Business
Stocks close sharply lower, most sectors witness declines
by Hiran H.Senewiratne
Trading activities at the CSE was bearish yesterday as most of the investors had pursued profit taking from all time high share prices during the recent trading days.
“As US dollar rate moved up to Rs. 220 to 230 level, most of the export oriented companies’ share price appreciated considerably within those days. However, the Central Bank’s unofficial peg on the rupee rate to the dollar at a fixed rate of Rs 203 for commercial banks triggered concerns among investors”, stock market analysts said.
Local banks quoted rates of Rs197/203 to the US dollar on Tuesday, stronger from around 226/233 to the US dollar a day earlier, following an official request, financial sources said.
Sri Lanka has no interbank spot market to establish a rupee/dollar price and foreign exchange is matched within banks and in an over-the-counter market.
The rupee had fallen to around 238 to the US dollar Monday, in the OTC market, financial sources said despite attempts by a group of banks to stabilize it at around 230 to the US dollar.
Due to that, share prices especially in export related companies witnessed a slight negative impact on those stock markets, analysts said.
Despite intermittent recovery the stock market closed sharply lower due to profit taking as well as concerns over currency instability amidst high turnover.
All Share Price Index was down by 263 points and S and P SL20 down by 79.4 points. Turnover stood at Rs 10.4 billion with a single crossing. The crossing was reported in HNB (Non Voting), which crossed 4.5 million shares to the tune of Rs 590 and its share price traded at Rs 130.
In the retail market top five companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were Expolanka Holdings Rs 3.67 billion (21.1 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 2.1 billion (227 million shares traded), LOLC Holdings Rs 619 million (1.1 million shares traded), Hayleys Rs 508 million (4.8 million shares traded) and Dipped Products Rs 339 million (5.7 million shares traded). During the day 489 million share volume changed hands in 61,510 transactions.
In the meantime, Acme Printing and Packaging Holdings’s second largest shareholder Richardson Holdings Limited sold their entire stake to E.B Creasy and company for a Rs 86 million consideration. Richardson Holdings held 19.4 percent stakes which sold eight million shares at a share price of Rs 12 to E.B Creasy company. It is said that high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in HNB nonvoting, ACME Printing and Packaging and Vallibel Power Erathna.
Mixed interest was observed in Expolanka Holdings, LOLC Holdings and Royal Ceramics, whilst retail interest was noted in Browns Investments, SMB Leasing – voting and nonvoting.
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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