News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat with the ASPI at 20,715.49 (+0.69) and market turnover of 10.52 billion rupees. Top contributors included Dialog Axiata, Sunshine, Royal Ceramics, Co-operative Insurance and Ambeon, while most banking stocks — including Commercial Bank, Sampath and HNB — closed lower.

Sampath Bank (SAMP) has onboarded Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) as the first corporate client on its new API Banking platform, enabling direct secure payments processing from CDB’s ERP system.

ASPI rose 143.73 points to 20,714.80 as turnover hit Rs.11.1bn, led by banking stocks and conglomerates with top contributors JKH, HNB, SAMP, BUKI and NDB. Banking accounted for 39% of turnover and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.1.1bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, ASPI +0.70% to 20,714.80, driven by sustained investor interest in banks and diversified financials. Top contributors included John Keells, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Bukit Darah, National Development Bank and HNB Finance, with market turnover Rs11.14bn.

ASPI rose 100.55 pts to 20,571 and the S&P SL20 topped 6,000 as turnover hit Rs.10.8–10.9bn, led by banking stocks; key contributors included Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Carson Cumberbatch, Sampath Bank and Bukit Darah, while Digital Mobility Solutions also saw heavy trading.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) was named Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank and Best Commercial Bank at the World Finance Banking Awards 2025, marking the 11th consecutive year it has won these titles.

Sampath Bank's fully owned subsidiary Siyapatha Finance opened its 56th branch in Mahiyanganaya, offering leasing, deposits, gold financing, business and personal loans and Smart Pay services.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) was named Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank and Best Commercial Bank by World Finance at the 2025 World Finance Banking Awards, marking the 11th year it has won these dual honours.

S&P SL20 crossed 6,000 for the first time, rising 58.46 points (0.97%) to close at 6,055.92; the ASPI also hit a record 20,571.07 (up 100.55 points, 0.49%) with turnover over Rs.10.8 billion.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.49% to 20,571.07, led by gains in Commercial Bank (up LKR 7.75 to 197.50), HNB (up LKR 13.50 to 399.00), Carson Cumberbatch (up LKR 102.25 to 848.25) and Sampath Bank (up LKR 2.25 to 145.00). Turnover rose to LKR 10.8 billion with volume 234,578,423.

Colombo bourse rose 252.16 points (1.25%) as ASPI closed at 20,471 with turnover Rs.7.74bn; banking sector led turnover (28%) and top contributors included COMB, CARS, MELS, JKH and DFCC, while some stocks (e.g. PKME) fell.

MetroCorp raised its stake in National Development Bank to 4.7% after buying 2.58% of the lender's voting stock. Softlogic Life Insurance sold 31.7 million NDB shares for 4.4 billion rupees, which were bought by MetroCorp and investor Indra Silva (who holds stakes in Commercial Bank, Sampath and Hatton).

Colombo market hit a record as the ASPI rose 289.69 points (1.45%) to close at 20,218 on turnover of Rs. 9.54bn. Banks led activity (bank sector +2.78%), with top contributors including COMB, DFCC, LOLC, NTB and SAMP.

The ASPI rose 1.45% to 20,218.36, led by banking stocks after interim results. Commercial Bank profits +101% to 15.9bn, HNB +37% to 11.74bn, Nations Trust +11% to 4.7bn, NDB -6% to 2,447m and Sampath -17% to 6.7bn.

Sampath Group reported PBT of Rs.26.0bn and PAT of Rs.15.6bn in 1H 2025, up 32% YoY, and group total assets exceeded Rs.2.0 trillion for the first time. Sampath Bank's gross loans surpassed Rs.1.033t and deposits rose to Rs.1.6136t, while NII/NIM fell on lower AWPLR but non‑fund income and a Rs.2.4bn exchange gain supported profits.

Sampath Bank posted 1H2025 PBT of Rs 24.4 Bn and PAT of Rs 14.7 Bn, up 32% y/y, and the Sampath Group's total assets surpassed Rs 2.0 Tn. NII and NIM fell ~6% and 66 bps respectively amid lower AWPLR, while non-fund income rose 122% and impairment charges declined.

COYLE and JETRO launched the Sri Lankan Corporate Health and Productivity Awards (SLCHPA) 2025, with Sampath Bank as the principal sponsor; applications are open until 31 October and the awards will be held in February.

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI fell 0.23% (47 pts) to 19,929 with turnover around Rs.7.1bn and foreign net selling of Rs.28.5m amid profit-taking. Transportation led turnover (20%) driven by Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, while banking contributed strongly with activity in Sampath Bank and HNB.

Colombo stocks closed down as the ASPI fell 0.23% to 19,928.67 with turnover of Rs 7 billion, including a Rs 1.4 billion trade in PickMe; Lanka Ventures rose while Hayleys, Sampath Bank, Central Finance and NDB were top decliners. Sampath Bank's interim profits fell 17% to Rs 6.7 billion in the June quarter.

Sampath Bank reported a 17% drop in net profit to Rs 6.7 billion in the June 2025 quarter (EPS Rs 5.72), citing higher operating expenses. Interest income fell as lending rates were reduced while loans, deposits and group assets grew in H1.

COYLE and JETRO launched the Sri Lankan Corporate Health & Productivity Awards 2025 at Shangri-La Colombo on 13 August, with Sampath Bank as the principal sponsor. Applications are open and submissions close on 31 October 2025.

Sampath Bank is the principal sponsor of the Sri Lankan Corporate Health & Productivity Awards (SLCHPA) 2025, launched by COYLE with JETRO on 13 August. JETRO joins as a strategic partner and applications for the awards are open until 31 October 2025.

Sri Lanka's central bank swaps rose to $3,870m while net foreign reserves after swaps fell to $2,210m by June. Analysts warn buy-sell swaps create contingent liabilities and heighten forex risk as recent rate cuts have reduced reserve accumulation, weighing on banks' FX exposure.

Sampath Bank has partnered with Bancstac to launch Alipay+ payment acceptance for brick-and-mortar and e-commerce merchants in Sri Lanka, enabling payments from Alipay and partner wallets with direct US dollar settlement to merchant foreign-currency accounts.

Colombo market closed higher as ASPI rose 0.25% with turnover of Rs. 7.56bn, boosted by a ~7% stake crossing in National Development Bank. Banking drove activity (67% of turnover) while several banks and financials including NDB, Capital Alliance and others led contributions.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.25% (49.77 pts) to 19,972.79, led by banks with NDB up LKR 3.50 on heavy turnover (NDB turnover ~LKR 4.49bn). John Keells was the top negative contributor, trading down LKR 0.40.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) has partnered with Bancstac to roll out Alipay+ payment acceptance for Sri Lankan brick-and-mortar and e-commerce merchants, enabling payments from China and partner-wallet markets. The service supports over 25 payment partners and 1.5 billion accounts and allows direct US dollar settlement into merchant foreign-currency accounts.

CSE director Ray Abeywardena said Sri Lanka's exchange rate stability is providing investor confidence and predictability. He credited prudent policy, improved external sector performance and steady foreign investment and tourism receipts for the stability.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run its 8.8 Brand Prix Sale from 8–15 Aug with over 18,000 deals, brand launches and bank payment discounts (up to 15%) and Daraz vouchers (up to 9%) to drive consumer purchases. Major FMCG and electronics brands, plus partner banks, are participating.

Daraz Sri Lanka is running the 8.8 Brand Prix Sale from 8–15 Aug with over 18,000 deals, bank partner discounts (Commercial, DFCC, HNB, NTB, Sampath) and brand participants including Singer, plus exclusive launches and vouchers across Daraz Mall.