News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange rose on Jan 8 with the ASPI up 0.63% to 15,954.01 and the S&P SL20 up 0.57%, led by gains in banks; turnover was 5.23 billion rupees. Sampath, NTB, NDB, L B Finance and Commercial Bank all posted gains as investors shifted from fixed-income after higher withholding tax on interest.

Colombo bourse fell with the ASPI down 1.06% and S&P SL20 down 1.14%, while net foreign inflow was Rs. 188.1 million. Banking led turnover (25%) and several stocks (SAMP, COMB, CINS, RICH, NDB) were top negative contributors; JKH, HHL and BIL recorded small gains.

Colombo bourse ended a four-week winning run as the ASPI fell 299 points to 16,049 (-1.83%) and the S&P SL20 dropped 2.24%; turnover was Rs.11.48bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.142m. Sampath, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Melstacorp and Hayleys were among the top negative contributors while JKH gained.

After a 26-day rally, the CSE reversed course: ASPI fell 299.13 pts to 16,049.42 and the S&P SL20 dropped 46.05 pts to 4,925.82. Turnover was Rs.11.48bn led by Browns Investments (Rs.1.03bn), John Keells (Rs.882m), HNB (Rs.401m), Sampath (Rs.350m) and LOLC (Rs.305m); 189 stocks closed lower.

S&P SL20 rose past the 5,000 mark to 5,001.74, up 0.60% (29.87 points), while the ASPI was up 0.64% at 16,452. The rally is attributed to low interest rates, banks' excess liquidity making margin loans cheap, and positive banking-sector/debt-restructuring news.

Commercial Bank (ComBank) appointed cricketer Matheesha Pathirana as Brand Ambassador for its ComBank Debit Card. The bank said Pathirana will represent its debit card business, which issues cards across Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay and LankaPay and is accepted at over 7,000 outlets and internationally.

Colombo Stock Exchange ended 2024 higher, with the ASPI up 0.74% at 15,944.61 and the S&P SL20 up 1.01% at 4,862.10. Turnover was Rs7.7bn, banks/diversified financials and capital goods drew the most interest, and there was a net foreign inflow of Rs129mn.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon won Gold as Sri Lanka’s 'Green Brand of the Year' at the 2024 SLIM Brand Excellence Awards. The bank completed planting 100,000 trees in 12 months, cut CO2 emissions by 233,918 tonnes, expanded solar-powered branches to 82 and its ComBank Digital app surpassed 1 million users.

Indra Silva bought a 1.6% voting stake in Hatton National Bank (HNB) for Rs. 2.2 billion. The purchase comprised 7.47m shares at Rs.298 via three crossings (seller Finco Holdings); HNB closed at Rs.301.50, up 2.64%.

Colombo market saw nearly Rs.10bn turnover yesterday as ASPI rose 0.8% (week +4.9%), led by banking and diversified financials; top contributors were HNB, LOLC, DFCC, RCL and MELS, with notable gains in HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC and LOLC.

Bank of Ceylon has been reappointed as the settlement bank for Sri Lanka’s USD Online and UITS systems for a further three-year term from 2024. The renewal reinforces BOC’s role in remittances and USD clearing infrastructure, affecting other domestic banks that use these systems.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon was a bronze sponsor at the Council for Business with Britain Christmas Carols Fellowship on 11 December. Unilever Sri Lanka was the main sponsor; the event featured the British High Commissioner, choir performances and member networking.

Colombo market notched a 21st consecutive gain as the ASPI rose 1% (148 pts) to 15,168 on turnover of Rs.5.5bn, led by banking-sector activity; top contributors and heavy turnover included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings, Sampath, Richard Pieris, Commercial Bank, Royal Ceramics and Browns Investments.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI up 0.98% (147.79 pts) to 15,168 and S&P SL20 up 0.82% to 4,535 on turnover of 5.4 billion rupees. Top contributors included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings and Sampath Bank, with a net foreign outflow of 94 million rupees.

The ASPI crossed the 15,000 mark, closing at 15,021 after a 210-point (1.4%) gain on Rs.8.5bn turnover, led by heavy activity in banking and contributions from Browns Investments, HNB, Sampath, LOLC and JKH.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.42% (209.91 points) to 15,020.61, surpassing the 15,000 mark. Top contributors were LOLC, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and Browns Investments amid Rs 8.44 billion turnover, Rs 43 million net foreign inflow and a Fitch rating upgrade cited as a confidence booster.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) won two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze at CA Sri Lanka's TAGS Awards 2024 for its 2023 Annual Report, including Golds for Corporate Governance Disclosure (Financial Services) and Best Annual Report among private banks.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon will wipe out Rs. 3 million of December credit-card bills by drawing 60 cardholders who spend at least Rs. 75,000, with winners receiving up to Rs. 50,000 each. Eligible transactions include POS, online and Q+ app payments; the bank highlighted NFC-enabled cards and market leadership.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.07% to 14,810 and turnover hit Rs9.23bn, the highest since Feb 7. Top contributors included Central Finance, Ceylon Cold Stores, Melstacorp, Access Engineering and Chevron Lubricants; net foreign outflow was Rs226m.

Colombo market closed with the ASPI up 0.27% at 14,654.26 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.32% to 4,390.12 as profit-taking in banking stocks weighed on the SL20. Top gainers included Ceylon Cold Stores, PGP Glass, John Keells, Dipped Products and Lanka IOC; net foreign outflow was Rs 1.4 million.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) was ranked No.1 among Sri Lankan banks and fifth overall in LMD magazine's inaugural Corporate Happiness Index, leading the banking sector in 14 of 16 survey attributes.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC filed a winding-up petition against Almar Teas Ltd, but the Commercial High Court suspended the inquiry scheduled for 20 Dec 2024 and fixed the objections hearing for 6 Mar 2025 with written submissions due one month earlier.

Hayleys PLC won the Gold for Overall Excellence in Corporate Reporting at CA Sri Lanka’s TAGS Awards 2024; Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC took Silver and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC featured among top winners. Multiple shortlisted firms (e.g., DIMO, COMB, LFIN, SFIN, CCS, HAYC, SLTL, LGL, FCT) received sector awards.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher — ASPI +0.11% at 14,516.46 and S&P SL20 +0.80% at 4,384.75, with turnover of 6.35 billion. Top contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, NDB, Cargills and Lanka IOC; net foreign inflow was Rs 336 million and there was notable activity in banking, consumer and hotel stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 2.08% to 14,500 and S&P SL20 rose 2.48% to 4,349 on Dec 16, 2024, with turnover of 8.2 billion. Top turnover generators included Ceylinco, John Keells, Sampath, HNB and Pan Asia; banking stocks rose after the ISB announcement and net foreign inflow was Rs 100 million.

Colombo stock market extended its bull run as the ASPI rose about 4% for the week (closing at 14,205) on high turnover (avg Rs.5.66bn), led by heavy trading and price gains in Hemas, HNB, Lanka Milk Foods, John Keells and Alumex.

Executives from John Keells (JKL), Commercial Bank (COMB), Hayleys (HAYL), DIMO (DIMO), Horana Plantations (HOPL) and Printcare (CARE) were honoured as 'Top10 Champions of Diversity 2024' at a Women in Management Global and IFC event on 9 December 2024.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI hit a record 14,035, up 1.09% (150.72 pts) on Dec 12. Investors were upbeat ahead of the ISB bid deadline, with top contributors Ceylon Beverage, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, John Keells and Commercial Bank and a foreign net inflow of 306 million rupees.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon MD/CEO Sanath Manatunge was named one of Sri Lanka's Top 10 Diversity Champions in 2024. The recognition highlights his DEI leadership at Commercial Bank, which was also ranked No.1 among Sri Lankan banks in LMD's Corporate Happiness Index and has launched multiple inclusive digital and green banking initiatives.