News & market updates

Sri Lanka's All Share Price Index rose 4.74% to 15,580.83 after the US announced a 90-day pause on a proposed 44% tariff increase on Sri Lankan exports. Top contributors were Commercial Bank (+9.39%), Hatton National Bank (+9.54%), Sampath Bank (+8.41%) and John Keells (+4.69%); turnover LKR 6.98bn.

ASPI fell 1.7% to 14,876 with the S&P SL20 down 2.4%; turnover was Rs.3 billion and there was a Rs.1 billion net foreign inflow led by John Keells (Rs.665m). Banking names (Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hatton) and Hayleys were among the main laggards while capital goods drove turnover.

Hayleys Solar (Hayleys PLC) is offering HNB credit cardholders interest-free instalment plans of up to 60 months for solar purchases, valid until 30 April 2025.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell after new US tariffs took effect: ASPI dropped 1.66% to 14,875.95 and the S&P SL20 fell 2.37% to 4,352.69. Export-exposed Hayleys slid 5.98% and John Keells plus major listed banks also closed lower.

Hayleys Solar is offering HNB credit cardholders interest-free installment plans for solar purchases of up to 60 months, a limited-time offer valid until 30 April 2025.

Colombo bourse rebounded strongly as ASPI rose 3% (surging 467 points) and S&P SL20 gained 4.65%, adding Rs.170bn in market value led by banks (Sampath, Commercial, HNB) and majors including John Keells, Hayleys, Access Engineering and DIMO; turnover was Rs.2.9bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.48.3m).

Sri Lanka's ASPI rebounded 3.19% (467.26 pts) to 15,127.71 and the S&P SL20 rose 4.54% as markets recovered ahead of the US tariff deadline. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB and Hayleys, with banking stocks trading positively.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) will introduce 0% Merchant Discount Rate for LANKAQR transactions below Rs.10,000 for HNB-appointed merchants from 1 April to 30 June 2025. The move targets higher digital uptake during the Avurudu season and to capture cross-border tourist payments via LankaQR's UPI/UnionPay/Alipay links.

Sri Lanka stocks fell sharply as the ASPI closed down 4.64% (712.90 pts) at 14,660.45 and the S&P SL20 fell 5.92% to 4,264.84. Negative sentiment followed a US "Liberation day" tariff announcement; top losers included Commercial Bank (-8.58% to 122.50), HNB (-7.96% to 269.00), Sampath (-5.9% to 102.75), Melstacorp (-5.7% to 120.25) and John Keells (-4.6% to 18.70).

Hatton National Bank will waive Merchant Discount Rates on LANKAQR transactions under Rs.10,000 for HNB-appointed merchants from 1 April–30 June 2025. The three-month offer targets more than 30,000 HNB merchants to boost digital payments during the Avurudu season and leverage LankaPay/UPI/Alipay integrations.

Colombo market fell after announcement of a 44% US reciprocal tariff, with ASPI down 1.8% to 15,373 and S&P SL20 down over 2%; banking sector led losses and SAMP, COMB and HNB were among top decliners. Turnover was Rs. 3.1bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 169.7m.

Colombo stocks fell after the US 'Liberation day' tariff announcement, with the ASPI down 1.82% (284.25 pts) to 15,373.35 and the S&P SL20 down 2.19% to 4,541.71. Banks and export-linked stocks led losses, with top negative contributors including Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, HNB and LOLC and turnover sliding to 3.17 billion rupees.

Sri Lanka stocks plunged for a second day as the ASPI fell 362.66 pts (2.32%) to 15,294.94 and the S&P SL20 fell 125.95 pts (2.71%) to 4,517.37 after a US executive order imposing a 44% tax on Sri Lanka. Major banks and exporters including Commercial Bank, Sampath, HNB, LOLC, John Keells, Teejay Lanka, Hela Apparel, Haycarb and Dipped Products dropped roughly 0.2–5.6%.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) decided not to proceed with the acquisition of Bank Alfalah's Bangladesh operations, a decision taken at an HNB board meeting on 2 April. HNB had earlier begun discussions and issued a non-binding offer in August pending due diligence.

Colombo stock market plunged over 2% as the ASPI fell 350 points after the US imposed reciprocal tariffs on Sri Lanka, hitting export-oriented counters. Turnover rose to Rs.3.8bn with heavy selling in Commercial Bank, Hayleys, Melstacorp, HNB and Sampath, while a 38% TSML stake sale by JKH drove turnover.

HNB PLC completed a comprehensive HR transformation introducing a new job banding & grading structure, a refreshed performance management system and market-aligned compensation. The overhaul, informed by 200+ interviews and covering >5,500 employees, aims to strengthen career pathways, retention and service quality.

A US 44% reciprocal tariff on Sri Lanka exports triggered a market sell-off, sending the ASPI down 2.19% (349.84 pts) and hitting exporters and other stocks (e.g., Hela Apparel -8.11%, Teejay Lanka -8.66%).

Hatton National Bank (HNB) will host the Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola 2025 at BMICH on April 5–6, showcasing products from 150 micro-entrepreneurs. The event is part of HNB's Gami Pubuduwa microfinance initiative to connect MSMEs with urban markets and buyers.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC won the Overall Gold Award for Excellence in Digital Payments at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025. LOLC Finance PLC won Overall Gold in the Non‑Bank Financial Institutions category, with DFCC, L B Finance, Seylan, Amana and Hatton National Bank among other winners.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) completed a comprehensive HR transformation, introducing new job banding and grading, a refreshed performance management system and market-aligned compensation after 200+ interviews; the bank says the changes will support its 5,500 employees and strengthen service delivery.

The Colombo market opened April higher, with the ASPI up 119 points (0.76%) on turnover of Rs. 1.9 billion. Banking stocks saw early selling around XD dates while blue-chips and capital goods (e.g. Hayleys, John Keells, Melstacorp) were key contributors.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) will host the Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola 2025 at BMICH on 5–6 April, featuring 150 micro-entrepreneurs showcasing locally produced goods. The event is part of HNB's Gami Pubuduwa microfinance initiative to help MSMEs access urban markets; entry is free.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.76% to 15,934.38 as buying interest returned, but turnover remained light at 1.91 billion rupees. Top contributors included Melstacorp, Hayleys, HNB, NDB and LOLC, with banks, capital goods and diversified financials leading turnover.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC won the Overall Gold Award for 'Excellence in Digital Payments' at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025. Other shortlist winners included DFCC Bank, Hatton National Bank, Seylan Bank, Amana Bank, LOLC Finance, L B Finance and Dialog Finance.

ASPI fell 67 points (0.4%) on low turnover of Rs.1.65bn; HNB was the largest negative contributor after its ex-dividend date, while SAMP, RICH, HAYL, HHL and SUN were top positive contributors and banks led turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.42% to 15,814.82 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.53% to 4,734.72; turnover was 1.6 billion with net foreign outflows of 48 million. Top laggards included Hatton National Bank, Melstacorp, Bukit Darah, Dialog Axiata and Ceylon Tobacco.

The Colombo market closed marginally up with the ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.4% as turnover rose to Rs.2.14bn, led by Lankem Ceylon (LCEY) which accounted for about Rs.1.1bn. Capital goods and banking drove activity, with notable movers including HNB, SAMP, COMB, JKH and LIOC.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +0.22% at 15,882.06 and S&P SL20 +0.38% at 4,759.86. Capital goods led turnover with LKR 1.2bn, banks LKR 446mn, and top contributors were HNB, SAMP, COMB, JKH and BUKI.

The 91st Battle of the Saints (the first-ever three-day Joe‑Pete encounter) will be played 3–5 April 2025 at the SSC Grounds, with the 51st One-Day on 26 April; sponsors include Keells (John Keells Holdings), Aitken Spence, HNB, Alliance Finance and Ceylon Cold Stores.