News & market updates

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.

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.

ASPI fell 0.64% to 19,786 after briefly crossing the 20,000 mark, with turnover of Rs.4.53bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.8.2m. Banking stocks and conglomerates weighed on the market, with JKH, MELS, NDB, AEL and BUKI among top negative contributors while DFCC and Royal Ceramics saw gains.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) opened a 24/7 full-service branch and customer centre at City of Dreams Sri Lanka to serve tourists, residents and businesses. The branch strengthens HNB's relationship with developer John Keells Holdings and supports operations at the US$1.2bn integrated resort.

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.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) backed the $40m merger of Surge Global and Calcey to form Short Circuit, providing financing support including a $4.5m debt package. The new tech group will employ over 500 people across multiple countries and pursue M&A and sector spinouts.

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.

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.

The Shoppes at City of Dreams launched its premium luxury retail component in Colombo and will open to the public tomorrow; Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) will open a flagship branch on the seventh floor as part of the development.

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.

Hatton National Bank backed the $40m Surge Global–Calcey merger to form Short Circuit, providing $4.5m in debt financing (with support from HNB Investment Bank). The new entity will employ 500+ staff and pursue M&A and global expansion.

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.

nVentures, a MAS‑licensed Singapore VC, has invested over $1.5m in six Sri Lankan startups and helped secure commercial ties, including a co‑branded card with HNB, CEFT integration with Seylan Bank, and debt financing from DFCC.

HNB PLC opened its first dedicated Trade Hub in Pettah to provide extended trade-finance services and extended hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) for importers and exporters. The bank said the Pettah hub is the first of several planned nationwide to improve turnaround and customer convenience.

nVentures became the first MAS-licensed foreign VC active in Sri Lanka, channeling over USD 1.5 million into local startups. The firm has backed six ventures and secured commercial partnerships involving local banks, including HNB (co-branded card with Nanosoft), Seylan (CEFT integration) and DFCC (debt financing for MintPay).

Dialog Axiata's Dialog Enterprise has deployed Dialog Cloud (IaaS, DRaaS, BaaS, FWaaS), Tier III data-center co-location and Fixed Voice solutions for HNB Investment Bank to support its digital transformation. The cloud services are ISO/IEC 27017 and 27018-aligned and include 24/7 support for compliance and high availability.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) has implemented Nucleus Software's FinnAxia transaction banking suite and reports a 10X increase in customer onboarding and a 6X rise in transaction volumes since going live. The rollout aims to expand its transaction banking offerings, improve cash management and attract SME and corporate clients.

HNB CEO Damith Pallewatte outlines HNB's plan to channel private capital into agrimodernisation and exporters, targeting 30,000 Agripreneurs under HNB Sarusara. He cites 4.8% GDP growth in 1Q25 and an 800bp policy‑rate cut since 2023 as supporting conditions.

The Association of Professional Bankers hosted a panel at the Bank of Ceylon where CISOs from Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank and other experts discussed strengthening cyber risk supervision and digital resilience for the banking sector.

Association of Professional Bankers held a high-level panel at the Bank of Ceylon on strengthening technology and cyber risk supervision across Sri Lanka's banking sector. Speakers included CISOs from Hatton National Bank and Commercial Bank and a Central Bank Senior Assistant Director emphasizing regulatory and risk-management measures.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.71% to 19,379.24 on anticipation of strong earnings, with turnover of 6.2 billion rupees. Brokers noted renewed interest in banks and index-heavy John Keells ahead of its Aug. 2 casino opening; selected banks closed mixed.

HNB General Insurance hosted 'Celebrating Excellence 2025', honouring staff and 24 Platinum Club sales achievers. The event also highlighted HNBGI's digital initiatives, including the Sayuru mobile platform developed with Dialog Axiata.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, ASPI up 0.79% (151.15 pts) at 19,243.08 and S&P SL20 up 0.57% at 5,689.62. Top contributors included DFCC, Carson Cumberbatch, NDB and NTB; banking stocks led turnover (Rs1.3bn) and the central bank kept the policy rate at 7.75%.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.25% to 19,091.93, led by gains in DFCC, NDB, Access Engineering and HNB; turnover was about 5.9 billion rupees and spot gold was trading near $3,400. Sri Lanka is set for another round of US tariff talks ahead of an Aug 1 deadline.

HNB (HNB Investment Bank/HNB PLC) has entered the Maldivian market through a partnership with Dhivehi Investment Partners to offer investment banking, advisory and dual-listing services on the Colombo Stock Exchange. Dhivehi Investment Partners will identify clients, support regulatory compliance and assist placement and execution on the ground.

HNB Investment Bank (part of Hatton National Bank) has entered the Maldivian market via a partnership with Dhivehi Investment Partners, formalised on 18 July, to offer investment banking services and capital-raising advisory. The alliance will support equity, debt and M&A advisory and facilitate dual listings on the Colombo Stock Exchange for Maldivian firms.

Dialog Axiata has partnered with HNB General Insurance to introduce parametric insurance for day-boat fishermen via the Sayuru app, providing automatic compensation when officially declared cyclone conditions prevent fishing.