Indices rise despite declining turnover in April

The Colombo Bourse closed positively in April 2026, with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) increasing by +7.0% MoM to 22,550 points. Meanwhile, the more liquid S&P SL20 index increased by +5.1% MoM to 6,208 points. Average daily turnover declined to Rs.3,655mn in April 2026 (vs. Rs.4,705mn in March 2026).

Top contributors to market turnover in April 2026 were John Keells Holdings (JKH: Rs.3,730mn, 187.3mn shares) and Janashakthi Limited (JXG: Rs.2,137mn, 151.5mn shares) and National Development Bank (NDB: Rs.2,135mn, 19.1mn shares, collectively accounting for ~12.2% of the total market turnover during the month.

Net foreign outflow of Rs.5,331mn was recorded in April 2026. Foreign participation accounted for 7.7% of market turnover during the month says CT Smith Securities (PVT) Ltd.

During April 2026, net foreign buying was seen in Lanka IOC (LIOC: Rs.219mn), Colombo Land and Development (CLND: Rs.153.5mn) and Elpitiya Plantations (ELPL: Rs.121.5mn). Meanwhile, notable net foreign selling was recorded in Softlogic Life Insurance (AAIC: Rs.1,223.2mn), National Development Bank (NDB: Rs.1,055.8mn) and Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC: Rs.966.5mn).