News & market updates

Commercial Bank of Ceylon will roll out an integrated POS and digital payments solution across Abans PLC's network of over 400 outlets, supporting major international and domestic card schemes, QR payments and integration with Abans' ERP/SCM. The omni-channel platform also supports international QR schemes and Easy Payment Plans.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon held a Pensioners' Day in Gampaha for more than 250 pensioners, offering health checks, information and on-site applications for its Pension Loan product. Asiri Hospital ran a free medical camp and presentations covered the bank's pensioner financial facilities and repayment terms to age 74.

Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000) will roll out a POS and digital payments solution across Abans' national retail network of over 400 outlets, deploying 2,500 EMV-certified POS devices and unified acquiring across major card and QR schemes. The omni-channel system integrates with Abans' ERP/SCM, supports Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay/LankaQR and international QR schemes, and can enable Easy Payment Plans.

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO.N0000) won the Diamond Award at CMA Sri Lanka's 11th Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2025. Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) and L B Finance (LFIN.N0000) received Silver/Bronze joint awards and Talawakelle Tea Estates (TPL.N0000) was a Gold co-winner.

Colombo Bourse closed higher as ASPI rose 0.33% (75.10 pts) to 23,104.96 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.32% to 6,382.18 on turnover of Rs.3.49 billion, with foreign investors net selling Rs.40.9m. Sampath, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah, John Keells and Carson were key positive contributors while Commercial Bank and CIC rose and Melstacorp fell.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon is launching a festive card promotion offering up to 70% discounts at over 642 merchant partners from 15 November to 31 December 2025. Cardholders also get Easy Payment Plans up to 60 months and call & convert installment options, plus premium-card exclusives.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO) won the Diamond Award for the most outstanding integrated report at the 11th CMA Sri Lanka Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2025. Talawakelle Tea Estates shared the Gold award, Commercial Bank shared Silver, and Hayleys Fabric and L B Finance shared the Bronze awards.

The CSE introduced the 'GSS+ Bonds' regulatory framework in March 2025 to list green, social and sustainability bonds, and Bank of Ceylon has aligned its ESG systems and investment banking division to facilitate such issuances.

Colombo bourse closed marginally down as the ASPI fell 0.09% (21.80 pts) to 23,029.86 on turnover of over Rs. 3.8bn and net foreign outflow of Rs. 4.7m. Major negative contributors included Commercial Bank, Dialog, Colombo Dockyard, DFCC and NDB, while J.F. Packaging rose on debut.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.09% to 23,029.86 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.23% to 6,361.58 as banks and selected shares weighed on the market. Top drags included Commercial Bank (209.50), Colombo Dockyard (418.75), DFCC (162.25) and NDB (149.50); Senkadagala Finance announced a Rs1.035bn rights issue at Rs240 and its share rose to 1,274.50.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc has enabled Google Pay for its Visa cardholders, becoming the first bank in Sri Lanka to offer Google Wallet support. Cardholders can add cards to Google Wallet, authenticate via OTP or call centre verification, and use NFC-enabled Android phones for contactless payments in a phased rollout.

Eng. Prof. Ananda Jayawardane has been appointed by the Finance Ministry as an Independent Non‑Executive Director on the Bank of Ceylon board. He completed his term as Chairman of Commercial Bank in April 2024 and currently serves as a director of Prime Lands Residencies and HNB Assurance, with past links to Sierra Cables and NDB.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) has enabled Google Pay for its Visa debit and credit cardholders, becoming the first bank in Sri Lanka to offer the service. The phased rollout uses Visa Token Service with IDEMIA and Euronet infrastructure, with OTP/call-centre verification for authentication.

The Colombo market fell as investors booked profits: ASPI dropped 1.01% (236.07 pts) to 23,223.68 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.40% to 6,410.00. Turnover was over Rs.4.4bn with foreign net selling of Rs.151.8mn; CINS, SFCL, BUKI, COMB and SAMP were main negative contributors and banks led activity (19% turnover).

Colombo ASPI fell 1.01% to 23,223.68, dragged by financial and capital goods stocks with top decliners including Ceylinco Holdings, Senkadagala Finance, Bukit Darah, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank. Nations Trust Bank reported September-quarter profit up 48% to Rs 6.1bn and its stock closed higher.

Nations Trust Bank reported a 48% year-on-year rise in quarterly profit to 6.1 billion rupees for the September quarter. The bank said higher net interest income drove results and expects its agreed acquisition of HSBC’s Sri Lanka retail business (≈200,000 accounts) to fuel further growth.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) launched 'ComBank Shakthi', an agency banking network to extend banking services to underserved and rural communities. Authorized third-party agents will enable deposits, withdrawals, transfers and bill payments, integrated with the bank's Agriculture and Micro Finance Units.

Colombo market closed lower — ASPI fell 0.84% (198.24 pts) to 23,461.46 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.52% to 6,458.15. Banking dominated turnover (39%) and major laggards included SAMP, HNB, JKH, NDB and BUKI while foreign investors were net sellers of about Rs. 788.7 million.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon launched 'ComBank Shakthi' agency banking to deliver deposits, withdrawals, transfers and bill payments via authorised third‑party agents to rural and underserved communities. The pilot began at Iresha Food City in Weerawila and the service is integrated with the Bank's Agriculture and Micro Finance Units.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon group reported a net profit of Rs. 16.86 billion in 3Q 2025, up 33.4% YoY. The loan book grew 34.6% YoY to Rs. 1.91 trillion and nine-month net interest income rose to Rs. 103.48 billion, aided by an improved CASA ratio of 39.92%.

NCCSL and KPMG held a post-Budget 2026 seminar stressing fiscal discipline and a development focus, noting the VAT threshold has been lowered to Rs. 36 million per annum. Panelists highlighted priorities of digitalisation, export diversification, SME empowerment and sustained public investment.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon reported Q3 profit of 16.59 billion rupees, up 32% year-on-year, with quarterly EPS of 10.18 rupees. Nine-month profit was 47.3 billion rupees (up 52%), loans grew 25% to 1,740 billion, NIM improved to 4.53% while Tier-1 fell to 13.3%.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) posted a nine-month net profit of Rs. 48.02 Bn, up 52.27% year-on-year. The group’s loan book rose Rs. 381 Bn to Rs. 1.907 Tn (34.6% YoY) and CASA improved to 39.92%, supporting higher net interest income.

DFCC Bank reported Group profit after tax of LKR 8.53 Bn for the period ended 30 Sep 2025 and group total assets rose ~20% to LKR 853 Bn. Loans grew 26% and net interest income rose 11%; the bank launched an LKR 3 Bn Blue Bond and recorded fair value gains partly from Commercial Bank share price increases.

The ASPI closed at 23,502.59, up 0.70% (164.34 pts), crossing 23,500 for the first time on positive sentiment after the 2026 Budget. Banking names HNB, SAMP, COMB, NDB and DIAL led gains as Budget measures proposed concessional SME loan schemes and credit guarantees expected to boost loan demand.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.7% on Monday, led by financial shares as the ASPI gained 164.34 points to 23,502.59. Top contributors from the shortlist included HNB, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and NDB, while construction names like Access Engineering and Kelani Cables also gained and John Keells reported a 21% quarterly profit rise.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run its 11.11 Biggest Sale from Nov 10 (8:00pm) to Nov 21 with discounts up to 90%, Rs.120 million in vouchers and sitewide flash deals. Participating banks (NTB, HNB, NDB, Commercial Bank, Sampath, DFCC, Pan Asia) and brands including Hayleys will offer additional partner discounts and instalment options.

Colombo bourse rose on Budget optimism as ASPI gained 0.98% (225 pts) and S&P SL20 rose 1.13%; banking led activity (23% of turnover) and key positive contributors included SFCL, COMB, SAMP, HNB and VONE, with DFCC, LAUGFS and Bogala among high-turnover winners.