Company filings and market news from across Sri Lanka's stock market.
Gold prices in Sri Lanka fell by around Rs.20,000 today. At the Colombo Pettah market a 22-carat sovereign is Rs.322,000 (down from Rs.379,200 on Friday) and a 24-carat sovereign is Rs.350,000 (down from Rs.410,000).
Sri Lanka's central bank and the National Gem & Jewellery Authority have urged gem and jewellery dealers to appoint a compliance officer and submit a declaration form to meet AML rules, warning that failure to comply may lead to penalties from the FIU/central bank.
Local gold prices hit record highs, with a pound of 22-carat at Rs. 379,200 and 24-carat at Rs. 410,000. Traders said the surge was driven by upward movement in international gold prices.
Colombo ASPI rose 0.56% to 22,416.15 on Thursday, led by gains in Hemas Holdings, Sampath Bank, Vidullanka and Diesel & Motor Engineering, with market turnover of 8.8 billion rupees.
Sri Lanka Police seized Rs. 3,902 million in organised-crime assets between 2021 and 2024 and Rs. 730 million so far in 2025. Seized items include 354 gold sovereigns, 72 vehicles, 35 houses, Rs. 670 million cash and about 37 acres; police screened 5.7 million people (26% of the population) and arrested 4,802 wanted suspects YTD to 13 Oct 2025.
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.
Janashakthi Finance PLC (BFN.N0000) opened its 38th branch in Kalmunai, expanding its presence in the Eastern Province. The new branch will offer lending, savings, micro-finance, gold loans, Islamic finance and digital banking services and is a subsidiary of Janashakthi Limited (JXG.N0000).
Sri Lanka's ASPI closed flat at 22,321.08 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.30% to 6,207.37 with turnover of 5.68 billion rupees; top contributors were Dialog Axiata, C T Holdings, Ambeon Holdings and Harischandra Mills (all up). Gold hit a record high amid US-China tariff threats.
Sri Lanka's consumption loans, the largest banking credit segment at 2.3 trillion rupees, rose 11% year-on-year to June 2025, driven by a 140.5% surge in leasing and hire-purchase (vehicle) loans after import controls were relaxed. Personal loans grew 25.3%, pawning and credit-card portfolios expanded, and consumption-loan NPLs fell to 4.0% from 5.0%.
Central Bank's Financial Stability Review says the private sector credit-to-GDP gap turned positive in mid-2024 and widened through 2025, with private sector credit at 28.6% of GDP and total regulated credit up 14% y/y by end-Q2 2025. Finance companies' lending rose 35.1% y/y and banks' lending 11.4% y/y; CBSL flagged the widening gap as a potential accumulation of systemic risk despite low rates and improving credit conditions.
Janashakthi Finance PLC opened its 38th branch in Kalmunai, expanding its retail footprint and offering lending, savings, microfinance, gold loans, Islamic finance and digital banking services to the Eastern region.
Central Bank released the Financial Stability Review 2025, reporting improved financial-sector resilience in H1 2025 with rising private credit, lower interest rates, stronger bank profitability and capital, and subdued financial stress. The report also notes rupee depreciation, a strong stock market and increased demand for Treasury bonds.
A 22-carat gold sovereign in Colombo’s Pettah market rose to over Rs. 303,000 as global spot gold topped $4,000/oz for the first time; 24-carat sovereign also rose to Rs. 328,000, reflecting local currency pressure and record international bullion prices.
Gold surged past $4,000 an ounce to a record, with spot at $4,011.18 and U.S. futures at $4,033.40, driven by safe-haven demand, central bank buying and expectations of US Fed rate cuts.
Gold rose to an all-time high above $3,900/oz, with spot at $3,956.19 and an intraday peak of $3,969.91, driven by growing bets on a Fed rate cut and global political and economic uncertainty. Prices are up about 50% year-to-date amid central bank buying and a weaker dollar.
LOLC Finance PLC was upgraded to an A+ (Stable) rating by Lanka Rating Agency. LRA cited market leadership and strong metrics — ~Rs.430bn assets (~20.5% of industry), PAT Rs.25.1bn (+16.4%), CAR 25.9%, gross NPL 7.3%, and improved core spread to 11.6%.
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.
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.
Mahindra Ideal Finance Ltd opened a new branch in Gampola on 18 September 2025 — its 37th branch — offering vehicle leasing, SME/business loans, revolving and gold loans, and fixed deposits to expand access to finance in the Central Province.
Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.33% (72.70 pts) to 21,851.30, while the S&P SL20 gained 0.20% to 6,138.79. Top contributors included Melstacorp (173.50), Hemas Holdings (33.50) and Diesel & Motor Engineering (2,184.75); market turnover was 6.5 billion rupees.
Mahindra Ideal Finance Ltd opened a new branch in Gampola on 18 September 2025, its 37th branch. The branch will offer multi-brand vehicle leasing, business and SME loans, revolving loans, gold loans and fixed deposits as part of the company's regional expansion.
Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.47% to 21,778.60, led by gains in Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO.N0000), Bukit Darah (BUKI.N0000), Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS.N0000), Melstacorp (MELS.N0000) and Watawala Plantations (WATA.N0000).
Lanka Rating Agency upgraded Vallibel Finance (VFIN) to A- from BBB-, citing strong growth and asset quality after VFIN crossed Rs.100 billion in assets in FY24/25. Net interest income rose 15.9% to Rs.8,118m and net income grew 22.8% to Rs.2,629m, with the loan book expanding and plans to open 13 branches and diversify services.
Softlogic Finance (CRL.N0000) reinforced its capital with a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 47.9% and reported a profit of Rs.145.13 million for the year ended March 31, 2025. The company is fully compliant with Central Bank requirements and will pursue growth across leasing, gold loans, vehicle loans and digital services under a refreshed leadership team.
Colombo ASPI rose 0.36% to 21,598.99, led by gains in Dialog Axiata, Hemas Holdings, Ceylon Grain Elevators, Sunshine Holdings and Kelani Cables, with market turnover at 6 billion rupees.
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.
Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.26% to 21,338.45, led by financials and capital goods, with Ceylinco Holdings, L B Finance, Hayleys, Central Finance and Commercial Bank among the top contributors.
The Colombo ASPI rose 0.67% to 21,226.87, led by gains in John Keells, C T Holdings, Senkadagala Finance and Commercial Bank.
Bhutan plans the Gelephu Mindfulness City as a Special Administrative Region to combine spirituality with sustainable economic development, covering up to 1 million acres and targeting tourism, health and wellness, agritech, green energy, digital assets (a gold-backed 'TER') and aviation.
Asia Asset Finance (AAF) opened two branches in Murunkan and Palali, taking its network to 107 branches as it celebrated its 55th anniversary and 15 years of presence in the Northern Province. The A+ Fitch-rated lender offers gold loans, leasing, mortgages and the LuckEwallet digital app.