC Rs. 454.3 million (three million shares traded), Expolanka Rs. 390 million (12.6 million shares traded), Vallibel One Rs. 204 million (six million shares traded), and Hemas Holdings Rs. 147.5 million (1.55 million shares traded). During the day1.04 billion share volumes changed hands in 43490 transactions.
When one takes stock of the situation in the CSE, one would find that the market was driven by LOLC Group, especially Browns Investments, whose shares moved up by Rs. 1.10 or 19 percent. Its shares started trading at Rs. 5.70 and at the end of the day it moved up to Rs. 6.80. Browns Investments contributed 36 points to the All Share Price Index. LOLC contributed 12 points to the All Share Price Index. Its shares moved up by Rs. 11.30 or 7.7 percent. Its shares started trading at Rs. 146.70 and at the end of the day it shot up to Rs. 158.
LOLC Finance contributed 8 points to the All Share Price Index. Its shares moved up by 19 percent or 70 cents. LOLC Finance shares started trading at Rs. 3.70 and at the end of the day it moved to Rs. 4.40 and Brown and Company contributed 8 points to the All Share Price Index. Its shares appreciated by 15 percent or Rs. 17.70. Its shares started trading at Rs. 120.60 and at the end of the day it moved to Rs. 138.50.
The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) crossed 7000 points level yesterday for the first time since November 24 2015 closing the trading day on 7,036.76 points, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) said in a statement.
Sri Lanka rupee closed flat at 185.10/184.90 in the spot next market against the US dollar yesterday, while bond yields eased slightly on buying pressure and the Rs. 40 billion weekly bills auction was fully subscribed.
Rupee closed at 191.25/192.00 to the US dollar on the previous day.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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