News & market updates

The SEC launched a 10-year "12 Pillars" capital market roadmap on Sept 24 to boost market infrastructure, products and digitization; ASPI has risen 209.5% since 2021 and market cap stands at Rs. 7.44 trillion. Key reforms include CSE demutualization, ETFs and derivatives, expanded corporate debt and digitized trading/settlement, alongside recent green and Sukuk issuances by DFCC, Commercial Bank and Vidullanka.

DFCC Bank PLC launched iConnect 2.0, a unified digital corporate banking platform that combines cash management, trade finance, supply chain financing and API integrations. The platform offers real-time connectivity, virtual accounts, automated reconciliation and a web/mobile app to streamline payments and trade for corporates and SMEs.

The Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI rose 0.26% to 21,282, led by gains in diversified financials, banks and capital goods. Top contributors included Hayleys, LOLC, Browns Investments, DIMO and Ceylon Cold Stores, with turnover Rs6.56bn and a net foreign inflow of Rs61.38m.

DFCC Bank relaunched DFCC iConnect 2.0, a digital corporate banking platform to simplify trade, payments and supply-chain financing for corporates and SMEs. The platform combines cash management, trade finance, supply-chain financing and API integrations with real-time connectivity and mobile/web access.

DFCC Bank PLC won a Merit Award for Best Use of AI Technologies and a Silver Award for Best SEO/SEM Campaign at the SLIM Digis 2.5 Awards 2025. The awards reflect DFCC's digital transformation strategy to embed AI and innovation across the customer journey to enhance personalization and accessibility.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.91% (189.84 pts) to 20,965.26, extending a three-session rally; FCT.N0000 declared a Rs.5 dividend and its shares jumped 30.2%, while NTB.N0000, DFCC.N0000, JKH.N0000, CINS.N0000 and MELS.N0000 were key contributors. Turnover was Rs.6.86bn and foreigners were net sellers (Rs.481.2m).

DFCC Bank partnered with Ceylon Remittances to launch a remittance service in Japan, expanding its international remittance network to provide secure, efficient channels for Sri Lankans and strengthen formal inflows to Sri Lanka.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +0.91% at 20,965 and S&P SL20 +1.16% at 5,971, with turnover Rs6.86bn led by diversified financials, banks and capital goods. Top contributors included Nations Trust Bank, DFCC, John Keells, Singer and Melstacorp; First Capital Treasuries declared a Rs5 dividend and Acme announced a six‑for‑one rights issue.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has joined GovPay, enabling tourism operators to pay the Tourism Development Levy and other SLTDA services online via banks' internet/mobile banking and connected FinTech apps. The initial rollout covers TDL payments with phased expansion planned.

DFCC Bank partnered with Ceylon Remittances to launch a new remittance service in Japan, expanding its international remittance network. The service is intended to provide a secure, efficient channel for Sri Lankans in Japan and support formal inflows to Sri Lanka.

SLTDA has joined GovPay, enabling Tourism Development Levy and other SLTDA payments to be made online via 14 banks and six FinTech apps (including major local banks and L B Finance's CIM). GovPay, launched Feb 2025, has processed 1,773 services totalling over Rs.110 Mn and will expand to more SLTDA payments.

Alliance Finance Company PLC (ALLI.N0000) issued and listed Sri Lanka’s first Social Bond on the Colombo Stock Exchange on 28 Aug; proceeds will fund projects delivering measurable social benefits such as finance for marginalised communities, women-led enterprises, job creation and skills development.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 264 points (1.3%) and the S&P SL20 gained 1.2% on turnover of Rs.6.2bn. Banks and hotel counters led gains (COMB, SAMP, HNB, SPEN, DFCC), capital goods and utilities drove turnover, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.270.8m.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.30% to 20,619 with turnover of Rs 6.21bn, led by gains in banks and capital goods. Key risers included Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, HNB, Aitken Spence, DFCC and active trading in Sierra Cables.

Fitch has assigned an expected National Long-Term Rating of 'A(EXP)(lka)' to DFCC Bank's proposed Rs.3 billion Blue Bond. The rupee-denominated senior unsecured bonds, maturing in three to five years, will fund eligible marine and coastal resilience projects; final rating depends on documentation.

Colombo market fell as the ASPI and S&P SL20 declined 1.25% amid profit-taking led by banks, with ASPI down 257 points — the largest intraday drop since 23 June. Turnover was Rs.4 billion and foreigners recorded a net outflow of Rs.80.5 million; several bank counters led losses.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 1.25% to 20,355.39 as investor uncertainty over the next IMF tranche and possible new budget taxes prompted selling; major banks (Commercial Bank, Sampath, DFCC, HNB) and Melstacorp led declines.

Fitch assigned DFCC Bank PLC’s proposed LKR3 billion senior unsecured listed blue bonds a preliminary national long-term rating of 'A(EXP)(lka)'. The three- to five-year bonds will fund eligible blue projects for marine and coastal resource sustainability and climate resilience.

Fitch assigned an expected National Long-Term Rating of 'A(EXP)(lka)' to DFCC Bank PLC's proposed LKR3 billion rupee‑denominated senior unsecured listed blue bonds. The bonds would mature in three, four or five years and fund eligible marine/coastal resilience projects.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down, with the ASPI down 0.14% (29.43 pts) at 20,612 as budget concerns created volatility. Market turnover was 5.847 billion rupees; DFCC, Nations Trust and Watawala were among top gainers while Commercial Bank and Sampath weighed on the index.

ASPI fell 0.6% (128 pts) to 20,642 on turnover of Rs.6.5bn, led by Prime Lands Residencies (Rs.1.9bn), Chevron Lubricants and Sierra Cables; banks and blue-chip names including HNB, JKH and DFCC were top negative contributors.

DFCC Bank is offering anniversary fixed deposit rates from 7.5% for 100–200 day terms up to 8.0% for 300 days, and up to 11.5% on five-year deposits, available across its branch network.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: ASPI fell 0.69% to 20,625 and S&P SL20 fell 0.68% to 5,889. Hatton National Bank, DFCC, John Keells and Dialog weighed on the index while Prime Lands Residencies accounted for Rs 1.91bn of turnover and closed up at Rs 32.

Colombo market rebounded as ASPI rose 0.4% (S&P SL20 +0.6%) on turnover of Rs.11.87bn led by CT Holdings (Rs.3.6bn), Cargills (Rs.1bn), CDB, PickMe and Sierra Cables. Selected banks (HNB, NDB, NHL, BIL, DFCC) were top positive contributors while foreign investors were net sellers (Rs.2.6bn), with CT Holdings seeing net foreign selling.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.46% to 20,769, with a C T Holdings crossing contributing Rs 3.6bn to turnover; C T Holdings closed down Rs 29.75 at Rs 689. Banks led gains with HNB, NDB and DFCC up, while Sampath and Nations Trust fell.

DFCC Bank is offering anniversary fixed deposit rates of 7.5%–8.0% for 100–300 day terms and up to 11.5% p.a. on five-year deposits, available across its island-wide branches.

LAUGFS Gas and LAUGFS Power shares surged (LAUGFS Gas voting +65.42% to Rs.66.50; LAUGFS Power non-voting +63% to Rs.14.20) after reports of a 50:50 partnership with Vallibel Three (Dhammika Perera). Meanwhile the ASPI fell 0.4% to 20,906 with declines led by HNB, COMB, DFCC, CINS and JKH; turnover leaders included RIL, CTHR and EBCR.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower; ASPI fell 0.41% to 20,905.83 and S&P SL20 fell 0.82% to 5,955.36. Laugfs-related buying lifted several stocks (not in shortlist) while Windforce, C T Holdings, Hayleys and Carson Cumberbatch rose and most banks including HNB, Commercial Bank and DFCC lost ground.

DFCC Bank has signed a three-year partnership with the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust to support leopard conservation and broader biodiversity protection in Sri Lanka. The collaboration funds a nationwide awareness campaign and community interventions (non-lethal fencing, veterinary support) under DFCC's Sustainability Framework.

Colombo ASPI fell 0.34% (71.78 pts) to 20,990.67, weighed down by declines in Ceylon Tobacco, Commercial Bank, National Development Bank, John Keells and DFCC; turnover was LKR 7.53 billion.