News & market updates

The EPF's listed equity portfolio rose 27% to Rs. 188.85 billion at end-2025. The fund cut holdings from 65 to 59, fully exited six counters (Cargills Bank, Ceylon Hotels, Colombo Dockyard, Jetwing Symphony, LAUGFS Gas, Sierra Cables) and added Hemas (40m shares); gains were led by banks and diversified stocks.

Mastercard launched two payment solutions in Sri Lanka—Soundbox and Cloud Commerce—developed with Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Hatton National Bank to enable low-cost card and QR acceptance via a compact device and NFC-enabled smartphones. Soundbox gives instant audio confirmation and Cloud Commerce turns phones into secure payment terminals.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc COO and Executive Director S. Prabagar retired effective 26 April 2026 after more than 30 years with the bank. He led core operations, oversaw significant expansion in Bangladesh and chaired the Central Bank's blockchain roadmap committee.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon will restore one hectare of degraded rainforest in the Kanneliya Forest Reserve under a six-year, science-led programme (2026–2032) in partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka and with IUCN monitoring.

Mastercard launched Soundbox and Cloud Commerce in Sri Lanka, partnering with Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Hatton National Bank to offer low-cost POS hardware and phone-based NFC payment acceptance to small merchants.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon said COO and Executive Director S. Prabagar will retire effective 26 April 2026 after more than 30 years with the bank. He led key operations including expanding the Bangladesh network to 19 branches, which contributed about 15% to the bank’s overall profit.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) disbursed more than Rs.14 billion through 11,869 specialised MSME loans from 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Mar 2026 and fully utilised a Rs.1bn Re‑MSME allocation, receiving an additional Rs.1bn of which 50% has been disbursed.

The ASPI fell 0.89% (203.26 pts) to 22,570.03 as Middle East tensions and higher global oil prices weighed on the Colombo bourse. RIL Property, C T Holdings, Commercial Bank and Browns Investments were among top negative contributors while Hikkaduwa Beach Resort and other tourism counters saw notable retail turnover.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC signed a long-term Technology Services Master Agreement with Bancstac to deploy a secure, bank-controlled payment processing infrastructure. The deal upgrades its IPG (adding JCB and national card schemes, LankaQR), adds fraud mitigation, tokenisation, merchant onboarding and access to Amex/Discover/Diners while settlement remains via the bank's Euronet switch.

Fintech Forum and UnionPay are driving adoption of digital payments in Sri Lanka, supporting the regulator‑approved 2024 National Card initiative to expand card usage. UnionPay has expanded local issuance since 2019 with partners including Commercial Bank and highlights QR adoption and reduced cash costs (~1.5% of GDP) as goals.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon listed 14,236,841 voting shares and 984,260 non-voting shares after a scrip dividend, with voting issued at a ratio of 1 to 108.2352945432 and non-voting at 1 to 97.8823532400. Voting stock was trading at Rs.211.50 and non-voting at Rs.193.50.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as the ASPI rose 0.82% to 22,773.29 on Apr 17, 2026, led by gains in Central Finance (+5.83%), Hemas (+5.06%), Hayleys (+2.17%) and C T Holdings (+4.14%); NDB (-2.11%), HNB (-0.54%) and Commercial Bank (-0.47%) were top decliners.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon signed a long-term Technology Services Master Agreement with Bancstac to deploy a bank-controlled payment processing infrastructure, enhancing its Internet Payment Gateway to add JCB, Sri Lanka’s national card schemes, expanded QR and non-card payments and improved fraud and settlement controls.

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday as the ASPI rose 0.65% to 22,735.61 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.51% to 6,262.75, with turnover at Rs 2bn. Top movers included Central Finance, Hayleys, Hemas and Browns Investments (up) while NDB, Melstacorp and HNB lagged; Commercial Bank listed scrip-dividend shares and Browns Beach Hotels will resume trading Apr 17–27.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB) had its proposed Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures of up to LKR20 billion assigned an expected National Long-Term Rating of 'A(EXP)(lka)' by Fitch; the 5/7/10-year notes will be listed and include a non-viability conversion clause.

Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament that a multi-billion rupee fraud at National Development Bank has extended to involve 5–7 other banks and 4–9 non-banking financial institutions, blaming a 'systematic failure of accountability' by the central bank.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon partnered with NCG Express to roll out fully digital bus ticketing enabling card, QR and contactless payments, with initial deployment on selected routes and plans to expand across the operator's fleet.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has partnered with NCG Express to roll out fully digital bus ticketing, enabling passengers to pay fares via cards, QR and contactless payments processed instantly through the Bank's acquiring network. Initial deployment has started on selected routes with plans to expand across the operator's fleet.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up: ASPI +1.30% (284.12 pts) to 22,128.66. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp and National Development Bank; turnover was Rs5.016bn and HNB Finance announced a Rs2,499,529,714 rights issue (2 for 9).

Colombo market recorded its largest single-day gain as the ASPI rose 4.21% (885.14 pts) to 21,917.60 on Middle East ceasefire optimism; turnover was over Rs.6.6bn and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.612.4m. JKH, COMB, HNB, DIAL and DOCK were top contributors and the banking sector led turnover (24%).

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher after a US‑Iran ceasefire: ASPI rose 4.09% to 21,891.97 while the S&P SL20 fell 4.60% to 6,100.99. Top gainers included Commercial Bank (+6.01%), John Keells Holding (+6.49%), HNB (+4.58%), Hayleys (+4.27%) and Melstacorp (+3.24%); turnover Rs1.75bn and Brent at $94/bbl.

NDB Bank shares fell 15.13% to Rs.110.75 after the CSE lifted a trading suspension related to a Rs.13.2 billion fraud. Over 4.1m NDB shares traded (Rs.455m); most peer banks rose but the banking index fell 0.8%, with NDB the largest negative contributor to a 67.05-point ASPI drop.

ASPI fell 0.45% to 21,032.46 as foreign net outflows reached Rs.1.099bn over two days (Rs.294m yesterday, Rs.805m prior). Banking led turnover (49%); key negatives included NDB, Ceylinco (CINS), Melstacorp and JKH, while Galle Face Capital (WAPO) gained.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 4.21% to 21,917.60 as a US two-week ceasefire announcement drew investors back, with turnover at Rs.6.61 billion and banks driving activity. Top contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Dialog Axiata and Colombo Dockyard.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon expanded its 'ComBank Shakthi' agency banking network by 22 new outlets to 26 locations, bringing its total physical customer access points to 298. The initiative uses third-party agents with POS devices integrated to the bank's core systems to provide real-time transactions and extend services to underserved communities.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon expanded its 'ComBank Shakthi' agency banking network by 22 new outlets to 26 locations, increasing its total physical customer access points to 298 (272 branches + 26 agency outlets).

President Dissanayake chaired a meeting with bank and financial institution heads to promote the National QR Payment Promotion Initiative; CBSL Governor Weerasinghe said shifting from ATM cash services to the new digital method will cut banks' ATM costs and provide a more efficient, secure payment option.

National Development Bank said employee fraud caused an estimated loss of 13.2 billion rupees and its CSE trading was halted. Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and Hatton National Bank traded lower and the ASPI was down 0.34% at midday.

HNB MD Damith Pallewatte defended 11% SME lending as reflecting higher funding costs and said HNB has disbursed Rs.1.024bn (102%) of its Rs.1bn MSME allocation. Commercial Bank (Rs.1.027bn, 103%) and NDB (Rs.400.286m, 100%) also met or exceeded their allocations amid wider sector criticism over concessional credit rollout.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a meeting with bank and financial institution heads to launch the National QR Payment Promotion Initiative and seek banking sector support for rapid adoption. The Central Bank said the shift will reduce ATM cash transaction costs and offer a more efficient, secure payment method.