News & market updates

Colombo bourse opened June higher as ASPI rose 0.74% (125 pts) and S&P SL20 gained 1%, with turnover Rs.5.8bn and foreigners net selling ~Rs.3bn. Top turnover leaders were Access Engineering, Capital Alliance, Panasian Power, Commercial Credit and Alpha Fire, with banks and capital-goods stocks driving the rally.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.74% to 16,979.89 on Monday, led by gains in banking shares including Sampath Bank, DFCC Bank, NDB and HNB, with Access Engineering also among top contributors. Turnover was Rs 5.8bn and the S&P SL20 gained 1.07% to 5,034.92.

NDB Bank and John Keells Properties (John Keells Holdings) launched a 9.75% (fixed one year) home loan with 100% financing and no upfront payment exclusively for buyers at VIMAN Ja-Ela.

Colombo market closed the week higher as the ASPI rose 39 points to 16,855, led by gains in HAYL, CALH, COMB, NDB and RIL; total turnover was Rs. 5.2 billion and foreign investors recorded a net outflow of Rs. 441.6 million.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.23% to 16,854.86 on Friday despite US tariff-related uncertainty; S&P SL20 closed up 0.37%. Top contributors were Hayleys, Capital Alliance Holdings (strong debut), Commercial Bank and NDB, with turnover at 5.16 billion rupees.

NDB Bank will be Event Co-Sponsor for Royal College Rugby for the fourth consecutive year, reaffirming its ongoing support for the school’s rugby season. The partnership was announced at a press conference in Colombo ahead of the season and the Bradby Shield encounter.

Hatton National Bank saw a 9.99% stake divestment (45.9m shares) by Browns Investments via nine off‑board trades at Rs.305, driving turnover to Rs.18.7bn and lifting the ASPI ~1%. Banking counters led gains and accounted for 81% of turnover, with broad buying across banks and select FMCG names.

NDB Bank launched the NDB Mastercard debit card in collaboration with Mastercard to drive digital payment adoption and financial inclusion; the card offers international acceptance, enhanced security and an accessibility notch for visually impaired customers.

NDB Bank launched the NDB Mastercard debit card in collaboration with Mastercard to drive digital payment adoption and financial inclusion. The card is now available to eligible customers, offering international benefits, enhanced security and an accessibility notch for the visually impaired.

NDB Bank has been named the Official Banking Partner for the SLIM SME Development Awards (SMEDA) 2024. The partnership aims to support and promote SMEs across sectors such as IT/digital, exports, FMCG, hospitality and healthcare.

NDB Bank (National Development Bank PLC) is the Official Banking Partner for the SLIM SME Development Awards (SMEDA) 2024. The partnership supports and recognises SMEs across sectors including IT/digital, FMCG, exports, hospitality and health.

NDB Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SLIIT Business School to provide internships, industry-relevant training and collaborative research linking students with the bank's operations.

The Colombo market paused its upward run as the ASPI fell 0.37% and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.5%, while foreigners recorded a net inflow of Rs.170 million. Turnover was Rs.1.5 billion with top contributors John Keells, Commercial Bank and Hayleys and the banking sector leading activity.

National Development Bank PLC appointed Sanjaya Mohottala as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director. NORFUND representative Fay Piyachatr Chetnakarnkul resigned effective 16 May 2025; NORFUND holds a 9.97% stake in NDB.

NDB Bank (NDB.N0000) provided support for Myanmar earthquake relief, supplying first-aid kits, food, milk powder, solar lighting, generators and temporary tents in partnership with the Sri Lanka Amarapura & Ramanya Samagi Union.

NDB Bank partnered with Ananda College during Avurudu celebrations to introduce NDB Pixel, a digital banking product for 13–17-year-olds offering NEOS app access, a branded debit card, parental supervision, SMS alerts and real-time visibility to promote youth financial literacy.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court will accept online payments via the GovPay system, enabled through multiple bank and fintech apps including Commercial Bank, HNB, Seylan Bank, DFCC and NDB, eliminating the need for physical queues.

Supreme Court launched GovPay online payments on 15 May 2025, enabling real-time payments via multiple banking and FinTech platforms including ComBank, HNB, Seylan, DFCC and NDB. The move allows secure online payment of various court fees and aims to reduce cash transactions and queues.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.29% (208.80 pts) to 16,340.04 as mid-cap buying and stronger retail interest lifted the market, with Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank among gainers while NDB weighed on the index.

National Development Bank PLC reported Q1 2025 pre-tax profit of Rs. 4.0 billion (up 118% YoY) and PAT of Rs. 1.9 billion (up 168%); total assets rose 7% to Rs. 852.4 billion, loans grew 5% to Rs. 535.2 billion and CASA improved to 25.82%.

National Development Bank (NDB) posted 1Q2025 net profit of Rs 2.04bn, up 144% YoY (EPS Rs 4.79), driven by a 40% fall in impairment charges and a Rs 457.5mn reversal; pretax profit rose 125% and Tier I capital stood at 12.16%.

National Development Bank (NDB) reported pre-tax profit of Rs. 4.0 Bn for 1Q 2025, up 118% YoY. Post-tax profit rose to Rs. 1.9 Bn (+168%); total assets grew 7% to Rs. 852.4 Bn, loans up 5% and CASA improved to 25.82%.

ASPI rose 183.55 points (1.14%) to 16,314.79 as CSE turnover hit Rs.4.55 billion with over 180 million shares traded. Lanka Realty led activity (Rs.467m); JKH, LOLC and Commercial Bank saw heavy trading; Melstacorp, Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Aitken Spence helped drive gains while several counters including Dipped Products, Ceylon Grain Elevators, Industrial Asphalts and NDB fell.

NDB Bank will provide exclusive 100% home-loan financing for John Keells Properties' VIMAN Phase 3 in Ja-Ela. The 418-unit development is 75% sold, the project is due by 2027 and the financing offer is valid until September 2025.

National Development Bank PLC reaffirmed its Gold Loan offering with a market-low monthly interest rate of 0.88% and zero pawning/redemption service charges. The product includes flexible installment repayments, immediate redemption without notice, tech-driven gold valuation and is available across 99 branches.

NDB's wealth arm, NDB Wealth, announced it surpassed LKR 350 billion in assets under management. The firm held its Annual Sales Excellence Awards 2024 and highlighted its Xapp mobile investment platform.

NDB Wealth said it has surpassed Rs. 350 billion in assets under management and celebrated staff achievements at its Annual Sales Excellence Awards 2024. The firm highlighted its Xapp mobile investment platform and ongoing focus on product expansion and talent development.

Colombo stocks rose 0.28% as the ASPI closed at 15,961.59 after the exchange shut early at 12:30pm for local government voting. Major banks were mixed—Sampath, Commercial, DFCC and NDB gained while HNB and Seylan fell—and turnover dropped to 1.4 billion rupees.

Sri Lanka’s ASPI rose 0.41% to 15,916.69 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.57% to 4,664.82 as bank and mid-cap stocks strengthened ahead of local elections; HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC, NDB, John Keells and Lanka Milk Foods all closed higher.