News & market updates

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) reported Group assets of Rs. 3.13 trillion and Bank assets of Rs. 3.03 trillion at June 30, 2025, becoming the first private bank to surpass Rs. 3 trillion; group net profit for six months rose 64.90% to Rs. 31.17 billion. Loans grew to Rs. 1.731 trillion and deposits surpassed Rs. 2.51 trillion.

Sri Lanka's central bank swaps rose to $3,870m while net foreign reserves after swaps fell to $2,210m by June. Analysts warn buy-sell swaps create contingent liabilities and heighten forex risk as recent rate cuts have reduced reserve accumulation, weighing on banks' FX exposure.

Commercial Bank PLC appointed Romani Parakrama as an Independent/Non-Executive Director. Parakrama brings over 27 years of corporate and retail banking experience and is also an independent non-executive director of Vallibel One PLC.

CSE director Ray Abeywardena said Sri Lanka's exchange rate stability is providing investor confidence and predictability. He credited prudent policy, improved external sector performance and steady foreign investment and tourism receipts for the stability.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) was ranked 931st in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks 2025, marking its 13th appearance on the list. It is the highest-ranked private sector bank in Sri Lanka and remains the largest private lender with a wide international footprint.

ASPI rose 96.45 points (0.49%) to close at 19,923 as the CSE opened with mixed sentiment; foreigners were net sellers with a net outflow of Rs.117.2m. Banking led turnover (25%) while Capital Goods and Diversified Financials together contributed 28% of turnover.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.49% to 19,923.02, led by buying in bank counters—mainly Commercial Bank and HNB—while the S&P SL20 edged down to 5,824.91. Notable movers included C T Holdings, Ceylinco, Carson and Dialog higher, with John Keells and Overseas Realty weaker; turnover fell to Rs 3.1bn.

DFCC Bank reported group PAT of Rs.5,747m and bank PAT of Rs.10.5bn (including a disposal gain) for 1H 2025, with loans up 19% and net interest income up 11%. Total assets rose ~11% to Rs.788bn, CAR ~15.00%, CASA 26.54%, and the bank launched an Islamic banking proposition.

Commercial Bank's Rs.15 billion Green Bond issue was oversubscribed, attracting 160 applications worth Rs.21.3 billion. The Basel III-compliant Tier-2 bonds (5/7/10 year) will boost the bank's Tier-2 capital and fund green projects.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has partnered with Lead Pro Education to offer student loans financing up to 75% of course fees (maximum Rs 10 million) with up to two years' repayment grace, 50% off documentation charges and a 50% discount on the first TT fee.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon was ranked the second most valuable brand in Sri Lanka and the most valuable private sector bank by Brand Finance for 2025, with a brand value of Rs. 46.6 billion and a Brand Strength Index of 86.3 (AAA).

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) posted Bank PAT of LKR 10.5 Bn for H1 2025 (including a disposal gain) and grew its loan book 19% year-to-date. Net interest income rose 11% and CASA improved to 26.54% while equity fair value gains included a rise in Commercial Bank's share price.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run its 8.8 Brand Prix Sale from 8–15 Aug with over 18,000 deals, brand launches and bank payment discounts (up to 15%) and Daraz vouchers (up to 9%) to drive consumer purchases. Major FMCG and electronics brands, plus partner banks, are participating.

Daraz Sri Lanka is running the 8.8 Brand Prix Sale from 8–15 Aug with over 18,000 deals, bank partner discounts (Commercial, DFCC, HNB, NTB, Sampath) and brand participants including Singer, plus exclusive launches and vouchers across Daraz Mall.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc (COMB.N0000) issued a Rs. 15 billion debut green bond, oversubscribed on opening day, to finance renewable energy and other sustainable projects with technical support from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).

ASPI fell 0.34% to 19,718 as profit-taking and net foreign outflows of Rs.145.4m weighed on the Colombo bourse; turnover was Rs.3.3bn, led by capital goods and banking stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 0.34% (68.23 pts) as selling pressure on John Keells Holdings and profit taking in diversified financials weighed on the market; JKH, Melstacorp, DFCC, Vallibel One and Commercial Bank were top negatives while Hatton National Bank gained.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC said investors oversubscribed its Rs.15 billion Green Bond issue on opening day; the offer comprised an initial Rs.10 billion Basel III-compliant Tier 2 issue with an option to issue up to a further Rs.5 billion. The bonds are Fitch-rated A(lka) and were offered to qualified investors across three tenures.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon's wholly owned subsidiary, Commercial Insurance Brokers (CIBL), unveiled a refreshed brand identity and new logo. The rebrand, launched in June 2025, aligns CIBL with the bank's group branding and emphasises multi-channel accessibility and customer-centric brokerage services.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.64% to 19,786.23 after earlier crossing the 20,000 mark, with turnover sliding to LKR 4.5bn. Banking counters saw buying while large caps including ACL Cables, Melstacorp, Hayleys and Central Finance weighed on the index.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon's Rs.15 billion Green Bond issue was oversubscribed on opening day (4 Aug 2025) after a Rs.10bn initial Basel III-compliant Tier-2 offering with an option for a further Rs.5bn; bonds rated A (lka) by Fitch. For the three months to 31 Mar 2025 the group reported PBT Rs.22.557bn and PAT Rs.14.972bn, with total assets of Rs.2.999tn.

Sri Lanka’s central bank sold 231.9 billion rupees (~$770m) of foreign exchange to the government unsterilized in H1 2025, reducing banking-system liquidity. The operations are likely to tighten liquidity and put upward pressure on interbank rates.

Brand Finance published Sri Lanka's 100 Most Valuable Brands for 2025, ranking Bank of Ceylon top with a brand value of Rs.57,411m; Commercial Bank, Dialog and People’s Bank follow the top positions. The list covers firms across banking, telecoms, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality and other sectors.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Sathosa Motors PLC launched a nationwide partnership to offer leasing on Isuzu vehicles, with Sathosa giving Rs 50,000 off trucks and Rs 100,000 off cabs plus three complimentary services; campaign runs until 31 March 2026. Commercial Bank will provide tailored leasing packages with competitive rates and flexible repayments through its branch network.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon was ranked 931st in The Banker's 2025 Top 1000 World Banks, its 13th appearance and the highest-ranked private sector bank in Sri Lanka.

ASPI rose to a record 19,914 (+1.38%, +272 pts) as investor confidence from a favourable US tariff ruling and strong interim results lifted the market. Banking and materials led turnover, with HNB, JKH, COMB, DFCC, NDB, PABC, DIPD, PKME, CBNK and COOP among the top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose after a US tariff reduction, with the ASPI up 1.38% to 19,914.25 and the S&P SL20 up 2.34% to 5,897.09; banks and diversified financials led gains. Top contributors included HNB, John Keells, Commercial Bank, DFCC and NDB, while exporters such as Dipped Products and Hayleys Fabric also advanced.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 271.77 points to a record 19,914.25 (1.38%), while the S&P SL20 gained 132.58 points to 5,894.75 (2.30%). Turnover was Rs. 7.37 billion with blue-chips HNB, JKH, COMB, DFCC and NDB the top contributors to the rally.

Brand Finance values Sri Lanka’s top 100 brands at LKR559.4bn in 2025, with banking the best-performing sector (Bank of Ceylon #1); Commercial Bank (LKR46.6bn), Dialog (LKR35.4bn) and Keells (LKR22.7bn) rank among the top brands.

Brand Finance's Sri Lanka 100 2025 ranks Bank of Ceylon as the country's most valuable brand at Rs.57.4 billion. Keells emerges as the strongest brand (BSI 90.2, AAA+), while Commercial Bank (Rs.46.6b) and Dialog (Rs.35.4b) take second and third places.