News & market updates

The Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council led a trade and investment mission across Canada (28 Oct–14 Nov) that opened pathways for cooperation in tourism, agriculture, IT, finance, education and research, and explored an investment forum and diaspora-led initiatives including an OCSL visa discussion.

A Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council–led delegation completed a trade and investment mission in Canada (28 Oct–14 Nov 2025) to advance partnerships across agriculture, IT, finance, tourism and education. Discussions covered banking and insurance cooperation, agri‑tech and food security, medical tourism, an OCSL visa scheme and plans for investment forums and trade fairs.

An Indian FATF Cell delegation visited Sri Lanka from 12–14 Nov 2025 to deliver a second phase capacity-building programme for the Central Bank and other regulators on financial supervision, VASPs and digital payments; further virtual sessions and follow-up visits are planned.

Softlogic Life Insurance PLC reported Gross Written Premiums of Rs. 28.2 billion for the nine months to 30 Sep 2025, up 29% YoY, with PBT of Rs. 3.3 billion and PAT of Rs. 2.3 billion. The firm posted ROE of 24% and CAR of 298%, paid Rs. 13.5 billion in claims and completed the acquisition of Allianz Life Insurance Lanka.

Softlogic Life Insurance PLC reported GWP of Rs. 28.2bn for the nine months to 30 Sep 2025, up 29% y/y, with PBT Rs. 3.3bn, PAT Rs. 2.3bn, assets Rs. 59bn, equity Rs. 11.6bn, ROE 24% and CAR 298%. The company completed the acquisition of Allianz Life, paid Rs. 13.5bn in claims (98% settled within a day) and holds a 36% health insurance market share.

Richard Pieris Finance Limited reports steady growth and a Fitch credit rating of 'A(lka) Outlook Stable', and is pursuing digital transformation and product expansion including gold loans and the Sarumaga mortgage solution.

Janashakthi Group reported consolidated 1H FY26 net profit of Rs. 3.4 billion and revenue of Rs. 15.8 billion (up 43.6% YoY). Subsidiaries First Capital, Janashakthi Insurance and Janashakthi Finance delivered strong NPAT and portfolio growth driven by investment-banking, underwriting and leasing activity.

Union Assurance (UAL.N0000) released its Suwamaga Impact Report showing the CSR programme delivered free diabetes screenings to more than 23,000 people across all 25 districts, achieving 155% of its 15,000 target. The report found 76% of those referred for HbA1c were diabetic, nearly 3% were newly diagnosed and 71% reported positive behavioural change.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Softlogic Life Insurance PLC (AAIC.N0000) won the 'AI Initiative of the Year' award at the 29th Asia Insurance Industry Awards 2025. Its InstaClaim AI cut claim settlement times from five days to minutes, processing ~500,000 claims annually and supporting Rs.11.1bn in 2024 payouts with an 82% productivity gain.

Union Assurance celebrated over 65 Partnership Distribution IROs who qualified for MDRT status for 2024, including two Top of the Table and 14 Court of the Table qualifiers. The event was held at Hilton Colombo and Union Assurance is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH).

Sri Lanka sold 63.12 billion rupees of Treasury bills out of 86 billion offered, with yields mostly flat across maturities. 3M 7.52% (4.02bn sold), 6M 7.91% (45bn offered all sold), 12M 8.03% (-1bp, 14.09bn sold); bids 167.576bn; settlement Nov 21.

Softlogic Life Insurance PLC (AAIC.N0000) won the 'AI Initiative of the Year' at the 29th Asia Insurance Industry Awards 2025. Its AI-driven InstaClaim platform has cut claim settlement times from five days to minutes and handles around half a million claims annually.

Corporate Capital Market Ltd. has launched Retire360, a retirement-planning solution for Sri Lankans aged 35–50 that offers three lifestyle pathways and builds personalised investment plans using insurance products, equities, debentures, fixed deposits and (soon) real estate.

Delmege Insurance Brokers, a Vallibel One subsidiary, saw COO Chathura Kehelpannala win Best Health Insurance Adviser and place first runner-up in Property Insurance at the Global Insurance Excellence Awards 2025.

Senthilverl Holdings increased its stake in Serendib Land PLC to 38.3% by buying 12.85% from Janashakthi Insurance for nearly Rs.77 million (51,094 shares at Rs.1,500 and 158 shares at Rs.1,580–1,651.50). Serendib Land reported an unaudited NAV of Rs.1,797.83/share as of 30 June and its public float was under 11%.

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd. held its Annual Sales Awards 2024, recognising top-performing sales staff and attracting over 400 participants at Cinnamon Life, Colombo.

Janashakthi Life, a subsidiary of Janashakthi Limited (JXG), rewarded its high performers with a trip to Bali as it celebrates its 31st anniversary.

HNB General Insurance grew 21% in the nine months to 30 Sep 2025, recording GWP of LKR 8.18bn and raising market share from 6.8% to 7.2%. Total assets grew to LKR 11.15bn, FUM to LKR 6.9bn, fire & engineering GWP rose 33%, and a parallel SLFRS 17 run is underway for 2026 adoption.

Vallibel One PLC's subsidiary Delmege Insurance Brokers saw its COO Chathura Kehelpannala win Best Health Insurance Adviser at the Global Insurance Excellence Awards 2025. He was also 1st runner-up in Property Insurance and Delmege was ranked No.1 in overall insurance brokering for 2023–2024 by the IRCSL.

Sanasa Life Insurance Company PLC announced a rights issue of up to Rs.522.7 million — 52,267,278 shares at Rs.10 each on a 1-for-2 basis — to strengthen its solvency; the offer is subject to SEC and Insurance Regulatory Commission approvals.

HNB General Insurance reported 21% business growth for the nine months to 30 Sep 2025, with GWP of Rs. 8.18bn and market share rising to 7.2% (from 6.8%). Net claims rose 3%, total assets reached Rs. 11.15bn and the company is running a SLFRS 17 parallel ahead of full 2026 adoption.

Ceylinco Life opened a purpose-built, company-owned three-storey branch in Nittambuwa (5,750 sq ft), its 34th company-owned building, featuring a 100% self-sufficient solar electricity system and multiple water- and energy-saving green features.

The weekly Treasury Bond auction was fully subscribed for the first time in seven weeks, with Rs. 80 billion offered drawing bids 2.73 times the amount on offer. Weighted average rates at the auction reflected firm sentiment amid a rally in secondary-market yields.

NITF, Sri Lanka’s sole reinsurer, swung to a PBT loss of Rs. 361.92 million in 1H2025 from a Rs. 1 billion profit a year earlier; underwriting profit of Rs. 746.4m in 1H2024 became a Rs. 538.3m underwriting loss by June 2025. The Central Bank says this signals stress in the reinsurance subsector and is key to insurance-sector stability.

Fairfirst Insurance hosted the Fairfax Asia Summit 2025 in Colombo, the first time the summit was held in Sri Lanka. Sessions focused on insurance industry topics including financial readiness and digital progress and featured speakers such as JKH chair Krishan Balendra.

Sanasa Life Insurance proposes to raise Rs522 million via a rights issue of 52,267,278 ordinary shares at Rs10 each to bolster the company's solvency; the issue is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Ceylinco Life opened a purpose-built, company-owned three-storey branch in Nittambuwa (5,750 sq ft) featuring a 100% solar electricity system. The new 34th company-owned branch includes rainwater harvesting, a sewerage treatment plant for recycling, energy-efficient systems and prefabricated construction.

Sri Lanka sold Rs80 billion of government bonds—Rs35bn of 01 July 2030 at an average yield of 9.56% and Rs45bn of 15 June 2035 at 10.69%; both bonds are available on tap and settle on Nov 17.