News & market updates

ASPI fell 0.23% (41 points) to 18,000 as profit-taking weighed on the Colombo market, led by declines in HAYL, CTHR, DOCK, GRAN and SAMP. Turnover was Rs.5.6bn with capital goods (notably JKH, AEL) and banking among top contributors; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.48.3m.

Government launches a Rs.6.5 billion concessionary loan scheme (1–15 Nov 2025) offering up to Rs.50 million per borrower at 7% interest to SME paddy millers and cooperatives to stabilise paddy prices; 15 state and private banks, including HNB, COMB, SAMP, DFCC, NDB, NTB, ABL, SEYB, CBNK and PABC, will disburse the funds.

Cargills Bank marked its 11th anniversary on 30 June, highlighting growth to 26 branches and over 530 agency banking points, expanded digital and remittance platforms, recent technology awards, and a stated strong capital position.

ASPI rose 138 points (0.8%) to 17,353 as the CSE extended its rally on turnover of Rs.7.37bn, led by heavy trading in CDB and CFIN; notable price gains were seen in CDB, CFIN, CTC, HHL, CIC and SUN, while SPEN topped net foreign buying and PKME topped net foreign selling.

ASPI rose 234 points (1.4%) to 17,214 on turnover of Rs.7.37bn, led by banking stocks with HNB, SAMP and COMB among top contributors. Turnover was 72% above the monthly average and foreigners recorded a net outflow of about Rs.273.6m.

Hatton National Bank saw a 9.99% stake divestment (45.9m shares) by Browns Investments via nine off‑board trades at Rs.305, driving turnover to Rs.18.7bn and lifting the ASPI ~1%. Banking counters led gains and accounted for 81% of turnover, with broad buying across banks and select FMCG names.

IBM will collaborate with Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC to modernise the bank’s digital infrastructure and deliver faster, more secure banking services across Sri Lanka. IBM also expressed support for Sri Lanka’s 2030 digital strategy and highlighted new hybrid AI technologies to scale enterprise AI.

Colombo bourse closed the shortened week with the ASPI up 2.9% and S&P SL20 up 3.5%, average daily turnover Rs.3.67bn, led by gains in JKH, LOLC, CARS, EBCR and SAMP; foreigners recorded a net inflow of Rs.157.2m.

Cargills Bank posted profit after tax of Rs. 162 million for Q1 2025, up Rs. 116 million year-on-year. Net interest income and fees rose, CAR was 19.49% and total assets reached Rs. 82.3 billion while NIM fell to 4.31% and deposits dropped 5%.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka launched the Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 on 05 May 2025, setting prioritized actions for 2025–2029 to strengthen ESG risk management and finance sustainable development across banks, non‑bank financial institutions, capital markets and insurance. The roadmap was developed with IFC and EU support.

The SEC, with ADB technical support, released a regulatory framework enabling issuance and trading of Green, Blue, Social and Sustainability‑Linked (GSS+) bonds on the Colombo Stock Exchange, allowing sovereigns and corporates to raise capital for environmental and social projects.

The Trade Finance Association of Bankers held its 28th AGM on 19 February and re‑elected Shyam De Silva of Hatton National Bank as President; the body unveiled a new Vision/Mission and emphasised digital innovation, industry collaboration, global standards and professional development in trade finance.

Cargills Bank said it engaged cyber security experts and law enforcement after a cyber security incident and that there was no breach of core banking systems or customer accounts and operations remain uninterrupted. The bank notified regulators, initiated legal action and strengthened security.

Cargills Bank said a cybersecurity breach leaked sensitive customer information and urged the public not to share compromised data. The bank has sought a preventive court order, engaged local and international cybersecurity experts and is coordinating with law enforcement.

Cargills Bank PLC filed legal action and the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered the TRCSL to block websites and social media accounts publishing illegally obtained Cargills Bank data (conditional order dated 4 April 2025); the matter is returnable on 21 April 2025.

Cargills Bank PLC said an unauthorized party claimed to have accessed and published certain bank data, and the bank issued a statement on the incident while reassuring customers that its core banking operations remain fully secure and functional.

Cargills Bank said an unauthorised party accessed and published some of its data; the bank has engaged international cyber specialists, is cooperating with authorities and says core operations and banking services remain secure and functional.

Cargills (Ceylon) PLC held the 32nd Village to Home event on 22–23 March to showcase SMEs, offering free monthly stalls and potential supplier listings across 540 Food City locations. Cargills covers event costs, has assisted over 1,300 small businesses, and Cargills Bank provides accounts, loans and financial training to participants.

Cargills Bank (CBNK.N0000) said it detected and successfully countered a cybersecurity event involving unauthorized access to a peripheral system and has strengthened its infrastructure. There were no disruptions to banking operations and the bank engaged external cybersecurity experts to assess and mitigate the threat.

Cargills Bank (CBNK.N0000) identified unauthorized access to a peripheral system, said it isolated affected components and engaged cybersecurity experts, and reported no disruption to its banking operations.

Cargills Bank (CBNK.N0000) reported PAT of Rs. 651m for 2024, up 48% YoY, and PBT of Rs. 1,150m (58% growth). The bank said capital and liquidity were strong (Total CAR 22.44%; LCR 313.34%; NSFR 136.28%), with total assets up 15% to Rs. 80.3bn and loans up 14%.

PMF Finance PLC has secured funding support from Cargills Bank to bolster its financial position and expand lending to small and medium enterprises. Cargills Bank's backing signals confidence in PMF Finance's operations and long-term growth plans.

PMF Finance PLC secured funding support from Cargills Bank to strengthen its financial position and expand SME lending. The partnership is aimed at providing tailored financial solutions to small and medium enterprises to support growth and financial inclusion.

Cargills Bank launched “Tapit”, Sri Lanka’s first contactless sticker payment solution in partnership with Mastercard. The NFC-enabled adhesive sticker uses EMV chip encryption and offers instant payments with real-time SMS alerts.

Cargills Bank launched 'Tapit', Sri Lanka’s first contactless NFC payment sticker in partnership with Mastercard, offering instant payments with real-time SMS alerts. The Tapit stickers are available to Cargills Bank Mastercard cardholders at bank branches.