News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, with the ASPI rising 0.97% to 23,520, led by Wealth Trust's strong debut and gains in bank stocks. Top contributors included HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC and Central Finance, with turnover at LKR 12.32 billion.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon launched the UnionPay SplendorPlus credit card, offering a guaranteed 1% cash rebate on eligible purchases in mainland China (rebates capped to CNY 600) during a promotional period through 31 December 2026. The premium card also includes hotel, e‑commerce and airport lounge privileges for outbound travellers.

Colombo market rose for a ninth straight session as the ASPI gained 1.21% to 23,292.91, with market turnover about Rs. 6.6bn; banking counters led activity and top positive contributors included HNB, COMB, JKH, NDB and SAMP.

Colombo stocks rose as the ASPI gained 1.21% to 23,292.91 and the S&P SL20 hit a six-week high of 6,379.11, led by gains in HNB, Commercial Bank, John Keells, NDB, Sampath Bank and Lanka IOC.

CT Smith said the Colombo bourse hit record highs in 2025, with the ASPI up 42% YoY to 22,624 and the S&P SL20 up 27% YoY to 6,157. Net foreign outflow was Rs. 38,563mn, average daily turnover rose to Rs. 5,181mn, with net foreign buying in DIAL, PKME and RICH and selling in JKH, CTHR and HNB.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) will fund the complete revamp of the Disaster Management Centre’s RiskInfo Spatial Data Portal to strengthen national disaster preparedness. The upgrade aims to improve data access and interoperability to support disaster risk management and banking-sector risk assessments.

Colombo market rose as the ASPI gained 0.66% (150.67 pts) to 23,014.75, with market value up Rs.58.89 billion and turnover ~Rs.5.8 billion. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, ACL Cables, Dipped Products, Carson Cumberbatch, LOLC and Sampath, and foreigners were net buyers (~Rs.87.8m).

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.66% as the ASPI closed 150.67 points higher at 23,014.75. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, Carson Cumberbatch, ACL Cables, LOLC and Sampath Bank; turnover rose to 5.7 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 87 million rupees.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) is funding a complete revamp of the Disaster Management Centre’s RiskInfo Spatial Data Portal to strengthen national disaster preparedness and risk-data capabilities. The bank says the upgrade will improve system architecture, visualisation and data-sharing to support climate‑resilient lending and risk management.

Sri Lanka's Colombo Stock Exchange rose on the first trading day of 2026, with the All Share Price Index up 1.26% to 22,910.46 and the S&P SL20 up 0.63% to 6,195.95 on turnover of 5.1 billion rupees. Top contributors included ACL Cables, Commercial Bank, Access Engineering and DFCC Bank, with construction and bank shares drawing investor interest as reconstruction followed Cyclone Ditwah.

Government will launch a concessionary pledge loan scheme from 1 Jan to help SME paddy millers access loans up to Rs.50 million at 7% for 180 days. Fifteen banks will participate, including COMB.N0000, HNB.N0000, SAMP.N0000, DFCC.N0000, NDB.N0000, NTB.N0000, ABL.N0000, CBNK.N0000 and PABC.N0000; total disbursements ~Rs.10bn.

Aggregate profits of 273 listed companies fell 12% YoY to Rs.176.5 billion in Sep-25, ending a seven-quarter growth streak. Banks (Rs.52bn, +39% YoY) and diversified financials (Rs.39bn, +112% YoY) underpinned a QoQ rebound, while food, beverage & tobacco and capital goods posted steep declines.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has partnered with Mastercard to launch Sri Lanka's first Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) for online payments via the Mastercard Payment Gateway Services. The service lets international cardholders pay in their home currency at checkout, targeting travel, hospitality and e-commerce merchants.

The Colombo stock market gained Rs.84 billion as the ASPI rose 1.42% to 22,445.89. Top contributors included Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp, Hatton National Bank, Richard Pieris and Commercial Bank, with capital goods, banking and materials driving turnover and hotel stocks seeing buying interest.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 1.49% as the ASPI closed 313.56 points higher at 22,445.89, led by gains in Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp, HNB and Commercial Bank. Market turnover fell to 3.4 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 36.73 million rupees, led by John Keells.

Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000) and Mastercard have launched Sri Lanka’s first online Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) via the Mastercard Payment Gateway Services, letting international cardholders pay in their home currency at checkout; the solution is delivered with FEXCO and Euronet for real-time conversion and processing.

Commercial Development Company PLC has appointed Chinthaka Dharmasena as a Non-Executive Director. Dharmasena is Assistant General Manager – Services at Commercial Bank and led sustainability initiatives, including the bank’s carbon-neutral operational status.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened mixed: ASPI rose 0.29% to 22,132.33 while the S&P SL20 slipped 0.06% to 6,037.79 on turnover of about Rs. 3.7bn and net foreign outflows of Rs. 200.5m. Colombo Dockyard, DFCC and Richard Pieris led gains while John Keells and Commercial Bank fell.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon signed an MoU with Colonial Motors to run a joint promotional campaign to facilitate Mazda purchases via the Bank’s leasing solutions until 30 November 2026. The bank will offer attractive interest rates and flexible leasing while Colonial Motors provides Rs.150,000 off, free registration, seven labour-free services and 15% spare parts discount for first owners.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon committed over Rs. 125 million (including a Rs. 110 million donation to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund) for Cyclone Ditwah recovery. The bank also donated dry rations to 5,000+ families, supported business recovery measures and sponsored a revamp of the RiskInfo Spatial Data Portal.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon committed over Rs.125 million to Cyclone Ditwah recovery, including a Rs.110 million donation to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund. The bank also donated dry rations to 5,000+ families, provided business recovery assistance, sponsored a disaster-risk data portal revamp and supported school clean-ups and supplies.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run a Jingle Sale from Dec 19–31 offering free delivery, up to 85% off and Rs. 80 million in vouchers. Customers can unlock extra savings (up to 15%) with select banks including Commercial Bank, Sampath, NDB, Nations Trust and via LOLC's KOKO BNPL (up to 12%).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower with the ASPI down 0.64% (143.48 points) at 22,149 and turnover Rs 3.45bn; Commercial Bank, Lion Brewery, Carson Cumberbatch and Ceylon Grain Elevators led gains while Dockyard weighed on the index.

Aitken Spence PLC's Conventions & Exhibitions unit inaugurated the 40th Colombo Shopping Festival at BMICH, running until 21 December with over 250 local entrepreneurs participating. Commercial Bank of Ceylon is the official banking partner and ticket proceeds will support families affected by recent disasters.

CBC Finance Ltd., a subsidiary of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, raised Rs. 1.5 billion on 27 November 2025 via an oversubscribed issue of 15 million five-year listed unsecured subordinated debentures at a fixed 11.50% p.a. (rated "BBB+(lka)" by Fitch Ratings Lanka).

Commercial Bank of Ceylon signed an MoU with Overseas Realty to offer tailored home loans covering up to 100% of the purchase price for buyers of Mireka Seascape. Mireka Seascape is a 168-unit beachfront residential development in Dodanduwa.

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI slipped 0.02% to 22,329.69 with turnover of Rs. 3.32 billion; top negatives were Commercial Bank, DFCC, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah and John Keells while Carson Cumberbatch, Browns Investments and LOLC Finance provided support.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed 0.02% lower as the ASPI slipped to 22,329.69, with banks and capital-goods names dragging the market. LOLC Finance filed to list Rs 15bn of debentures; turnover rose to Rs 3.3bn and net foreign outflow was Rs 130.44m.

Colombo market recovered as the ASPI rose 0.17% (38.48 pts) to 22,333.25 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.31% to 6,071.12. Turnover was Rs 2.85bn on ~77.2m shares with foreign net outflows of Rs 42.8m; top contributors included DOCK, COMB, SAMP, MELS and DFCC.

Colombo Dockyard and several financials lifted the Colombo Stock Exchange 0.17% as the ASPI closed at 22,333.25. Market turnover rose to LKR 2.8bn with a net foreign outflow of LKR 42.76m; Lanka IOC had crossings of LKR 92.25m and Capital Alliance led turnover.