News & market updates

Hatton National Bank (HNB) has rolled out compact, cost-effective mini POS devices nationwide, capturing a large number of merchants to help SMEs accept digital payments and drive financial inclusion.

NCGIL issued its first guarantees to Commercial Bank (COMB), Hatton National Bank (HNB) and Citizens Development Business Finance (CDB) to partly cover MSME loans under a new ADB-funded program (USD 50m), offering guarantees currently up to 67% of principal.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) has partnered with The Kingsbury (SERV) to introduce SOLO/LankaQR digital payments across all The Kingsbury restaurants. The integration enables customers, including international visitors, to pay via UPI, Alipay, UnionPay and other LankaQR-enabled apps.

NCGIL began operations and issued its first guarantees to Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank and Citizens Development Business Finance to partly cover loans to three MSMEs; the ADB-funded, GOSL-backed vehicle has USD50m funding and offers guarantees up to 67% for term loans (LKR 0.5m–25m).

The SEC, with ADB technical support, released a regulatory framework enabling issuance and trading of Green, Blue, Social and Sustainability‑Linked (GSS+) bonds on the Colombo Stock Exchange, allowing sovereigns and corporates to raise capital for environmental and social projects.

ASPI rose 0.33% to 15,851.74 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.12% to 4,638.29, with John Keells Holdings the top negative contributor. Banking stocks were mostly negative (HNB, Sampath, Commercial, NDB down; DFCC, NTB up) and exporters showed mixed moves (Teejay, Hayleys Fabric, Dipped Products, Haycarb).

ASPI rose 51.80 points (0.33%) to 15,851.74 as turnover hit Rs. 5.9bn, driven by Rs. 2bn crossings in C T Holdings and Cargills. Pan Asia Banking, C T Holdings, DFCC, Melstacorp and Nations Trust were top contributors while John Keells, HNB, Commercial Bank, NDB and Access Engineering weighed on the index.

Colombo market ended a four-day winning streak as the ASPI fell 0.4% (67 points) to 15,800 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.6%. Turnover was Rs.2.37bn; banking, diversified financials and Food & Beverage led declines, and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.90.6m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.31% to 15,818.77 ahead of local elections, led by selling in banking counters such as Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank; export-linked stocks including Hayleys, Teejay Lanka, Haycarb and Dipped Products also slipped.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower: ASPI fell 67.40 points (-0.42%) to 15,799.94. Broad profit-taking hit banks (HNB, SAMP, COMB, CTHR, NDB) while MELS, GLAS, SINS and DIST were among gainers; turnover was Rs.2.37bn with net foreign outflow.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI rose 56 points (0.35%) to 15,867 on turnover of Rs.2 billion with foreign net inflows of Rs.25.5m. Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Materials led turnover and gains while banking showed subdued sentiment.

Hayleys PLC plans to raise up to Rs.7 billion via listed five-year debentures (initial tranche Rs.5bn: 50 million units at Rs.100), with subscription opening 5 May 2025; the CSE gave in-principle approval and HNB Investment Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon are joint placement agents.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.44% after a staff-level agreement with the IMF that clears the way for about $344m in financing; the ASPI closed 69.43 points higher at 15,811.47 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.45%. Export-oriented shares led gains while selected banking stocks ended weaker.

Fitch says Sri Lanka's State banks remain capital-vulnerable despite profit gains, noting BOC and People's Bank allocated 72% of combined profit (2.2% of combined RWAs) to a special reserve. Fitch estimates BOC's and PB's CET1 (11.97% and 10.43%) could fall below 10% under higher risk weights on FX sovereign exposures.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) concluded its Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola 2025 at BMICH on 5–6 April, drawing large crowds and generating strong sales and new business leads for over 150 microfinance entrepreneurs supported by the bank.

Colombo stocks rose 0.81% as exporters rallied on expectations of a US–Sri Lanka trade deal, with the ASPI closing at 15,742.04 (up 126.41 pts). Key contributors included Teejay Lanka, Hayleys Fabric, Haycarb, Dipped Products, LOLC and Royal Ceramics, while selected banks (Sampath, HNB, Amana) fell.

Fitch says the Central Bank has required banks to set a 15% special reserve on restructured government foreign‑currency exposures for six months from end‑2024, which materially weakens state banks' regulatory capital while private banks such as Commercial Bank and HNB face a smaller impact.

Fitch: Sri Lanka's state banks allocated 72% of combined profit (2.2% of RWA) to a CBSL-mandated special reserve for restructured foreign-currency exposures, leaving weaker regulatory capital despite higher profits; systemically important private banks like Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank allocated far less (19% and 0.7%) and saw stronger profitability.

Colombo market stayed bearish as the ASPI fell 43 points (0.28%) and the S&P SL20 dipped 0.68% on turnover of Rs.991.4m, with foreign net selling of Rs.63.4m. Banking names (COMB, HNB, NDB) and JKH weighed on the index while pockets of interest were seen in CINS, ASIR and COCR and retail interest in PAP, LVEF and LOFC.

Colombo stocks fell with the ASPI down 0.28% at 15,555.86 as uncertainty over US tariffs and Fed interest-rate commentary hit exporters and banks; key decliners included John Keells, Hayleys, Teejay, Haycarb and major banks, with a net foreign outflow of Rs 64m.

Colombo bourse opened marginally negative as the ASPI fell 17 points (0.11%) to 15,600 on low turnover of Rs.1.16bn. Banking stocks led turnover (24% share) while HAYL, LION, JKH, DIPD and TJL were top negative contributors and Sampath and Lanka IOC drew buying interest.

The Trade Finance Association of Bankers held its 28th AGM on 19 February and re‑elected Shyam De Silva of Hatton National Bank as President; the body unveiled a new Vision/Mission and emphasised digital innovation, industry collaboration, global standards and professional development in trade finance.

NDB Bank has signed the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code, committing to expand access to finance for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises as Sri Lanka adopts the Code nationally.

Colombo market ended the week with losses as the ASPI fell 0.6% and the S&P SL20 0.44% on low turnover of Rs. 841.2m and foreign net selling of Rs. 2.1m. Sampath, HNB, DFCC and Melstacorp were top negative contributors, while Commercial Credit, Central Finance, Lanka Milk Foods, Ceylon Cold Stores and Alumex drew buying interest.

Colombo stocks fell 0.06% as the ASPI closed down 9.31 pts at 15,616.57 and the S&P SL20 lost 0.44% amid continued US-China trade tensions; turnover was Rs 841 mn. Banking shares led declines: Sampath Bank -1.1% (Rs110.75), Commercial Bank -0.1% (Rs139.00), HNB -0.1% (Rs299.00).

HNB PLC launched Sri Lanka’s first card-based expressway toll payment pilot with the Road Development Authority at Kottawa and Kadawatha on April 11, 2025. The HNB-powered system accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex and LankaPay/JCB cards from all Sri Lankan bank cardholders and will be rolled out across the highway network.

Hatton National Bank PLC won three awards at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025 — Best Lanka QR Enabler (Gold), Most Innovative Bank (Silver) and Excellence in Customer Convenience (Merit), highlighting its digital banking and payment innovation.

Colombo market reopened after Avurudu with the ASPI up 99.68 pts (0.64%) to 15,626 and the S&P SL20 up 29.95 pts, on low turnover of Rs.792.8m; foreigners were net sellers of Rs.50.1m. Top contributors and turnover drivers included CFIN, NDB, CCS, COCR, CTC and HNB.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) launched Sri Lanka's first card-based expressway toll payment system with the RDA, piloting at Kottawa and Kadawatha interchanges on April 11. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex and LankaPay JCB and is available to all Sri Lankan bank cardholders.