News & market updates

Sampath Bank commenced restoration of Dewagiriya Wewa in Melsiripura — its ninth tank restoration of 2025 under the ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ programme. The work will dredge sludge, rehabilitate the bund and clear channels to restore irrigation and community water supply for nearby farming villages.

Colombo Dockyard drove turnover and traded higher after India’s Mazagon Dock bought a 41.73% stake; the ASPI rose 0.76% to 23,803 with market turnover Rs9.81bn, of which DOCK accounted for Rs2.65bn.

Colombo market ended flat as the ASPI fell 0.02% to 23,623.74 with turnover near Rs.5.17 billion and foreign investors net sold about Rs.91 million. Top negative contributors were SFCL, JKH, BUKI, CTHR and DFCC, while DOCK, ACL and RHL led turnover and HAYL and DOCK supported index performance.

Colombo bourse opened the week down: ASPI fell 0.44% to 23,627.87 with foreign investors net sellers of ~Rs.697.9m and turnover ~Rs.4.7bn. Top negatives included DOCK, COMB, NTB, SAMP and SPEN, while ACL, Tokyo Cement, DIAL and REEF saw notable turnover/interest.

Sampath Bank PLC launched the "200 Women Startups Development Programme" under its Sampath Saviya initiative, hosting a large pitching event to identify, mentor and provide seed/equity funding and training to women-led businesses across Sri Lanka.

Sampath Bank PLC launched the '200 Women Startups Development Program' and held a large pitching event, aiming to support at least 200 women-led businesses and provide selected startups with seed and equity funding.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.39% to 23,639.43 on Monday, with Commercial Bank, Nations Trust Bank and Sampath Bank among the top negative contributors; turnover was Rs4.68bn and the S&P SL20 was down 0.21% to 6,546.35.

HNB CEO Damith Pallewatte said exceptional loan growth in 2025 and a shift from government securities to lending are squeezing bank margins, tightening liquidity and raising funding costs. He warned deposit and lending rates are rising and that vehicle imports and lower single-borrower limits are reshaping credit and capital markets.

SDB bank appointed Manoj Akmeemana as Deputy Chief Executive Officer; he brings over 35 years of experience in corporate lending, credit administration, recoveries and risk management and joins from Sampath Bank.

NDB Bank joined the ‘Revive Sri Lanka - Rising Stronger’ initiative at Kandy City Centre on 20 December to support SME/MSME recovery after Cyclone Ditwa. The event drew over 800 participants and included Commercial Bank, Sampath, DFCC and HNB among participating financial institutions.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.43% as the ASPI gained 100.90 points to 23,708.70, led by Dialog Axiata and gains in banks, capital goods and telcos; market turnover increased to Rs9.2bn.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon won Counter No.04 at Bandaranaike International Airport for Rs972.77m and Sampath Bank won Counter No.07 for Rs646.64m as part of cabinet-approved bids for six forex counters; contracts run for three years.

The inaugural Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025 set industry priorities and KPIs, recommending bank–fintech partnership frameworks, a national cloud policy, digital ID expansion, CBDC research and a target to reduce cash-in-circulation from 4.5% to 3.5% of GDP in three years. Sessions included CBSL, the Ministry of Digital Economy, BOI and banking leaders.

Colombo market opened lower as the ASPI fell 0.19% (45.79 pts) to 23,608.51 on turnover of Rs.5.2 billion and a net foreign outflow of Rs.35.4 million. The session saw selling pressure weighing on DOCK, RICH and banks (HNB, SAMP) while JKH, RCL, COMB and PLR were among notable buying/turnover contributors.

Seminar on safeguards under the amended Companies Act No. 12 of 2025 will be held on 27 Jan (2–5pm) at NH Collection, Colombo 3. Organisers say the amendments place new responsibilities and stricter penal sanctions on company secretaries and directors; speakers include HNB and LOLC Insurance chairs.

Opposition MP Faiszer Musthapha warned amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act would allow the Port City Commission to issue offshore banking licences outside the Banking Act, creating shadow-banking and systemic risk. He said permitting Port City offshore banks to borrow from domestic banks and lower capital requirements could strain FX reserves and disadvantage local banks.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI closed 45.79 points lower at 23,608.51 (down 0.19%) after earlier reaching an intraday high, with market turnover falling to 5.2 billion rupees. Colombo Dockyard, HNB and Sampath Bank were the top negative contributors.

Sri Lanka launched its first Smart Bus Ticketing System enabling contactless cards, digital wallets and QR payments, implemented by Ceylon Business Appliances with Nimbus and partnered banks including Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and DFCC Bank.

Colombo bourse closed the week up 3.45% as the ASPI rose 0.54% yesterday to 23,654.30, with the market gaining about Rs. 264.8 billion in value for the week and daily turnover over Rs. 8.5 billion; top contributors included JKH, COMB, VONE, CARS and NTB.

Central bank lending to banks rose to Rs48 billion on Jan 08 as state banks faced a severe cash crunch, raising liquidity concerns. Analysts warned the government's 'domestic buffer' withdrawals could strain interbank markets, prompt central bank accommodation and pressure interest rates, inflation and the rupee.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.54% on Friday and 3.45% over the week, led by gains in John Keells, Commercial Bank, Vallibel One, Carson Cumberbatch and Nations Trust Bank. Market turnover fell to 8.5 billion rupees and Renuka Agri Foods and Sampath Bank recorded crossings.

NDB Bank participated in the "Revive Sri Lanka | Rising Stronger" initiative on 20 December at Kandy City Centre, joining over 800 participants to support SME/MSME recovery after the DITWA cyclone. The event brought together major banks (Commercial, Sampath, DFCC, HNB) and highlighted public-private collaboration and NDB's SME digital banking focus.

Colombo market gained Rs.89.4bn as the ASPI rose 1% to 23,527.13, leaving it 133 points short of the record. Turnover was Rs.12.3bn with real estate (37%) and banking/diversified financials (32%) leading activity while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.1.7bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, with the ASPI rising 0.97% to 23,520, led by Wealth Trust's strong debut and gains in bank stocks. Top contributors included HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC and Central Finance, with turnover at LKR 12.32 billion.

Colombo market rose for a ninth straight session as the ASPI gained 1.21% to 23,292.91, with market turnover about Rs. 6.6bn; banking counters led activity and top positive contributors included HNB, COMB, JKH, NDB and SAMP.

Colombo stocks rose as the ASPI gained 1.21% to 23,292.91 and the S&P SL20 hit a six-week high of 6,379.11, led by gains in HNB, Commercial Bank, John Keells, NDB, Sampath Bank and Lanka IOC.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) signed an MoU with Link Natural Products on 26 Nov 2025 to partner under the Sampath Saviya agri-entrepreneurship programme to develop model medicinal-crop hubs, provide farmer training and ensure assured buyback markets for growers.

CT Smith said the Colombo bourse hit record highs in 2025, with the ASPI up 42% YoY to 22,624 and the S&P SL20 up 27% YoY to 6,157. Net foreign outflow was Rs. 38,563mn, average daily turnover rose to Rs. 5,181mn, with net foreign buying in DIAL, PKME and RICH and selling in JKH, CTHR and HNB.

Colombo market rose as the ASPI gained 0.66% (150.67 pts) to 23,014.75, with market value up Rs.58.89 billion and turnover ~Rs.5.8 billion. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, ACL Cables, Dipped Products, Carson Cumberbatch, LOLC and Sampath, and foreigners were net buyers (~Rs.87.8m).

Colombo Stock Exchange rose 0.66% as the ASPI closed 150.67 points higher at 23,014.75. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, Carson Cumberbatch, ACL Cables, LOLC and Sampath Bank; turnover rose to 5.7 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 87 million rupees.