News & market updates

Redington and IBM hosted the IBM Innovation Forum Sri Lanka 2026 on June 5 to promote secure, AI-driven enterprise transformation, featuring panelists from DFCC Bank and Sanasa Development Bank and introducing IBM Bob for enterprise software development.

DFCC Bank has relocated its Ratnapura branch to No. 269, Main Street, Ratnapura, providing a more accessible, spacious and modern facility that continues to offer the bank's full range of products and digital banking services.

DFCC Bank expects to complete the Rs. 3.7 billion acquisition of Standard Chartered Sri Lanka's wealth and retail banking business by 31 July 2026. The deal covers Priority Banking, credit cards, retail lending, deposits and SME portfolios and will be funded from internal funds.

DFCC Bank will complete the acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka’s retail and wealth business for 3.7 billion rupees, scheduled to be concluded by July 31, 2026. DFCC said it will use internal funds and will make a further announcement upon completion.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.34% to 22,456.18 (up 75.53 pts) as turnover reached 2.42 billion rupees, with materials leading turnover at 1.4 billion. Top positive contributors were Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, HNB and DFCC, while LOLC and Prime Lands were top decliners.

DFCC Bank PLC has partnered with Vision Care Optical Services to extend benefits to DFCC Garusaru senior citizen debit cardholders, including up to 15% discounts on selected eyewear and hearing aids and complimentary eye screenings and pressure tests nationwide.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 1.73% (367.41 pts) to 21,637.43 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.55% to 6,027.05. Turnover was below Rs.2bn with foreign investors net buyers of Rs.24.4m; HNB, COMB, JKH, DFCC and RIL were key positive contributors and banks led turnover (25%).

Sri Lanka's CSE closed up with the ASPI rising 1.75% to 21,642.95 after US President Trump said he cancelled planned strikes on Iran. Banks led turnover and several banks and blue-chips rose, while Dialog Axiata passed AGM resolutions including a final dividend and its shares closed up.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.89% (191.45 points) to 21,270.02. Bank stocks led declines with DFCC, Commercial Bank and National Development Bank among top negatives, while Ambeon, Melstacorp and Asiri gained; Asia Asset Finance filed a rights issue to raise Rs1.5bn.

DFCC Bank PLC appointed Shamindra Marcelline as Executive Director effective 15 June 2026, following Board and Central Bank approval. He was Deputy CEO overseeing customer excellence, sustainability, information security, logistics and real estate and will support the bank's digital innovation and strategic growth.

DFCC Bank appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer Shamindra Marcelline to its Board as an Executive Director. He has over 27 years' banking experience and was previously CEO of People's Leasing & Finance PLC.

DFCC Bank PLC launched DFCC ONE Online and new DFCC ONE app features — including traffic fine payments, digital transactions for sole proprietors, enhanced P2P QR transfers (up to Rs.5,000), LankaQR merchant payments and account opening — across mobile and desktop. The updates unify personal and business banking on a single digital platform.

DFCC Bank PLC launched DFCC ONE Online and upgraded the DFCC ONE App with features including traffic fine payments, digital onboarding for sole proprietors, enhanced P2P QR transfers (up to LKR 5,000) and LankaQR merchant payments to strengthen its digital banking offering.

Colombo Stock Exchange partnered with the EU-funded Green Recovery Facility to advance Sri Lanka’s GSS+ bond market through training and market-building programs; since 2024 the market has raised about Rs.82 billion (~EUR216m), ~40% of CSE’s 2025 debt capital. DFCC Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon received international recognition for GSS+ issuances.

DFCC Bank PLC was recognised among Sri Lanka’s Top 10 Mom-Inclusive Workplaces at the Mom Leaders Conference 2026. The award highlights the bank’s efforts to support working mothers and foster an inclusive workplace culture.

Colombo Stock Exchange collaborated with the EU-funded Green Recovery Facility to advance Sri Lanka’s GSS+ bond market, which has raised about LKR 82 billion (~EUR 216m) since 2024. DFCC Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon received international awards for their GSS+ issuances.

SLYCAN Trust held a Lighthouse Event on 21 May 2026 in Colombo to discuss strengthening climate and disaster risk finance and financial protection for communities, businesses and public institutions. The forum highlighted roles for commercial banks, insurers and sector-specific needs in tourism, agriculture and apparel.

The central bank hiked rates 100bp to 8.75%, and the Colombo Stock Exchange fell with the ASPI down 0.51% to 22,249.88; market turnover was Rs.2.99bn with insurance leading at Rs.2.6bn. Lanka Ashok Leyland proposed a final dividend of Rs30/share and Lighthouse Hotel declared a final dividend of Rs3/share.

Colombo Stock Exchange traded higher midday as the ASPI rose 0.24% (52.94 pts) to 21,886 with turnover Rs.807m, led by gains in John Keells and DFCC. Lanka Ceramic declared a final dividend of Rs.6.40 and Swisstek recommended a final dividend of Rs.0.40 per share.

DFCC Bank’s Vice President Shera Hassen was honoured by the Sri Lanka Tamil Women's Union for advancing women's financial inclusion through the bank's DFCC Aloka proposition. DFCC Aloka offers tailored financial solutions, advisory support and engagement to boost women's economic participation.

Sri Lanka shares fell, with the ASPI down 1.54% to 21,954.92 and the S&P SL20 down 1.28% to 6,069.81. Capital goods led turnover at 956.7 million rupees; banks including Sampath, Commercial Bank and DFCC weighed on the index while Union Chemicals, LOLC Finance and Aitken Spence gained.

Ambeon Capital PLC reported consolidated PAT of LKR 3,242 million for FY2025/26, up 104% YoY. Group revenue was LKR 19 billion (+12%), with strategic moves including increased stakes in DFCC (9.91%) and Seylan (9.93%), a 13.33% holding in Ceylon Hotels and a planned controlling stake in Harischandra Mills.

DFCC Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon received awards at Environmental Finance’s Sustainable Debt Awards 2026 for their GSS+ bond issuances. Sri Lanka’s GSS+ bonds have mobilised about LKR 82 billion and are supported by a 2025 GSS+ Bonds Regulatory Framework to boost investor confidence.

DFCC Bank PLC was ranked 3rd among Sri Lanka’s top employers for CIMA members in 2026 by AICPA & CIMA. The award reflects DFCC’s emphasis on structured learning, professional development and support for CIMA qualifications across its ~2,400 employees and 133 locations.

Dialog Axiata reported a net profit of Rs.9.19 billion for the quarter ended Mar 31, 2026 (up 122.3% y/y) and announced an interim cash dividend of 70 cents per share. The Colombo bourse was up (ASPI +0.28%) midday with Rs.1.81bn turnover, led by capital goods (Rs.870.3m).

DFCC Bank PLC won multiple accolades at the 15th ACEF Global Customer Engagement Awards, including a Gold for the DFCC ONE App and four Silver awards spanning women’s empowerment, youth development, environmental awareness and community engagement.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down, the ASPI dipped 0.09% to 22,899. Vallibel Finance listed 29,431,675 ordinary voting shares from its rights issue, raising 2,119,080,600 rupees.

Colombo bourse slipped below 23,000 as the ASPI fell 0.41% to 22,920.32 with turnover over Rs.2.8bn and net foreign outflows of Rs.29.5m. Market weakness was blamed on Middle East tensions and weaker Q1 banking earnings; CINS, MELS, BUKI, NDB and DFCC were key negative contributors.

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) and Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) won awards at Environmental Finance’s 2026 Sustainable Debt Awards for their GSS+ bond issuances; Sri Lanka’s GSS+ market has mobilised about LKR 82 billion (~EUR 216m).