Company filings, disclosures and news on Sampath Bank PLC (SAMP), Major Banks on the Colombo Stock Exchange, tagged by theme and scored for sentiment.
Sampath Bank has partnered with KOKO to launch the KOKO Merchants Credit Facility, providing eligible merchants on KOKO's digital platform access to financing for inventory, working capital and expansion; credit remains subject to Sampath Bank's eligibility, assessment and final approval.
The Association of Professional Bankers ran a CPD event preparing Sri Lanka's banking sector for its APG mutual evaluation (on-site 26 Oct-6 Nov 2026) that will assess AML/CFT/PF technical compliance and effectiveness. Speakers urged a shift from documentation-led checks to outcome-focused, risk-based controls.
Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka to 'B-' and restructured 2036/2038 bonds rallied to about 103 cents on the dollar. Standard Chartered and the Central Bank said Sri Lanka should aim to return to international capital markets before the IMF program ends in March 2027 while avoiding aggressive borrowing.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.14% to 21,037.35 on subdued trading with turnover 814.88 million rupees, led by the banking and diversified financials sectors. Separately WindForce said six of its project companies won bids to develop 28 MW and 144 MWh of BESS requiring ~944 million rupees equity.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally down with the ASPI slipping 0.09% to 21,066.89 on turnover of Rs1.31bn. Institutional crossings supported positions in PickMe, Access Engineering, Dipped Products and Sampath Bank, while Harischandra Mills appointed a new chair effective Sep 23, 2026.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally down, the ASPI fell 0.09% to 21,066.89 with market turnover at Rs1.31 billion. Institutional crossings were seen in PickMe, Access Engineering, Dipped Products and Sampath Bank; notable contributors included Carson Cumberbatch, Commercial Bank, Hayleys and Lion Brewery, and Harischandra Mills appointed a new chairperson.
DFCC Bank's 2026/2031 Tier-2 debenture issue was oversubscribed with 117 applications for 147,682,500 debentures valued at 14.768 billion rupees, above the 12.50 billion rupee target. Colombo indices were modestly higher (ASPI +0.14% at 21,162.87; S&P SL20 +0.05% at 5,950.18) with turnover of 43.57 million rupees.
Siyapatha Finance PLC opened its 67th branch in Wennappuwa (Puttalam District). Siyapatha, the largest fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC (SAMP.N0000), will offer leasing, deposits, gold financing, business and personal loans and bill-payment services and holds a Fitch 'A(lka)' Stable rating.
Colombo Stock Exchange edged lower as the ASPI slipped 0.07% (down 15.72 pts) to 21,246.41 while the S&P SL20 was flat at 5,976.82. Top movers included Namunukula (+12.37%), Co-operative Insurance (+3.03%) and HNB (+0.20%); Printcare fell 5% after a board-recommended rights issue and Asia Asset Finance listed converted shares.
Sampath Bank PLC was named Sri Lanka's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026. Its 'Wewata Jeewayak' programme invested LKR 63.7 million in 11 tank restoration projects in 2025, benefiting 14,780 people and rejuvenating 3,370 acres of paddy land.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower, with the ASPI down 0.24% (51.79 pts) at 21,262.13 on Rs2.23 billion turnover. SMB Finance, Watawala, Sampath Bank and Lion Brewery were top positive contributors while Dialog, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank led declines; a mandatory offer for Industrial Asphalts fell through after the SEC refused a share transfer due to the company being on the CSE watchlist.
Sampath Bank PLC has taken over Anilana Hotels’ Pasikuda and Nilaveli properties under the Recovery of Loans by Banks Act; Anilana has ongoing court challenges and says a prospective investor has offered Rs. 1.2 billion to settle with the bank.
Sampath Bank PLC has taken over Anilana Hotels' resorts in Nilaveli, Trincomalee and Passikudah under the Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) Act; Anilana is contesting the move in court and says a prospective investor has offered Rs. 1.2 billion.
Sampath Bank PLC was named Sri Lanka's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026. Its 'Wewata Jeewayak' programme invested Rs.63.7 million in 2025 to restore 11 irrigation tanks, benefiting 14,780 people and rejuvenating 3,370 acres of paddy land.
Colombo Stock Exchange indices edged up (ASPI +0.06% to 21,327.69) as Vidullanka subscribed Rs100 million in Vidul Biomass II to develop a 6.6MW Medawachchiya Dendro Power Project, with total cost $16.1m and a ~Rs1.3bn equity commitment.
Colombo market opened lower as the ASPI fell 69 points (-0.3%) and the S&P SL20 dropped 8 points (-0.1%). Turnover was Rs.1.5bn (above last week's Rs.1.4bn), foreigners were net sellers of Rs.94.7m, with declines led by ASIR, CCS, SPEN, DIAL and others.
Sampath Bank acquired Anilana Hotels' properties in Nilaweli, Trincomalee and Passikudah under the Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) Act. Anilana has filed two cases challenging the acquisition and says a prospective investor offered LKR 1.2 billion and has applied to compromise in court.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.32% to 21,313.92 with market turnover Rs 1.55 billion and banks leading turnover at Rs 309.87 million. Movers included Carson Cumberbatch, Commercial Bank, Central Finance and Watawala (up) and Dialog, Aitken Spence, LOLC and Ceylon Cold Stores (down); Anilana said Sampath Bank acquired its hotel properties and is contesting the action in court.
The Colombo Stock Exchange ended the week up 0.12%, with the ASPI rising 25 points to 21,382.74 after snapping a three-day losing streak. HAYC, CARG, SAMP, LOLC, SEMB and DIMO were top positive contributors; turnover was Rs.1.1bn and foreign investors were net sellers of ~Rs.50.5m.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher with the ASPI up 0.12% (25.00 pts) at 21,382.74 and the S&P SL20 up 0.19% at 6,015.08, on turnover of 333 million rupees. Galle Face Capital Partners received in-principle CSE approval to list up to 4,060,218 new ordinary shares via a scrip dividend; its shares closed down 2.45% at 19.90 rupees.
Fitch assigned Sampath Bank PLC's proposed LKR10 billion Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures an expected National Long-Term Rating of 'A(EXP)(lka)'. The five- and seven-year notes, to be listed on the CSE, are intended to qualify as Tier 2 capital to support capital adequacy and include a non-viability conversion clause.
Sampath Bank PLC appointed Dilip de S Wijeyeratne as Deputy Chairman, effective 10 September 2026. He has served on the bank's board since 2018 and brings extensive banking, treasury, risk and governance experience to support Sampath Bank's technology, data and AI-driven strategy.
Sampath Bank appointed Dilip de S. Wijeyeratne as Deputy Chairman effective 10 September 2026. Wijeyeratne, a senior banking and finance professional with nearly eight years at Sampath Bank and roles at Singer, Hayleys Fibre and Janashakthi Insurance, will support the bank's strategic, data and AI initiatives.
Sampath Bank appointed Dilip de S Wijeyeratne as deputy chairman, effective Sept 10. Wijeyeratne, who has been with Sampath since 2018 and holds directorships at Singer, Hayleys Fibre and Janashakthi Insurance, will support the bank's push on data-driven decision-making and AI.
Colombo Stock Exchange indices fell on Friday, with the ASPI down 0.23% (48.25 points) to 21,309.49 and the S&P SL20 down 0.03% to 6,002.36 on turnover of Rs221.65 million. Top negatives included Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, Royal Ceramics and Ceylon Tobacco; Ramboda Falls announced a Rs0.50 interim dividend (XD Sept 21).
Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower, the ASPI fell 0.44% (−93.55 points) to 21,372.45 with market turnover at LKR 1.45 billion and banks leading turnover at LKR 600.63 million. Senthilverl Holdings bought 750,000 shares of Sarvodaya Development Finance, raising its stake to 10.28% (SDF shares LKR 39.60, down 3.41%).
CSE closed down 0.38% (ASPI −81.43 pts to 21,542.23) as heightened selling amid Middle East tensions and rising global oil prices weighed on sentiment; turnover topped Rs.1.4bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.13.6m. Top negatives were CINS, BREW, CARS, SAMP and JKH; insurance led turnover (23%).
Colombo Stock Exchange was marginally higher at midday: ASPI +0.08% (up 17.12 pts) to 21,559.35 and S&P SL20 +0.02% to 6,055.99. Market turnover was Rs125.6m led by retailing; Lake House (LPRT) announced a Rs4.00/share final dividend and its shares rose 5.68%.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.38% (81.43 pts) to 21,542.23 with market turnover Rs 1.466 billion and insurance stocks leading turnover at Rs 339.59 million. Notable movers included HNB, Cargills, Vidullanka and NDB (gainers) and Ceylinco Insurance, Sampath and Nations Trust (laggards); NTB reconstituted its Board Audit Review Committee.