News & market updates

Dhammika Fernando was re-elected chairman of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association for 2026/2027 and urged policy reforms, faster approvals and improved ease of doing business to support exporters and sustain investment and employment.

Fintech Forum and UnionPay are driving adoption of digital payments in Sri Lanka, supporting the regulator‑approved 2024 National Card initiative to expand card usage. UnionPay has expanded local issuance since 2019 with partners including Commercial Bank and highlights QR adoption and reduced cash costs (~1.5% of GDP) as goals.

Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament that a multi-billion rupee fraud at National Development Bank has extended to involve 5–7 other banks and 4–9 non-banking financial institutions, blaming a 'systematic failure of accountability' by the central bank.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the All Share Index fell 0.33% to 21,844.54. National Development Bank (+3.41%), Nations Trust Bank (+1.65%) and Janashakthi Insurance (+8.74%) led gains, while Dialog Axiata (-2.47%), John Keells (-1.02%) and Melstacorp (-1.14%) were top decliners; Cargills Bank listed 294,200,000 rights shares raising Rs.2,500,700,000.

NDB Bank shares fell 15.13% to Rs.110.75 after the CSE lifted a trading suspension related to a Rs.13.2 billion fraud. Over 4.1m NDB shares traded (Rs.455m); most peer banks rose but the banking index fell 0.8%, with NDB the largest negative contributor to a 67.05-point ASPI drop.

President Dissanayake chaired a meeting with bank and financial institution heads to promote the National QR Payment Promotion Initiative; CBSL Governor Weerasinghe said shifting from ATM cash services to the new digital method will cut banks' ATM costs and provide a more efficient, secure payment option.

John Keells Foundation and City of Dreams Sri Lanka completed auditions and selected a local cast for the West End–licensed musical La Bamba – Song of Veracruz, with performances set for 24–28 April at The Forum, City of Dreams. Tickets are available via Cinnamon Box Office with a 10% early-bird discount for Nations Trust Bank American Express and Mastercard holders.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a meeting with bank and financial institution heads to launch the National QR Payment Promotion Initiative and seek banking sector support for rapid adoption. The Central Bank said the shift will reduce ATM cash transaction costs and offer a more efficient, secure payment method.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) hosted the 'Beyond Ordinary - Nations Business Advisory' event in Kurunegala to provide regional businesses with macroeconomic and tax-reform insights and practical guidance on cost optimisation, competitiveness and digital banking.

Russell Peters performs tonight (31) at 6 p.m. at the Lumina Ballroom, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Colombo as the grand finale of his 'Relax' World Tour. The one-night show is presented by AMC with partners including Cinnamon/City of Dreams and Nations Trust Bank; tickets from Rs.25,000.

Daraz Sri Lanka launched its Avurudu Wasi campaign (27 Mar–8 Apr) offering Rs.50 million in vouchers, free delivery and discounts up to 85%, plus Brand Rush Hour deals from 60 brands. Payment partners include Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, DFCC and Nations Trust Bank, and Dialog is a participating brand.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher, ASPI up 0.71% to 21,571.61, led by consumer durables and apparel with Teejay Lanka contributing Rs.546.8 million to morning turnover. Commercial Bank and Nations Trust Bank were top positive contributors; National Development Bank was the top negative contributor.

Colombo Stock Exchange jumped as ASPI closed up 3.79% at 21,868.85 and the S&P SL20 rose 3.81% to 6,134.23. Top positives included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, John Keells and Hayleys; turnover was Rs.6.41bn with highest activity in food, beverages & tobacco.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) hosted the Beyond Ordinary – Nations Business Advisory forum in Colombo to provide businesses with economic insights, advisory perspectives and panels on macroeconomic outlook, export readiness, ESG and digital transformation.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) partnered with the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) to support Sri Lankan exporters by offering networking, knowledge-sharing and customised commercial banking and digital trade solutions.

John Keells is presenting the international West End production La Bamba at The Forum, Cinnamon Life in Colombo this April, produced with the John Keells Foundation and in association with Nations Trust Bank. The run includes seven performances and a 10% early-bird discount for Nations Trust Bank AmEx and Mastercard holders.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) has partnered with the National Chamber of Exporters to support Sri Lankan exporters through networking, knowledge-sharing, recognition and business enablement programmes. NTB will combine its financial and digital banking solutions to help exporters access finance, markets and advisory support.

Sri Lanka's banks will operate shorter hours on Wednesdays to conserve fuel, with most branches open 9:00–13:00; Commercial Bank and Nations Trust Bank have issued islandwide notices (Commercial Bank: mini/supermarket branches 9:30–15:00, others 9:00–13:00; NTB also suspends Saturday services).

The CSE fell as the ASPI dropped 4.45% (1,009.36 pts), wiping Rs. 348.6 billion amid Middle East tensions and oil topping $100/bbl. Banking shares including COMB, HNB, HAYL and NTB were leading negatives while capital goods and crossings by MELS, ACL and AEL drove turnover.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB.N0000) will absorb HSBC's Sri Lanka retail banking operations from 1 May 2026 following the Rs. 18 billion sale, with a planned systems migration causing a temporary service blackout from 7 p.m. on 30 April; customers will receive new NTB cards, accounts and instructions ahead of the transition.

New private sector borrowing from Sri Lanka’s banking sector fell to Rs. 82.6 billion in January 2026, an 11-month low, while domestic commercial bank lending dropped to Rs. 108 billion (nine-month low); total outstanding private sector debt rose 26.3% YoY to Rs. 10.3 trillion.

Daraz Sri Lanka’s 3.3 sale runs 2–7 March with up to 85% off, free delivery and Rs. 20 million in vouchers. Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, LOLC Finance and Sampath Bank are listed as partner banks offering sitewide card offers and installment plans up to 36 months.

Senior bankers at the Association of Professional Bankers convention urged caution, prioritising balance-sheet discipline—liquidity, capital buffers, and managing interest-rate and FX exposure—over rapid expansion. Speakers also highlighted selective growth, risk-adjusted returns, and greater use of digital capability and sustainable debt instruments.

Dividend · 1:115.38 at Rs 343.44 · XD Mar 5, 2026

Dividend; XD 2026-03-05; record 2026-03-05; payable 2026-03-18; FY 31st December 2025

Colombo stocks closed in red, with the ASPI down 0.39% (92.40 pts) to 23,690.62 and the S&P SL20 down 0.71% to 6,681.12 on turnover of nearly Rs.3.7bn. Price losses in John Keells, Melstacorp and Nations Trust Bank were key negatives while ACL Cables, Access Engineering and Dialog were top turnover names.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) reported Profit After Tax of LKR 19.3Bn for FY2025, up 15% YoY, supported by 50% loan growth and a NIM of 6.05%. The bank holds strong capital ratios (Tier 1 19.61%) and received CBSL approval to acquire HSBC Sri Lanka’s retail operations, due Q2 2026.

Banks across Sri Lanka are intensifying AML/CFT controls ahead of the country's third mutual evaluation, warning a negative outcome would damage financial credibility and access to funding. Leading banks such as DFCC and HNB report system upgrades, AI-backed transaction monitoring, stronger KYC/UBO processes and mock evaluations.

Dividend · Rs 3.50

Dividend of LKR 3.5/share; FY 31st December 2025