News & market updates

Sri Lanka's top 100 brands rose 17% to a combined Rs652bn, surpassing the 2019 peak of Rs630bn, says Brand Finance's Sri Lanka 100 2026 report. Banking accounted for 42% (Rs275bn) of the total; BOC remained most valuable while Commercial Bank, Sampath, Nations Trust, Dialog, Keells and PickMe all saw brand value gains.

Brand Finance's Sri Lanka 100 2026 report shows the combined value of the nation's top 100 brands rose 17% to a record LKR652 billion, surpassing the 2019 peak; banking brands account for 42% (LKR275bn). Several listed firms including Commercial Bank, Dialog, Sampath, Nations Trust, PickMe and John Keells recorded brand-value gains.

Brand Finance's Sri Lanka 100 2026 report: the combined brand value of the top 100 Sri Lankan brands rose 17% to a record Rs. 652 billion, surpassing the 2019 peak. Banking brands account for 42% (Rs. 275bn) of the total; several banks and digital brands posted double-digit gains.

John Keells Holdings reported Group EBITDA up 26% to Rs.16.35 billion for Q1 ended June 30, 2026. Profit attributable to equity holders was Rs.62 million (vs a Rs.804 million loss a year earlier) and underlying profit excl. net exchange losses was Rs.1.95 billion, led by Transport, Property and Consumer Foods, with Nations Trust Bank supporting Financial Services performance.

The CSE opened higher with the ASPI up 0.07% at 21,187.22 and the S&P SL20 up 0.10% at 5,948.74; market turnover exceeded Rs.2bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.15.7m). John Keells, Hayleys and HNB were key contributors while capital goods and banking led turnover.

CSE indices rose modestly and turnover reached Rs.2.07 billion, led by John Keells Holdings with Rs.661 million traded; ASPI closed up 14.48 pts at 21,187.22 and S&P SL20 gained 6.18 pts to 5,948.74.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat, ASPI up 0.07% to 21,187.22 with turnover of 2.07 billion rupees; capital goods led turnover at 866 million rupees.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) says sustainability is a core strategic imperative, citing its successful Rs. 10 billion Sustainability Bond issuance and its decision to exclude coal financing. The bank urged board-level governance, better climate data and alignment with CBSL’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 and the SLSBI to integrate sustainability across Sri Lankan banks.

ASPI fell 0.29% to 21,145.73 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.03% to 5,945.01; turnover exceeded Rs.3.2bn with foreign net inflow of Rs.79.8mn and a Rs.2.3bn crossing in Cargills driving volume. Negative contributors included CINS, COMB, RICH, CARS and HARI; Melstacorp, NTB and HNB were also active.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.22% (47.45 pts) to 21,160.65 with turnover Rs 3.28bn, led by food & staples retailing and large crossings dominated by Cargills. Dialog, John Keells, Aitken Spence and Lanka Ashok Leyland were top gainers while Ceylinco Insurance, Harischandra Mills and HNB were top losers.

The George Keyt Foundation and the British High Commission will present "19th Century Views of Ceylon" at Westminster House from July 30 to Aug 1, 2026; British Airways is the primary partner and Nations Trust Bank is a supporting sponsor.

Visa hosted the Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Conclave on 25 June 2026, convening banks, government and regulators to address AI-driven cyber threats, fraud prevention and Visa's security solutions. Participants stressed threat intelligence, real-time response and information sharing.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB.N0000) appointed Ananda Jayawardana as an Independent Non-Executive Director; he brings 25+ years' experience in leveraged & structured finance, debt capital markets and corporate banking.

Union Bank CEO Dilshan Rodrigo said SMEs are understating revenues and profits—banks often reconstruct financials and find turnover about 40% higher—hindering cash-flow lending. He urged stronger audit standards, independent SME credit ratings and deeper capital markets for long-term SME finance.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB.N0000) appointed Ananda Jayawardana as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He brings over 25 years' experience in leveraged and structured finance across Asia, with senior roles at Standard Chartered and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Bank of Ceylon launched BOC Flex – Tap & Pay, Sri Lanka's first mobile banking wallet-based contactless payment solution on 9 July 2026. The wallet uses virtual cards, auto top-up and NFC support to enable contactless POS and online payments, boosting digital payments and competitive pressure on other banks.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index fell 141.27 points (0.64%) to 21,821 at midday. Nations Trust Bank said its Basel III-compliant Tier-2 debentures will be listed on July 8 with 5-, 7- and 10-year tranches paying 13.75%, 13.85% and 13.95% respectively.

Daraz Sri Lanka launches its 7.7 Super Savings Sale from 6 July (8 PM) to 17 July, offering vouchers worth Rs. 50 million, free delivery and discounts up to 80%. Brand partners include Hemas, and Commercial Bank and NTB cardholders get extra discounts during Brand Rush Hour and the campaign.

Nations Trust Bank PLC (NTB) opened its 34th quarterly conversion window allowing holders of ordinary non-voting convertible shares as at 30 September 2026 to convert into ordinary voting shares; applications must be submitted by 5 October 2026 and conversions will be completed within 22 market days.

Colombo Stock Exchange was flat midday with the ASPI up 0.03% at 22,229.37 and banks leading turnover at LKR 279.8m; Singer Finance said its total assets surpassed LKR 100 billion in Q1 2026/27.

Yevan David climbed from 28th to 19th in the FIA F3 Sprint Race at the Red Bull Ring but his Feature Race ended on the first lap after contact; his racing is supported by DIMO and Nations Trust Bank.

Nations Trust Bank PLC allotted the full 150 million Basel III-compliant Tier 2 debentures, raising the maximum Rs.15 billion after exercising an oversubscription option. The unsecured, subordinated five-, seven- and 10-year debentures include a non-viability conversion feature; 112.5m were allotted preferentially.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat (ASPI +0.01% to 22,409.81) on Friday with market turnover of Rs1.91bn. Top contributors included DFCC, Melstacorp and Central Finance while John Keells, Access Engineering, Haycarb and Aitken Spence lagged; Nations Trust Bank announced allotment of its Basel III Tier 2 debenture issue and its shares closed at Rs318 (-0.08%).

NCQP 2026 was held on 17 June in Colombo with 2,000+ delegates from 100+ organisations and 450 improvement teams; the Sunil G. Wijesinha QC Circle Excellence Awards went to Team ThreadX (MAS Bodywear) and Team Saviya (Elastomeric Engineering).

Nations Trust Bank PLC's Basel III-compliant Tier 2 subordinated debenture issue attracted applications worth Rs.19.56 billion, oversubscribing the maximum Rs.15 billion issue (~1.3x). The five-year Type A tranche drew strongest demand (173.71m debentures), with subscriptions via cheques/RTGS and bank guarantees.

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).

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) will open subscriptions on 19 June for a Basel III-compliant Tier 2 debenture issue aiming to raise up to Rs. 15 billion (initial Rs. 10bn, option to add Rs. 5bn). Three fixed-rate tenors offer annual coupons of 13.75% (5y), 13.85% (7y) and 13.95% (10y), paid annually.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) will list Rs15 billion of Basel III-compliant tier-2 debentures with coupons of 13.75%, 13.85% and 13.95%; Fitch rated the issue BBB+(lka) and subscription opens on June 19.

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.