News & market updates

Commercial Bank, DFCC, HNB, NDB, Sampath Bank and Seylan partnered with Home Lands at its Home Lands EXPO 2025 to offer up to 100% financing, including the Wealth Builder plan with no down payment, to support purchases of Home Lands projects.

IMF and G20 participants urged greater transparency and faster restructuring of non-bonded commercial loans to ease sovereign debt stress, highlighting risks for banks with exposures in vulnerable countries such as Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.36% to 22,292.28 while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.43% to 6,198.82; top decliners included Sampath Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, John Keells and C T Holdings, and Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance was the biggest gainer. Market turnover was 5.6 billion rupees.

The Reserve Bank of India has allowed Indian banks and their Sri Lanka branches to lend to Sri Lankan customers denominated in Indian rupees, widening credit access and reducing exchange-rate risk for Sri Lankan businesses.

Sri Lanka's banks cut foreign borrowings and boosted FX deposits and investments, lifting net foreign‑currency assets 42.5% y/y to USD 1.5bn at end‑Q2 2025. D‑SIBs (84.8% of these investments) and banks including Sampath Bank and HNB financed foreign governments and firms via sovereign securities and syndicated loans.

Sampath Bank signed an MoU with Home Lands to offer a 0% equity financing solution funding 100% of the purchase price for eligible Home Lands buyers, removing the need for an initial down payment.

Sampath Bank signed an MoU with Home Lands to offer a 0% equity financing solution that funds 100% of the purchase price for eligible buyers of Home Lands properties, removing the need for an initial down payment.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended its rally into a 15th session as the ASPI rose 0.31% (68.34 pts) to 22,163.23 with turnover of Rs. 7.95 billion. SAMP, BREW, MELS and SPEN were top positive contributors while foreign investors were net sellers (Rs. 223.3m outflow).

Sri Lanka's All Share Price Index rose 0.31% to 22,163.23 while the S&P SL20 gained 0.07% to 6,191.54. Top contributors were Lion Brewery, Aitken Spence, Melstacorp, Ceylon Beverage and Sampath Bank; L B Finance filed to raise up to Rs20bn via senior and subordinated debentures.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon CIO Sumudu Gunawardhana urged banks to join the Fintech Forum to strengthen bank–fintech partnerships and grow wallet share. He said fintechs provide agility while banks offer trust, scale and compliance support to expand digital financial services and improve cybersecurity.

Colombo market rally extended to a 14th session as the ASPI closed at 22,094.89, topping 22,000 for the first time with turnover around Rs.9.7–9.8 billion. Banking and diversified financials led turnover (Commercial Bank, Pan Asia, Lanka Credit & Business Finance among top contributors) while foreigners were net sellers.

Sri Lanka's stock market closed higher with the ASPI at 22,094.89 (up 0.65%) and S&P SL20 at 6,187.51 (up 0.64%), led by Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, Dipped Products, Hayleys and Commercial Bank; market turnover was LKR 9.7bn. Nations Trust Bank announced conversion of non-voting to voting shares for Q4 2025.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) is the only bank featured as a case study in the Sri Lanka edition of Philip Kotler’s Essentials of Modern Marketing, highlighting its touchless cash withdrawal innovation introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mathisha Bhadrika Don Hewavitharana will become CEO of Siyapatha Finance PLC, effective October 1; Siyapatha Finance is a subsidiary of Sampath Bank. Hewavitharana is currently chief strategy officer and has over 20 years' experience in financial services.

Sampath Bank led a Rs. 33.5 billion syndicated loan for the Ceylon Electricity Board. The facility, arranged alongside Nations Trust Bank and Pan Asia Bank, is intended to cushion CEB's debt restructuring and support its ongoing power supply operations.

Siyapatha Finance, the largest fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank, launched an islandwide school-level tree-planting and art project planting 20 Mee trees at each of 20 schools to mark its 20th anniversary.

Colombo bourse rose as the ASPI gained 0.86% (closing at 21,521) with turnover of Rs. 9.29 billion, led by banking-sector activity and top contributors SAMP, CTC, CFIN, SFCL and DIST. Nations Trust Bank fell, while Jetwing Symphony, Ceylon Hotels and Hemas recorded gains.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.86% to 21,521.06 on Thursday, driven by continued interest in banks and financials. Top contributors included Sampath Bank, Ceylon Tobacco, Central Finance, Senkadagala Finance and Distilleries Company; turnover was 9.3 billion rupees.

Sampath Bank led a Rs. 33.5 billion syndicated loan for the Ceylon Electricity Board, joined by Nations Trust Bank and Pan Asia Bank, to support CEB's debt restructure and ongoing operations.

Sampath Bank PLC appointed Sanjaya Gunawardana as its new Managing Director/CEO, succeeding Ayodhya Iddawela Perera whose term ended on 23 September. The bank says it has integrated AI-powered machine learning models into core banking operations to boost efficiency, risk management and data-driven decision-making.

Hatton National Bank hosted the inaugural Sri Lanka FinTech Summit 2025 at BMICH, where Visa launched 'Visa Accept' in Sri Lanka to enable merchants to accept card payments via smartphones without extra hardware. The two-day forum gathered regulators, banks, startups and policymakers to discuss digital payments, blockchain, AI and financial inclusion.

Hilton Colombo will host Oktoberfest for the 32nd consecutive year from 6–15 November 2025, featuring Bavarian food, music and nightly events. Tickets range from Rs. 7,588 to Rs. 10,888, with Sampath Bank credit card holders eligible for discounts (15% Sun–Tue, 10% Wed–Thu).

Sanjaya Dias Pujitha Gunawardana has assumed duties as managing director and chief executive officer of Sampath Bank, effective today. The stock-exchange filing shows he holds 6,148 shares; the bank highlights his 36+ years' experience and focus on digital/AI initiatives.

The Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI rose 0.26% to 21,282, led by gains in diversified financials, banks and capital goods. Top contributors included Hayleys, LOLC, Browns Investments, DIMO and Ceylon Cold Stores, with turnover Rs6.56bn and a net foreign inflow of Rs61.38m.

Sampath Bank ran a ten-day door-to-door campaign and a five-day stall at the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Festival, engaging over 200,000 attendees. Visitors could scan QR codes at the stall to learn about the bank's financial products and services.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.57% to 21,085, led by Sierra Cables and diversified conglomerates; market turnover was Rs 6.5bn with Sierra Cables contributing Rs 1.2bn. Top index contributors included John Keells, Hayleys, Sierra Cables, Melstacorp and Aitken Spence; net foreign inflow was Rs 58.21m.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has joined GovPay, enabling tourism operators to pay the Tourism Development Levy and other SLTDA services online via banks' internet/mobile banking and connected FinTech apps. The initial rollout covers TDL payments with phased expansion planned.

SLTDA has joined GovPay, enabling Tourism Development Levy and other SLTDA payments to be made online via 14 banks and six FinTech apps (including major local banks and L B Finance's CIM). GovPay, launched Feb 2025, has processed 1,773 services totalling over Rs.110 Mn and will expand to more SLTDA payments.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 264 points (1.3%) and the S&P SL20 gained 1.2% on turnover of Rs.6.2bn. Banks and hotel counters led gains (COMB, SAMP, HNB, SPEN, DFCC), capital goods and utilities drove turnover, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.270.8m.