News & market updates

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC (MBSL) recalibrated the MBSL Midcap Index effective 1 January 2026, setting the midcap market-cap range at Rs. 8.45 billion–Rs. 84.5 billion and selecting 25 constituents. New inclusions include Sierra Cables, Aitken Spence, Vallibel Finance, Lanka IOC, JAT Holdings and Prime Lands; Citizens Development, CIC, Ceylon Grain Elevators, John Keells, Hayleys Fabric, Teejay Lanka and Watawala Plantations were excluded.

Dividend · Rs 7.50 · XD Jan 8, 2026

First Interim dividend of LKR 7.5/share; XD 2026-01-08; record 2026-01-08; payable 2026-01-28; FY Ending 31st March 2026

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) said its total assets surpassed Rs.200 billion as of end-November 2025, up 40% (Rs.56.4 billion) since end-December 2024. The company reported Rs.178.2 billion in assets for the September quarter, retained earnings near Rs.16 billion and NAV Rs.357.92/share.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) dominated the 40th Mercantile Athletic Meet, finishing 5th overall with 165 points, winning the Championship Men and Women titles and claiming several meet records—including Overall Best Athlete – Men for a third consecutive year.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) clinched the B Division title at the 33rd Mercantile Services Basketball Tournament 2025, defeating HNB and completing an unbeaten six-game run.

Citizens Development Business Finance (CDB.N0000) has completed 25 Smart Computer Labs—one in each Sri Lankan district—benefiting over 10,000 students. Each lab is equipped with computers, a smart board, internet access and furniture as part of CDB's digital literacy CSR initiative.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) won six awards at the National Sales Awards 2025 — two Gold, two Silver, one Merit in the Financial Service Provider category and a Bronze in the Overall category.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) won six awards — including two Golds, two Silvers, one Merit and an Overall Bronze — at the National Sales Awards 2025, highlighting its recognised sales excellence.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) appointed Dr. Rasitha Wickramasinghe as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He is a strategy consultant with over 25 years' experience across US, European and Asian markets and holds a PhD and an MBA.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) sponsored the CDB September Monthly Medal 2025 at Royal Colombo Golf Club as part of its 30th‑anniversary events. Winners were V.T. Sundaralingam (Men’s Overall Nett 63), H.M.D. Bandaranayake (Ladies 63) and Yuvan Kanth (Junior 69).

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC rang the bell at the Colombo Stock Exchange on 9 Sept to mark its 30th anniversary. The company said total assets have grown over 17x since listing to over LKR 170 Bn.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) marked its 30th anniversary with islandwide celebrations and the opening of a CDB Heritage Pavilion. The events highlighted its people-centric culture, digital transformation initiatives and sustainability focus as a leading NBFI.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) marked its 30th anniversary with island-wide cultural and staff events, including a Sarwa Rathrika Pirith, Heel Danaya, a grand staff gathering and the opening of a CDB Heritage Pavilion. The company emphasised its people-centric culture, heritage and sustainability commitments.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) marked its 30th anniversary by ringing the opening bell at the Colombo Stock Exchange on 9 September. The company said total assets have grown over 17x since listing to more than Rs.170 billion, highlighting its digital transformation and growth.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) marked its 30th anniversary with cultural and corporate celebrations, including the opening of a CDB Heritage Pavilion. The company reiterated its status among the top-four NBFIs and highlighted its focus on digital transformation and sustainability.

Colombo market rebounded as ASPI rose 0.4% (S&P SL20 +0.6%) on turnover of Rs.11.87bn led by CT Holdings (Rs.3.6bn), Cargills (Rs.1bn), CDB, PickMe and Sierra Cables. Selected banks (HNB, NDB, NHL, BIL, DFCC) were top positive contributors while foreign investors were net sellers (Rs.2.6bn), with CT Holdings seeing net foreign selling.

Sampath Bank launched its API Banking platform and onboarded Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) as the first corporate client, enabling seamless, secure payments directly from CDB’s ERP system.

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.

Brand Finance published Sri Lanka's 100 Most Valuable Brands for 2025, ranking Bank of Ceylon top with a brand value of Rs.57,411m; Commercial Bank, Dialog and People’s Bank follow the top positions. The list covers firms across banking, telecoms, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality and other sectors.

NDB Bank has appointed Akila Bogahawatta as its dedicated remittance representative in Dubai to strengthen remittance support for Sri Lankan expatriates. The bank promotes multiple channels (Western Union, NDB Qik Remittance), global partners and a Remit Saver Account with digital tracking and preferential rates.

NDB appointed Akila Bogahawatta as its Dubai remittance representative to strengthen remittance services for Sri Lankan expatriates. The bank highlighted multiple channels and global partners (Western Union, Federal Exchange, UREMIT, Mastercard), agent partners including Sarvodaya Development Finance and CDB Finance, and products such as NDB Qik Remittance and the Remit Saver Account.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB.N0000) concluded Phase I of its Climate Transition Plan with IFC technical assistance and EU ACSIIS support, establishing a carbon baseline and net-zero framework. CDB will move to Phases 2–3 to scale sustainable finance products and design a carbon credit aggregation model.

Citizens Development Business Finance (CDB) won Silver in the Digital Transformation Project of the Year at the CIMA - JXG Pinnacle Awards 2025 for its in-house AI-powered Credit Decision Making System. The system integrates CRIB data via direct API, includes an AI vehicle-valuation module, and the company says it has improved credit quality, enabled risk-based pricing and expanded financial inclusion.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) won Silver at the CIMA–JXG Pinnacle Awards 2025 for its in-house AI-Powered Credit Decision Making System. The system uses CRIB API data and AI vehicle valuation to speed credit decisions, enable risk-based pricing, reduce defaults and expand financial inclusion.

ASPI fell 30 points to 17,997 as turnover hit Rs.7.63 billion, led by large crossings in LOLC Finance, L B Finance and Sampath Bank. Top turnover contributors included LOFC, JKH, Central Finance, Panasian Power and Sampath Bank, while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.3.4bn.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) launched CDB Self, a fully integrated digital wallet enabling QR payments, interbank transfers, card transactions, fixed deposits, bill splitting and cashback through online banking.

Colombo market closed the week with the ASPI up 4.6% (closed 17,873, +132pts) and daily turnover Rs.5.12bn; CTHR, JKH, SAMP, HNB and CDB were among top contributors, capital goods and diversified financials led turnover while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.441.5m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI hit a fresh record high, closing at 17,800 (up 0.75% / 132.28 points) on Friday, driven by gains in capital goods and banking stocks. Notable risers included C T Holdings, John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, CDB and Colombo Dockyard.