News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 24.32 points to 22,844.23 as turnover fell to LKR 3.44 billion. Top contributors included Kerner Haus (CPRT) which jumped 124.50 rupees to 780.50 after signing a property management deal, and gains in HNB, DOCK, DIMO, AEL and PKME.

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB.N0000) has been announced as the Platinum Sponsor of TiECON Colombo 2026, backing a major entrepreneurship and innovation conference in early 2026 to help local founders access capital and global networks.

Colombo market ended a three-day decline as ASPI rose 0.77% (174.03 pts) to 22,819.91 and S&P SL20 gained 0.30% to 6,298.75. Market turnover exceeded Rs.4bn with banking counters (led by Hatton National Bank and DFCC) dominating activity while foreign investors were net sellers of ~Rs.213.2m.

ASPI fell 1.47% to 22,644.88, a five-week low, while the S&P SL20 dropped 1.33% to 6,279.71. Declines in banks and blue-chips led losses (notably HNB, RICH, NDB, SAMP and JKH); turnover was Rs.4.95bn with foreigners net buying ~Rs.83.2m and heavy activity in Hemas, DOCK and York.

HNB PLC signed an MoU with ESOFT Uni on 2 Oct 2025 to offer HNB education loans to ESOFT students, providing a Dell laptop or Rs.100,000 tuition cut for British degrees, a Samsung phone or Rs.50,000 for HND/Top‑Up/MBA/MSc and an interest‑only grace option early in the loan.

Hatton National Bank MD/CEO Damith Pallewatte set out HNB's 'Road to 2030', prioritising digitalisation and remittance-capture as growth drivers and citing worker remittances up ~20% y/y to nearly $6.5bn. He urged banks to align with Budget 2025 targets including a 12% digital-economy goal and DPI like SL-UDI and asset registries.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 1.47% to 22,644 as profit taking continued, with the ASPI down 338.72 points and the S&P SL20 down 1.21% to 6,287.81; turnover was 4.95 billion rupees. Top negatives included HNB, NDB, Sampath Bank and John Keells Holdings.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Friday — ASPI down 0.53% to 22,982.72 and S&P SL20 down 0.28% to 6,364.61; turnover was Rs3.81bn led by food, beverage & tobacco, with HNB, Bukit Darah, Ambeon Holdings and Senkadagala Finance among top negative contributors.

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.

The ASPI fell 0.74% (172.02 pts) to 23,051.66 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.52% to 6,376.54 as profit-taking pulled the market lower. Turnover exceeded Rs.4.4bn with foreign net outflow of Rs.100.6m; SFCL, HNB, RICH, DFCC and DIAL were the key negative contributors and capital goods, banking and food/beverage/tobacco led activity.

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.

CSE All Share Price Index fell 0.74% (172.02 points) to 23,051.66 as profit taking extended losses for a fourth session. Banks and diversified financials led declines, with Senkadagala Finance, HNB and DFCC Bank among the top negative contributors.

SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 concluded on 28 October 2025 at Monarch Imperial, drawing over 1,200 entries. Winner Sewwandi Wijeratne represented HNB Bank, with SLIM highlighting inclusivity and professional standards in sales.

HNB General Insurance grew 21% in the nine months to 30 Sep 2025, recording GWP of LKR 8.18bn and raising market share from 6.8% to 7.2%. Total assets grew to LKR 11.15bn, FUM to LKR 6.9bn, fire & engineering GWP rose 33%, and a parallel SLFRS 17 run is underway for 2026 adoption.

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.

Colombo market recovered from early losses to finish the week essentially flat, with the ASPI down 0.01% at 23,459.75 and the S&P SL20 down 0.34% at 6,435.93. Market turnover was over Rs. 5.6 billion, foreigners were net sellers (~Rs. 5.9m), and heavy activity was led by banking, capital goods and food sectors.

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.

HNB PLC reported Group PAT of Rs 34.7 Bn for the nine months to Sep 2025, up 47% YoY (Bank PAT Rs 31.5 Bn, +42%). Loans grew by Rs 287.7 Bn (Bank Rs 262.6 Bn), group assets exceeded Rs 2.6 Tn, net Stage 3 ratio fell to 1.36%, Tier I 16.74% and LCR 227.45%.

Hatton National Bank group posted a Q3 (Sep 2025) net profit of Rs 11.03 billion, up 53%, with EPS of Rs 19.30. Nine-month profit was Rs 33.4 billion (up 46%); loans rose 26% to Rs 1,391 billion and deposits grew 10% to Rs 1,932 billion.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) posted group PAT of Rs. 34.7bn in the first nine months of 2025, up 47% YoY. Group net loans rose by Rs. 287.7bn YTD and asset quality improved, with the Net Stage 3 ratio falling to 1.36%.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell as profit taking pushed the ASPI down 0.82% to 23,466.09 and the S&P SL20 down 1.46% to 6,462.04, with turnover of 6.42 billion rupees; top negatives included Sampath Bank, HNB, John Keells, NDB and Bukit Darah.

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.

CSE extended its post-Budget rally as the ASPI rose 0.34% to 23,582.16 with turnover topping Rs.8.2bn; RICH, DIAL, DFCC, AEL and HNB were key positive contributors. Foreign investors were net buyers (Rs.26mn) and capital goods led activity (28% of turnover) while banking and F&B accounted for 35%.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.34% to 23,582.16, led by bluechips and banking shares; top contributors included DIAL.N0000, DFCC.N0000, AEL.N0000, HNB.N0000, SIRA.N0000 and JKH.N0000, with John Keells reporting a Sept quarter net profit up 21% to LKR 1.65bn.

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.

HNB Investment Bank acted as financial advisor and manager to JF Packaging's IPO, which was over six times oversubscribed, raising Rs.3.7 billion against a Rs.600 million target; the issue was priced at Rs.11.60 per share.

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.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.98% as the ASPI gained 225.77 points to 23,338.25 amid the national budget reading; top contributors included Senkadagala Finance, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and HNB, with Kotmale Holdings the top gainer.