News & market updates

National Development Bank PLC held an analyst earnings call to discuss its six months to 30 June 2025 results after reporting an all-time high PAT exceeding LKR 4.2 billion. Management reviewed macro trends, asset growth, CASA mobilisation, portfolio quality, digital investments, SME support and outlook.

NDB Bank held the 13th Executive Committee Installation of its NDB Toastmasters Club on 6 Aug 2025, inducting 14 new members and appointing TM Mohamad Fazlan as President for 2025/26. The event underscored the bank’s focus on leadership, communication skills and employee development.

ASPI rose 143.73 points to 20,714.80 as turnover hit Rs.11.1bn, led by banking stocks and conglomerates with top contributors JKH, HNB, SAMP, BUKI and NDB. Banking accounted for 39% of turnover and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.1.1bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, ASPI +0.70% to 20,714.80, driven by sustained investor interest in banks and diversified financials. Top contributors included John Keells, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Bukit Darah, National Development Bank and HNB Finance, with market turnover Rs11.14bn.

S&P SL20 crossed 6,000 for the first time, rising 58.46 points (0.97%) to close at 6,055.92; the ASPI also hit a record 20,571.07 (up 100.55 points, 0.49%) with turnover over Rs.10.8 billion.

MetroCorp raised its stake in National Development Bank to 4.7% after buying 2.58% of the lender's voting stock. Softlogic Life Insurance sold 31.7 million NDB shares for 4.4 billion rupees, which were bought by MetroCorp and investor Indra Silva (who holds stakes in Commercial Bank, Sampath and Hatton).

Investor Indra Silva bought a 7.4% stake in National Development Bank (NDB) in a transaction valued at Rs. 4.4 billion. NDB reported an all-time high PAT of Rs. 4.2 billion in H1 FY26, and Softlogic Life (AAIC.N0000) sold 31.7m shares, booking a profit.

The ASPI rose 1.45% to 20,218.36, led by banking stocks after interim results. Commercial Bank profits +101% to 15.9bn, HNB +37% to 11.74bn, Nations Trust +11% to 4.7bn, NDB -6% to 2,447m and Sampath -17% to 6.7bn.

National Development Bank PLC reported an all-time high 1H post-tax profit of Rs. 4.2 billion and pre-tax profit of Rs. 8.6 billion for the six months to 30 June 2025. Net loans rose 20.9% to Rs. 557 billion, deposits grew 10.2% to Rs. 696.1 billion, and capital and liquidity ratios remained comfortably above regulatory minima.

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI fell 0.23% (47 pts) to 19,929 with turnover around Rs.7.1bn and foreign net selling of Rs.28.5m amid profit-taking. Transportation led turnover (20%) driven by Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, while banking contributed strongly with activity in Sampath Bank and HNB.

NDB Bank reported June-quarter profit down 6% year-on-year to 2,447 million rupees. Net interest income rose to 8.5 billion rupees, loans grew 21% to 557 billion, impairment charges fell to 1.84 billion and capital adequacy eased to 12.29%.

National Development Bank (NDB.N0000) reported an all-time H1 PAT of LKR 4.2 billion and pre-tax profit of LKR 8.6 billion for the six months to June 30, 2025; net loans rose 20.9% to LKR 557.0 billion and deposits grew 10.2% to LKR 696.1 billion.

Colombo stocks closed down as the ASPI fell 0.23% to 19,928.67 with turnover of Rs 7 billion, including a Rs 1.4 billion trade in PickMe; Lanka Ventures rose while Hayleys, Sampath Bank, Central Finance and NDB were top decliners. Sampath Bank's interim profits fell 17% to Rs 6.7 billion in the June quarter.

Sri Lanka's central bank swaps rose to $3,870m while net foreign reserves after swaps fell to $2,210m by June. Analysts warn buy-sell swaps create contingent liabilities and heighten forex risk as recent rate cuts have reduced reserve accumulation, weighing on banks' FX exposure.

NDB Bank reopened a newly refurbished Privilege Centre at its Havelock Town branch and hosted an exclusive event for Privilege clients to showcase upgraded private-banking facilities and advisory services.

NDB Bank (NDB.N0000) opened a newly refurbished Privilege Centre at its Havelock Town branch and hosted an exclusive event for Privilege clients to showcase the upgraded private banking facilities. The initiative forms part of NDB's ongoing investments in premium customer experience, relationship management and digital banking services.

Colombo market closed higher as ASPI rose 0.25% with turnover of Rs. 7.56bn, boosted by a ~7% stake crossing in National Development Bank. Banking drove activity (67% of turnover) while several banks and financials including NDB, Capital Alliance and others led contributions.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.25% (49.77 pts) to 19,972.79, led by banks with NDB up LKR 3.50 on heavy turnover (NDB turnover ~LKR 4.49bn). John Keells was the top negative contributor, trading down LKR 0.40.

NDB Bank signed an MoU with Student in Aus Education Consultants on 25 July 2025 to provide tailored education loans, student file facilities, foreign remittance solutions and advisory services for Sri Lankan students. The partnership aims to streamline finance and support students through application, visa processing and international settlement.

National Development Bank's NDB Toastmasters Club held its 13th Executive Committee Installation Ceremony on Aug 6, 2025, inducting 14 new members and appointing Toastmaster Mohamad Fazlan as President for the 2025/26 term.

CSE director Ray Abeywardena said Sri Lanka's exchange rate stability is providing investor confidence and predictability. He credited prudent policy, improved external sector performance and steady foreign investment and tourism receipts for the stability.

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.

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.

Indrajit Wickramasinghe has been appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director of Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO.N0000). He is an ex-CEO of Union Bank with over 36 years' management experience and currently sits on the boards of Three Acre Farms, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Overseas Realty.

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.

Brand Finance published Sri Lanka's 100 Most Valuable Brands for 2025, ranking Bank of Ceylon top with a brand value of Rs.57,411m; Commercial Bank, Dialog and People’s Bank follow the top positions. The list covers firms across banking, telecoms, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality and other sectors.

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.

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.

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.

Colombo market closed July with ASPI up 9% for the month (ASPI YTD +23%) and S&P SL20 up 7.7% (YTD +18.5%), with average daily turnover in July at Rs.7.16bn. Banking-led activity saw HAYL, DFCC, BIL, NDB and COCR as key contributors while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.134m).