News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.65% to 22,263.28, with utilities leading turnover at Rs.486 million. Top movers included Lighthouse Hotel (+4.64%), HNB (+0.19%), Sampath (+0.17%) and Pan Asia (+1.29%); Windforce (-5.12%) and Hayleys (-0.94%) were top decliners, and Asia Asset Finance declared a Rs.0.70 dividend on its convertible preference shares.

HNB PLC has partnered with Euro Motors Pvt Ltd to introduce a comprehensive vehicle leasing solution in Sri Lanka. The financing plan targets DONGFENG and JETOUR models and includes maintenance support to expand those brands' presence.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher with the ASPI up 0.89% to 22,407.04 and the S&P SL20 up 0.99% to 6,242.75 on Rs.2.72bn turnover; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.50.3m.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.89% as the ASPI gained 198.46 points to 22,407 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.99% to 6,242, with turnover of 2.7 billion rupees. Top positive contributors were Dialog Axiata, John Keells and Hayleys, while Bukit Darah and Colombo Fort Land & Building were top decliners.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) will be Title Sponsor of the CCWE Fashion Week and International Summit 2026, held 16–20 July at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. HNB says the sponsorship supports women entrepreneurs, SME development and financial inclusion.

Colombo Stock Exchange trended up, with the ASPI rising 0.27% (61.12 pts) to 22,314.64 on turnover of Rs.609.9m, led by capital goods (Rs.241.2m). Lee Hedges announced revised payment terms for its Rs.3.15bn acquisition of Lanka Realty Developments (Rs.1.1bn paid, Rs.2.057bn due within six months plus interest).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: ASPI fell 0.48% to 22,253.52 and S&P SL20 fell 0.25% to 6,199.97, with market turnover of 1.18 billion rupees. Top gainers included Vallibel Power Erathna and Hatton National Bank, while John Keells, Aitken Spence, DFCC and Commercial Bank were among the main decliners.

Hatton National Bank PLC signed an MoU with the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka on 20 May 2026 to offer IESL’s 25,000+ members customised pre‑approved premium credit cards, pre‑approved personal loans and access to HNB Priority Circle. The package offers concessions and tailored banking for engineering professionals.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) appointed Champika Dodanwela as an Independent Non-Executive Director. She brings over 35 years of banking experience, including senior roles and a CFO tenure at Seylan Bank and earlier work at Sampath Bank.

Colombo market edged up as the ASPI rose 0.04% (8.62 pts) to 22,385.91 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.17% to 6,210.72. Turnover was Rs.2.56bn on 107m shares, the banking sector led turnover and foreigners were net sellers of about Rs.12.2m.

Hatton National Bank partnered with the Rainforest Trust of Sri Lanka to support installation of scientifically documented name boards for 52 trees at Colombo’s Independence Walking Park.

Fitch says Sri Lanka's central bank tighter capital rules for gold-backed loans (10% risk weight for LTV<70% from 1 Sep) will be manageable for banks but hit finance companies harder; Asia Asset Finance, L B Finance, UB Finance, HNB Finance and MBSL face the largest capital impacts.

ASPI jumped 3.43% (743.22 pts) to 22,380.65 as markets rallied on signs of a possible end to the Middle East war, with index-weighted counters SAMP, COMB, JKH, MELS and DIAL among top contributors; turnover exceeded Rs.4bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.21.1m).

HNB PLC signed an MoU with the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka on 20 May 2026 to offer IESL’s 25,000+ members customised pre-approved premium credit cards, pre-approved personal loans and eligibility for HNB Priority Circle.

Commercial Bank (COMB.N0000) now lets Premium/Platinum credit and Elite debit cardholders convert Max Loyalty Rewards points into airline miles with SriLankan Airlines and other carriers at a promotional rate of 6 points = 1 FlySmiLes mile through 31 Dec 2026, via its existing digital platform.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.34% to 22,456.18 (up 75.53 pts) as turnover reached 2.42 billion rupees, with materials leading turnover at 1.4 billion. Top positive contributors were Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, HNB and DFCC, while LOLC and Prime Lands were top decliners.

Banking leaders, including HNB and Commercial Bank executives, called for stronger governance, internal controls, cyber resilience and responsible AI use to future-proof Sri Lanka's banking sector at a Daily FT-ACCA-ICCSL webinar.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 3.17% midday Monday after news of a US‑Iran framework deal; banks led gains with Sampath at 146.25, Commercial Bank at 209.50 and Hatton National Bank at 405, driving the ASPI higher.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) marked five years of using Nucleus Software’s FinnAxia platform, adopted in 2021 to modernize its corporate transaction banking; the platform now supports LankaPay rails and multiple corporate payment services and averages over 3,000 daily users.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 1.73% (367.41 pts) to 21,637.43 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.55% to 6,027.05. Turnover was below Rs.2bn with foreign investors net buyers of Rs.24.4m; HNB, COMB, JKH, DFCC and RIL were key positive contributors and banks led turnover (25%).

National Development Bank PLC suffered an internal Rs. 13.2 billion fraud that went undetected, prompting a parliamentary probe that blamed Central Bank oversight failures and drew IMF demands for regulatory and AML/CFT reforms. The Central Bank has retained Deloitte India for a forensic audit with an interim report due in two weeks and a final report by July 18.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 1.68% (up 357.08 pts) to 21,627.10, with the S&P SL20 up 1.55% as banks supported gains. Market turnover was Rs.666m led by real estate; Colombo Fort Investments and Colombo Investment Trust listed scrip-dividend shares effective June 12, 2026.

HNB PLC has partnered with Access Motors to launch an exclusive Jaguar and Land Rover leasing scheme effective 25 May 2026, offering special leasing rates, a first-year credit card fee waiver, discounted insurance and vehicle discounts up to Rs.500,000 plus complimentary first-five services.

ASPI fell 1.57% (340.85 pts) to 21,403.28 as the CSE opened in the red amid rising interest rates and Middle East tensions. Turnover was over Rs.2.6bn with foreign net outflows of Rs.54.1m; Melstacorp, Bukit Darah, Sampath and LOLC were key negatives while John Keells and ACL led turnover and HNB rose.

HNB PLC has signed an MoU with Hayleys Agriculture Holdings to expand leasing solutions for Kubota and Agrotech agricultural machinery across Sri Lanka. The partnership will finance tractors, combine harvesters, power tillers and rice milling machines to boost farm mechanisation.

Colombo market fell sharply, ASPI down 1.14% (250.79 pts) to 21,760.31 and the S&P SL20 down 1.08% to 6,031.73. Foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.92.25m and higher interest rates weighed on investor sentiment.

Colombo stocks fell as investors shifted to fixed income after a central bank rate hike; ASPI down 1.14% to 21,760 and S&P SL20 down 1.08% to 6,031. Top negative contributors included Dialog, Commercial Bank, Melstacorp and HNB, while United Motors announced a 40-cent dividend.

Colombo Stock Exchange slid midday as the ASPI fell 0.91% (200.70 pts) to 21,810 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.96% to 6,039. Hemas and Colombo Dockyard were positive contributors while Dialog Axiata, HNB, Commercial Bank and John Keells were top decliners; United Motors Lanka announced a 40 cents/share dividend.