News & market updates

Commercial Bank of Ceylon won six Asian Banking & Finance Awards 2025 and posted Profit Before Tax of Rs 95.53 billion in 2024 (up 199.7%). Total assets reached Rs 2.79 trillion, net loans rose 17.5% to Rs 1.38 trillion, impaired loans ratio fell to 2.76% and LCR was 454.36%.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon launched Sri Lanka’s first AI-powered SME credit underwriting solution to speed up and personalise SME lending. The platform uses machine learning and predictive analytics to automate approvals, improve risk assessment and the bank plans to extend similar AI underwriting to personal, housing and card credits.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI gained 129 points (0.7%) on fresh buying, with turnover of Rs.5.98bn. Banking and construction led gains — HNB, Central Finance, R I L Property and Melstacorp were among top contributors while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.84.4m.

Dhammika Perera acquired a 77% stake in East West Properties for about Rs.3.2bn (off‑board at Rs.30.20), lifting EAST to Rs.31.80 as crossings drove turnover to Rs.8.88bn; ASPI fell 10 points. Banking names (Sampath, Commercial Bank, HNB) and diversified stocks also saw heavy activity while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.561mn.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) launched Sri Lanka's first AI-powered SME credit underwriting solution to speed and personalise SME loan approvals. The machine-learning platform automates risk assessment and the bank plans to extend AI underwriting to personal, housing and card lending.

Colombo market fell as ASPI declined 0.58% (around 106 points) and S&P SL20 down 0.5% on low turnover of Rs.2.4bn; major drags included Melstacorp, Colombo Dockyard, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence and NDB, while turnover was led by Sampath, John Keells and Vallibel Finance.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.58% to 18,042.20 on Monday as US tariff uncertainty damped investor interest, with Melstacorp, HNB, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence and NDB posting declines and turnover falling to Rs2.4bn. Colombo Dockyard announced a rights issue of 323m shares at Rs40.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Hayleys Agriculture have partnered to offer customised Agri Leases and Diribala Green Development Loans to farmers buying Hayleys agricultural machinery. The facilities provide preferential rates, flexible repayments tied to cropping cycles and faster processing to promote mechanisation and productivity.

Executives from Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000), DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) and NDB (NDB.N0000) attended AIA's Bancassurance Summit 2025 in Beijing to discuss bancassurance, growth, innovation and digital transformation. Commercial Bank MD & CEO Sanath Manatunge participated on the CEO panel on how banks drive growth and innovation.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) opened a Representative Office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to serve its growing client base in the UAE, Bangladesh and the Maldives. The bank already operates 20 outlets in Bangladesh, a microfinance firm in Myanmar and a Tier I bank in the Maldives.

Executives from Commercial Bank, DFCC Bank and NDB Bank attended AIA's Bancassurance Summit 2025 in Beijing to discuss bancassurance, digital transformation and regional partnerships.

Private credit expanded by Rs133bn in May 2025 (up from Rs71bn in April), taking five‑month growth to Rs478.6bn, while commercial bank credit to government fell Rs53bn. The central bank cut its policy rate last month and central bank credit to government rose Rs123bn.

Colombo's ASPI finished the week up 1.5%, closing at 18,148 (up 47 pts) while the S&P SL20 gained 1.6%, with weekly turnover averaging Rs.6.8bn. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, Sunshine and CT Holdings, and food retailing led turnover.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.26% (47.42 pts) to 18,148.34 as US tariff threats loomed, with buying lifting banks and conglomerates; John Keells, Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Sunshine closed higher.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon opened a Representative Office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to serve as a regional contact point for clients in the UAE and neighbouring markets. The move builds on the bank's existing international footprint (20 outlets in Bangladesh, operations in Myanmar and the Maldives).

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.

Colombo bourse rebounded as ASPI rose 0.8% (145 pts) to 18,142 on turnover of Rs.7.8bn, led by strong activity in Capital Goods and Banking; CTHR, DOCK, AEL, RIL and JKH were among top positive contributors.

Colombo stocks closed marginally down, with the ASPI falling 0.23% to 18,100 and the S&P SL20 down 0.22% to 5,347. Seylan Bank received in-principle CSE approval for a Rs15bn Basel III debenture issue, and Tal Lanka Hotels listed 32,228,524 ordinary voting shares after a private placement.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) has partnered with Prime EV Automobiles to offer exclusive EV leasing through end-2025, including up to 90% financing, customised repayment plans, special insurance rates and green-lease status.

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.

ASPI crossed 18,000 to close at 18,026 as both indices rose about 7% for June, with turnover of Rs. 6.38bn led by LFIN, AEL, JKH, CFIN and SAMP.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) promoted digital banking and financial literacy at Carmel Fatima College's 125th Jubilee Exhibition in Kalmunai, demonstrating its digital products to over 21,000 registered participants from more than 80 schools. Its Mini Digi Zone showcased 'ComBank Digital' and the 'Dotcom' Savings Account and ran awareness sessions on cybersecurity and modern financial practices.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon signed an MoU with Toyota Lanka to offer preferential vehicle leasing — including attractive interest rates, extended tenures up to eight years, and fee waivers — available island-wide until 31 December 2025.

LankaPay CEO Channa de Silva said the Fintech Forum aims to position Sri Lanka as a regional fintech hub, noting Rs.1.3tn in cash circulation and Rs.34tn in digital transactions last year and urging bank–fintech partnerships to boost rural financial inclusion.

Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000) convened Sri Lanka’s first bank-led national sustainability summit 'ForwardTogether 2025' on 26 June to advance ESG, sustainable finance and climate action. The event brought policymakers (including the Central Bank Governor) and development partners together to support green finance and inclusive banking.

CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe urged Sri Lankan banks to embed sustainable finance and pledged CBSL support for the Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0, stressing ESG risk management, transparent disclosures and potential regulatory incentives.

CMA Sri Lanka will host the MSME Business Development Summit 2025 and the MSME Business Excellence Awards 2025 at BMICH, with Commercial Bank represented on the SME panel and a former HNB AGM moderating; banks and finance companies are expected to bring MSME clients and be recognized for award winners.

CFA Society Sri Lanka held the Capital Market Awards 2025 on 24 June; Sunshine Holdings won Gold for Best Investor Relations (Mid-to-Large), hSenid Business Solutions won Best Investor Relations (Small Cap), Talawakelle Tea Estates won Silver for Best Sustainability Reporting, and Dialog Axiata and Commercial Bank shared Bronze. Capital Alliance was a Gold sponsor and Hatton National Bank served as Banking Partner.

CFA Society Sri Lanka held the 12th Capital Market Awards on 24 June, with Sunshine Holdings winning Gold for Best Investor Relations (Mid-to-Large Cap). hSenid won Gold for Best Investor Relations (Small Cap); Hemas won Silver (Mid-to-Large), Talawakelle Tea Estates won Silver for Best Sustainability Reporting, and Dialog and Commercial Bank shared Bronze for Sustainability.

Colombo market rebounded after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, with the ASPI up 2.5% (426 pts) and turnover Rs.5.2bn. Banking stocks and conglomerates led gains, with JKH, COMB, PABC and CFIN among the top contributors.