News & market updates

DFCC Bank launched Sri Lanka's first 20-year fixed-rate home loan, offering the 20-year fixed product from 13% and home loan rates starting at 9.5%. The product includes up to 30-year terms, personalised repayment plans and full disbursement in as little as ten working days.

Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC was formally honoured by Bangladesh Bank on 17 July for helping to prevent a $20 million fraudulent transaction in the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist. The ceremony recognised the bank's staff for vigilance and pledged deeper cross-border cooperation on financial crime prevention and cybersecurity.

Pan Asia Banking Corporation (PABC.N0000) was formally honoured by Bangladesh Bank on 17 July 2025 for helping prevent a US$20 million fraudulent transaction linked to the 2016 Bangladesh Bank cyber heist. Officials from both countries pledged to deepen cooperation on financial crime prevention and cybersecurity.

ASPI hit a record closing of 18,838.39, up 297.13 points (1.60%) on turnover of Rs. 9.49 billion. Banking-led activity (31% of turnover) drove the rise, with Sampath, Seylan (non-voting), Pan Asia, John Keells, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank among the top contributors.

Colombo market hit a record ASPI of 18,541 (up 380 pts, 2.09%) as turnover reached Rs.10.22bn, led by banking stocks and John Keells. Foreign investors were net sellers (net outflow Rs.1.2bn) and the banking sector accounted for 27% of turnover.

ASPI fell 0.23% (41 points) to 18,000 as profit-taking weighed on the Colombo market, led by declines in HAYL, CTHR, DOCK, GRAN and SAMP. Turnover was Rs.5.6bn with capital goods (notably JKH, AEL) and banking among top contributors; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.48.3m.

Colombo bourse rebounded as ASPI rose 0.8% (145 pts) to 18,142 on turnover of Rs.7.8bn, led by strong activity in Capital Goods and Banking; CTHR, DOCK, AEL, RIL and JKH were among top positive contributors.

Colombo stocks closed marginally down, with the ASPI falling 0.23% to 18,100 and the S&P SL20 down 0.22% to 5,347. Seylan Bank received in-principle CSE approval for a Rs15bn Basel III debenture issue, and Tal Lanka Hotels listed 32,228,524 ordinary voting shares after a private placement.

Government launches a Rs.6.5 billion concessionary loan scheme (1–15 Nov 2025) offering up to Rs.50 million per borrower at 7% interest to SME paddy millers and cooperatives to stabilise paddy prices; 15 state and private banks, including HNB, COMB, SAMP, DFCC, NDB, NTB, ABL, SEYB, CBNK and PABC, will disburse the funds.

Colombo market rallied as the ASPI rose 2% (a 344-point gain) to 17,536 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.66%, with turnover near Rs.6 billion. Capital Goods, Banking and Diversified Financials led activity; several listed names including John Keells, HNB Finance and Pan Asia saw strong participation and price gains.

Colombo market rebounded after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, with the ASPI up 2.5% (426 pts) and turnover Rs.5.2bn. Banking stocks and conglomerates led gains, with JKH, COMB, PABC and CFIN among the top contributors.

Colombo market lost Rs. 117 billion as the ASPI fell 1.9% (S&P SL20 -2.1%) amid Middle East tensions, with turnover Rs. 2.5 billion led by HNB, SAMP and EAST. Broad-based declines hit banking and capital goods counters, while foreign net inflows were small.

Colombo market sustained an all-time high as the ASPI closed at 17,500.24, up 105.79 points (+0.61%) with turnover Rs.2.85bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.19.3m. Banking-led activity and retail buying drove gains, with Hayleys Fabric, Ceylinco, Ceylon Cold Stores, HNB and Ceylon Tobacco among top drivers.

DFCC Bank says Sri Lanka banks are using excess US dollar balances to finance Indian firms via syndicated loans and GIFT City, with Hatton National, NDB, Seylan, Pan Asia, Commercial Bank and Sampath participating (e.g., Satin Creditcare's $100m GIFT City loan).

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.

IBM will collaborate with Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC to modernise the bank’s digital infrastructure and deliver faster, more secure banking services across Sri Lanka. IBM also expressed support for Sri Lanka’s 2030 digital strategy and highlighted new hybrid AI technologies to scale enterprise AI.

Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC modernised its technology with IBM's AI and hybrid cloud solutions, delivering a 40% boost in application performance, 50% faster deployment of new services, improved uptime and lower operational costs.

Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC upgraded its digital infrastructure with IBM AI and hybrid cloud solutions (Power10 servers, FlashSystem, Instana), delivering a 40% boost in application performance and 50% faster deployment of new services.

Colombo Bourse opened the week higher: ASPI +0.1% and S&P SL20 +0.3% with turnover Rs. 2.6bn, led by banking stocks (Pan Asia, Commercial Bank, Seylan, HNB) and gains in John Keells and C T Holdings.

Colombo bourse closed the shortened week with the ASPI up 2.9% and S&P SL20 up 3.5%, average daily turnover Rs.3.67bn, led by gains in JKH, LOLC, CARS, EBCR and SAMP; foreigners recorded a net inflow of Rs.157.2m.

Colombo stock market opened higher as the ASPI rose 0.41% (up 65 pts) to 15,917; turnover was about Rs.2.0bn while foreigners were net sellers with a Rs.262.5mn outflow. Market momentum was driven by blue-chips and mid-caps, with notable activity in capital goods and food & beverage names.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka launched the Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 on 05 May 2025, setting prioritized actions for 2025–2029 to strengthen ESG risk management and finance sustainable development across banks, non‑bank financial institutions, capital markets and insurance. The roadmap was developed with IFC and EU support.

The CSE opened May on a mixed note as turnover hit a new high of Rs. 6 billion while the ASPI rose 52 points to 15,852; crossings in CT Holdings and Cargills dominated activity, together accounting for the bulk of turnover. Banking and food retail stocks, including Pan Asia Banking and Lankem, were also among top contributors.

The SEC, with ADB technical support, released a regulatory framework enabling issuance and trading of Green, Blue, Social and Sustainability‑Linked (GSS+) bonds on the Colombo Stock Exchange, allowing sovereigns and corporates to raise capital for environmental and social projects.

Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC reported PAT of Rs.1.02 billion in 1Q 2025, up 180% with EPS of Rs.2.30. The bank posted a NIM of 4.62%, Stage 3 loan ratio of 2.79%, CET1 17.09% and strong liquidity (LCRs >210%).

ASPI rose 51.80 points (0.33%) to 15,851.74 as turnover hit Rs. 5.9bn, driven by Rs. 2bn crossings in C T Holdings and Cargills. Pan Asia Banking, C T Holdings, DFCC, Melstacorp and Nations Trust were top contributors while John Keells, HNB, Commercial Bank, NDB and Access Engineering weighed on the index.

The Trade Finance Association of Bankers held its 28th AGM on 19 February and re‑elected Shyam De Silva of Hatton National Bank as President; the body unveiled a new Vision/Mission and emphasised digital innovation, industry collaboration, global standards and professional development in trade finance.

ASPI fell 1.7% to 14,876 with the S&P SL20 down 2.4%; turnover was Rs.3 billion and there was a Rs.1 billion net foreign inflow led by John Keells (Rs.665m). Banking names (Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hatton) and Hayleys were among the main laggards while capital goods drove turnover.

The Colombo market closed marginally up with the ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.4% as turnover rose to Rs.2.14bn, led by Lankem Ceylon (LCEY) which accounted for about Rs.1.1bn. Capital goods and banking drove activity, with notable movers including HNB, SAMP, COMB, JKH and LIOC.