News & market updates

Fitch upgraded Siyapatha Finance PLC’s National Long-Term Rating to 'A(lka)' from 'BBB+(lka)' with a Stable outlook, citing stronger financials and steady support from its parent, Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000).

ASPI rose 0.1% yesterday but is down 3.8% so far in March; turnover fell to Rs. 792.5m, led by Food, Beverage & Tobacco (28%), Banking (20%) and Capital Goods (18%). Agarapatana, Hayleys, Hemas and Sampath were among gainers while Bukit Darah, C T Holdings, Access Engineering and NDB were notable laggards.

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat with the ASPI at 15,860.44 (-0.70 pts) and the S&P SL20 at 4,737.61 (+0.14%); turnover fell to 1 billion rupees and there was a net foreign inflow of 90 million rupees. Top contributors to the ASPI included Aitken Spence, Sampath Bank, Hemas Holdings and Melstacorp.

Colombo market rebounded as ASPI rose 151 pts (0.96%) to 15,861 on turnover of Rs.24bn, led by banking and blue‑chip gains; top contributors included COMB, HNB, SAMP, HAYL and JKH while BOGA, JKH and SAMP led turnover.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.96% to 15,861.14 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.07% as turnover was Rs 2.42bn with a net foreign inflow of Rs 49m. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath Bank, Hayleys and John Keells.

Colombo market fell 1.9% as the ASPI dropped 290 points to 15,711 on turnover of Rs.2.5bn, led by a selling spree; major negative contributors included HNB, SFCL, LOLC, COMB and HAYL. The banking sector accounted for 41% of turnover and its index lost 2.01%.

Sampath Bank will raise up to Rs.10 billion via Basel III-compliant Tier 2 listed unrated unsecured subordinated 5-year debentures with a non-viability conversion feature, initially issuing up to 50 million units at Rs.100 par paying 11.75% p.a., with options to expand to 100 million on oversubscription; issue opens 18 March.

Sampath Bank PLC signed an MoU with Indra Traders to offer concessionary vehicle leasing, insurance loans with no interest if repaid within two months, and 0% interest insurance payments over 12 months via Sampath credit cards.

Colombo market opened lower as the ASPI fell 0.71% (115 points) and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.69% amid low turnover of Rs. 824.6 million, with banks and blue-chip counters leading the decline.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.71% to 16,000.78 on Monday as turnover dropped to 824 million rupees, with bank and capital goods stocks leading the decline — top negative contributors included Chevron Lubricants, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and DFCC Bank. Most active volumes were in Browns Investments, R I L Property, Hela Apparel and HNB Finance, with a net foreign inflow of 16 million rupees.

Colombo bourse ended the first week of March lower, with the ASPI down 2.2% and the S&P SL20 down 2.5%; average daily turnover was Rs. 2.73bn and yesterday's turnover Rs. 2.18bn. Primary negatives included LLUB, SAMP, DFCC and COMB, while MELS, HHL and HNB were the top gainers.

ASPI fell 43 pts (0.27%) to 16,123 as turnover dropped to Rs.2.36bn. CTC, MELS, CCS and BIL were notable negatives while HAYL, SEYB, HHL and CARS led gains; John Keells dominated turnover and its share rose 10c.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed down 0.05% at 16,115.47 on mixed sentiment with thin turnover of 2.1 billion rupees. There was a net foreign outflow of 409 million rupees; top negatives included Sampath, DFCC and Commercial Bank while John Keells, Hemas and Melstacorp saw high volumes.

The ASPI rose 1.87% (about 296 pts) to 16,167 as the Colombo market staged a strong rebound and turnover doubled to Rs.5.18bn. The Banking sector led gains (Hatton, Nations Trust, National Development Bank, Sampath among top contributors) while capital goods and select stocks also saw heavy activity.

Sampath Bank PLC was named Runner-up in the Banking Category at the ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards 2024, recognising its ESG and sustainability reporting aligned with GRI, Integrated Reporting and TCFD.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 1.94% (308.22 pts) at 16,178.47 with turnover of Rs 5.17 billion despite volatility. Banks regained investor interest and top contributors included Sampath, HNB, Hayleys and Bukit Darah, while John Keells, Hemas, Nations Trust and Browns saw high volumes.

Fitch assigned Sampath Bank PLC's proposed LKR10 billion Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures a final national long-term rating of 'A(lka)'. The five-year debentures will be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and proceeds will be used to strengthen the bank's Tier 2 capital.

ASPI fell 1.84% (297 pts) to 15,870, turning YTD performance to -0.47%, with the banking sector leading losses and DFCC, HNB, SAMP, COMB and CINS the top detractors. Turnover rose to Rs.2.4 billion, with banking accounting for 41% of turnover.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.84% (297.05 pts) to 15,870.25, dragged by financials with Ceylinco (-7.4%), DFCC (-5.1%), HNB (-1.8%), Sampath (-1.9%) and Commercial Bank (-1.9%). Turnover was Rs 2.3bn (banks Rs 982m) and net foreign outflow was Rs 109m.

Colombo market opened March down with ASPI -1.9% and S&P SL20 -2.1%, turnover Rs.1.5bn; profit-taking in banks (led by HNB, COMB, NDB) drove the fall while CTC, SPEN and AHUN were among top positive contributors; foreigners net sold Rs.127.4m.

CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe urged banks to tighten controls ahead of Sri Lanka’s upcoming AML/CFT evaluation and said a mock assessment by Dr. Gordon Hook will be conducted in March 2025. Regulators and the FIU highlighted expanded AI, digital controls and staff training to boost detection and compliance.

Sampath Bank was named Runner-up in the Banking Category at the ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards 2024. The recognition highlights the bank's ESG and sustainability reporting, noting alignment with frameworks such as GRI, Integrated Reporting and TCFD.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 1.89% to 16,167 and the S&P SL20 fell 2.08% to 4,828 as investors realised gains after IMF news; selling was concentrated in banking counters. HNB, Commercial Bank, Sampath, NDB and DFCC fell while Nations Trust Bank rose about 7.98%.

ASPI rose 48 points (0.3%) to 16,479 on low turnover of Rs. 1.7 billion, led by gains in the banking sector. HNB, Commercial Bank and Sampath were top positive contributors (with CTC and LLUB also supportive) while CFIN, JKH and DFCC exerted downward pressure; banks accounted for 45% of turnover.

Sri Lanka stocks closed up, ASPI +0.29% to 16,478.67 and S&P SL20 +0.86% to 4,940.49, led by banks and Ceylon Tobacco. Top contributors were HNB, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, Ceylon Tobacco and Chevron Lubricants; turnover was Rs 1.7bn with a net foreign inflow of Rs 9.7m.

The ASPI rose 0.5% to 16,431 on low turnover of Rs.1.6 billion as bargain buying and month‑end flows supported a symbolic rebound; CINS, LOLC and COMB were top positive contributors while MELS and CFVF were among the main detractors.

Payable has processed over Rs.100 billion in transactions, and its strategic partnerships with Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath Bank, Seylan Bank and Nations Trust Bank have supported wider merchant adoption of digital payments in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 0.72% as renewed buying interest lifted the market, led by financials and with tourism stocks in focus; turnover was Rs 1.6 billion and there was a net foreign outflow of Rs 123 million.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) is the official banking partner for the 95th Battle of the Maroons, running 28 Feb–2 Mar at the SSC Grounds and has handed over the official sponsorship cheque. The bank's MD led the cheque presentation, reaffirming its support for school cricket development.

Sampath Bank showcased its WePay QR payment solution at the Central Bank's Digital Payments Promotion Campaign 2025, with CBSL officials demonstrating live QR purchases to highlight the bank's push for digital financial inclusion.