CSE Ends Lower as Dialog Axiata and Richard Pieris Weigh on Indices
COLOMBO, September 25, 2026 — Sri Lankan equities ended the session in negative territory as selling pressure on key counters including Dialog Axiata, Richard Pieris & Company and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka weighed on the benchmark indices, while market turnover crossed Rs. 1.3 billion.
The ASPI edged lower during the session, while the S&P SL20 also closed in the red, reflecting broad weakness among selected large-cap stocks.
High-net-worth and institutional investor activity was recorded in Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, Lion Brewery and Access Engineering, while mixed investor interest was seen in CAL Five Year Optimum Fund, Dipped Products and Kotagala Plantations.
Retail participation was concentrated in counters including UB Finance Company, Tess Agro and Browns Investments.
Foreign investors ended the session as net sellers, adding to the cautious tone across the market.
Materials Sector Leads Turnover
The Materials sector emerged as the largest contributor to market turnover, driven primarily by trading activity in Dipped Products.
Despite its contribution to turnover, the sector index edged up 0.03%.
Dipped Products gained Rs. 0.50, or 0.82%, to close at Rs. 61.40.
The performance highlighted continued investor activity in selected materials-sector counters despite the broader weakness in the market.
Capital Goods Sector Also Active
The Capital Goods sector was the second-highest contributor to market turnover, supported by activity in Access Engineering and Sampath Bank.
The sector index declined 0.14%.
Access Engineering gained Rs. 0.60, or 0.75%, to close at Rs. 80.10, while Sampath Bank remained unchanged at Rs. 140.25.
Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka and CAL Five Year Optimum Fund (Units) were also among the leading contributors to turnover.
Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka advanced Rs. 2.25, or 1.46%, to close at Rs. 156.00.
In contrast, CAL Five Year Optimum Fund (Units) recorded one of the sharper price declines of the session, falling Rs. 1.80, or 12.16%, to close at Rs. 13.00.
The session reflected a mixed investment landscape, with institutional and high-net-worth participation concentrated in selected counters while retail activity remained evident across several smaller stocks.
With foreign investors continuing to record net selling and the main indices ending lower, market sentiment remained cautious as investors assessed individual corporate opportunities amid broader market uncertainty.
