News & market updates

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) signed an MoU with Indra Traders to offer vehicle leasing with competitive interest rates, tailored repayment plans and a 50% waiver on documentation charges; the promotion runs 6 June–31 December 2025.

DFCC Bank says Sri Lanka banks are using excess US dollar balances to finance Indian firms via syndicated loans and GIFT City, with Hatton National, NDB, Seylan, Pan Asia, Commercial Bank and Sampath participating (e.g., Satin Creditcare's $100m GIFT City loan).

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI slid 0.23% to 17,394.45 on Friday as profit-taking trimmed turnover; S&P SL20 fell 0.21%. The index was weighed down by Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Cargills, Browns Investments and Commercial Bank, while Teejay Lanka rose after outlining tariff coping strategies.

Colombo market stayed at an all-time high as the ASPI rose 82 points (0.47%) on turnover of Rs.5.6bn, led by heavy activity in John Keells, Hemas, Browns Investments, People’s Leasing and Lanka Milk Foods; foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.41.4mn and capital goods and diversified financials led turnover.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run its 6.6 Mid-Year Sale from June 6–10 with discounts up to 85%, free shipping and over Rs.20 million in vouchers. Several banks — Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, NDB, Sampath and Hatton National — are payment partners offering extra savings and instalment plans.

ASPI rose 234 points (1.4%) to 17,214 on turnover of Rs.7.37bn, led by banking stocks with HNB, SAMP and COMB among top contributors. Turnover was 72% above the monthly average and foreigners recorded a net outflow of about Rs.273.6m.

Colombo's ASPI rose 1.38% to 17,214.39, hitting an all-time high led by gains in banking stocks including Commercial Bank, Sampath, DFCC, Central Finance and HNB. Turnover rose to 7.3 billion and the S&P SL20 closed up 1.91%.

Colombo market closed the week higher as the ASPI rose 39 points to 16,855, led by gains in HAYL, CALH, COMB, NDB and RIL; total turnover was Rs. 5.2 billion and foreign investors recorded a net outflow of Rs. 441.6 million.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.23% to 16,854.86 on Friday despite US tariff-related uncertainty; S&P SL20 closed up 0.37%. Top contributors were Hayleys, Capital Alliance Holdings (strong debut), Commercial Bank and NDB, with turnover at 5.16 billion rupees.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI rose 0.33% and the S&P SL20 0.19% on turnover of Rs.4.3 billion, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.162.7 million. Hemas, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence, Sampath and Digital Mobility were top contributors; John Keells and Hatton National Bank fell.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.33% (55.24 pts) to 16,712 on Wednesday with turnover of 4.2 billion rupees; top contributors were Hemas, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence, Dialog Axiata and Sampath Bank, while John Keells weighed on the index after a 71% profit decline.

NEXT Ventures has launched NEXT Ventures Lanka, a new Colombo hub providing 24/7 BPO support, payroll, technical assistance and R&D for its global fintech operations; guests from Dialog, SLT, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank attended and signed strategic partnership agreements.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon will offer education loans to Alpha Business School students covering 75% of course fees up to Rs 10 million, repayable up to seven years with a two-year grace period. The facility targets professional qualifications (ACCA, CFA, AFM, CIA) for local and overseas study, available to employed and unemployed students.

Hatton National Bank saw a 9.99% stake divestment (45.9m shares) by Browns Investments via nine off‑board trades at Rs.305, driving turnover to Rs.18.7bn and lifting the ASPI ~1%. Banking counters led gains and accounted for 81% of turnover, with broad buying across banks and select FMCG names.

A 10% stake transfer in Hatton National Bank (HNB) drove Colombo Stock Exchange gains: ASPI rose 0.98% to 16,657.63 and turnover surged to 18.7 billion rupees, with the HNB trade contributing 14.4 billion; HNB closed at 319.50 (up 17.25).

Colombo's All Share Price Index closed up 0.01% at 16,496.24 after a volatile session. Large-cap banking stocks including John Keells, Sampath, HNB and Commercial Bank fell and weighed on the market, while exporters such as Teejay Lanka and Hayleys Fabric rose marginally after a US trade-talks invite.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) and MD/CEO Sanath Manatunge were named 'Best Managed Bank' and 'Best Bank CEO' in Sri Lanka by The Asian Banker for 2022–2024. The recognition cites capital infusions (Rs 22.54bn rights issue, Rs 20bn debenture), digital reach (1.5m users, Rs 4tn transactions) and SME leadership.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) and MD/CEO Sanath Manatunge were named ‘Best Managed Bank’ and ‘Best Bank CEO’ in Sri Lanka by The Asian Banker for the 2022–2024 period. The citation highlights leadership through macro volatility and notes achievements including a Rs.22.54bn rights issue, a Rs.20bn debenture, and the ComBank Digital platform surpassing 1.5 million users and Rs.4tn in transactions.

Foreign investors were net buyers with a Rs. 510.4 million inflow as the ASPI rose 0.12% and turnover was Rs. 2.43 billion; key contributors included John Keells, Vallibel One, Commercial Bank, Dialog and others.

The Colombo market paused its upward run as the ASPI fell 0.37% and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.5%, while foreigners recorded a net inflow of Rs.170 million. Turnover was Rs.1.5 billion with top contributors John Keells, Commercial Bank and Hayleys and the banking sector leading activity.

Colombo Bourse opened the week higher: ASPI +0.1% and S&P SL20 +0.3% with turnover Rs. 2.6bn, led by banking stocks (Pan Asia, Commercial Bank, Seylan, HNB) and gains in John Keells and C T Holdings.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed 0.11% higher (ASPI 16,397.79) as investor confidence lifted stocks, led by gains in Hatton National Bank, John Keells, Seylan Bank, C T Holdings and Commercial Bank; turnover was 2.61 billion rupees.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched its second Agri Modernisation Village in Vavunathivu, Batticaloa, partnering with the Eastern University and Batticaloa Department of Agriculture to provide training, technology (transplanting machinery, drone use) and improved access to credit for local farmers.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon won the 'Best Cross Border Salience – Large and Mid-Market' award from Visa at the Visa Commercial Solutions Excellence Awards 2025. The bank cited accelerated rollout of advanced commercial card solutions (real-time FX visibility, dynamic controls, automated reconciliation) that drove double-digit growth in inbound and outbound Visa transactions among large and mid-market clients.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon won Visa’s 'Best Cross Border Salience – Large & Mid Market' award at the Visa Commercial Solutions Excellence Awards 2025 for its cross-border commercial card solutions, which delivered real-time FX visibility, dynamic controls and fueled double-digit growth in Visa transactions.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court will accept online payments via the GovPay system, enabled through multiple bank and fintech apps including Commercial Bank, HNB, Seylan Bank, DFCC and NDB, eliminating the need for physical queues.

Colombo market gained further momentum as the ASPI rose 1.15% (183.5 pts) with turnover of Rs. 4.5 billion led by heavy trading in John Keells, Lanka Realty, Commercial Bank, LOLC Holdings and Sampath Bank. Separately, Lanka IOC announced a first and final dividend of Rs. 5 per share.

Supreme Court launched GovPay online payments on 15 May 2025, enabling real-time payments via multiple banking and FinTech platforms including ComBank, HNB, Seylan, DFCC and NDB. The move allows secure online payment of various court fees and aims to reduce cash transactions and queues.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.29% (208.80 pts) to 16,340.04 as mid-cap buying and stronger retail interest lifted the market, with Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank among gainers while NDB weighed on the index.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group reported Q1 2025 PAT of Rs. 14.97 billion and group assets of Rs. 2.999 trillion, nearing the Rs. 3 trillion milestone. Net interest income rose 23.53% to Rs. 34.21 billion and gross loans grew Rs. 116.75 billion to Rs. 1.642 trillion.