News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the ASPI down 0.41% (95 points) to 22,920 and the S&P SL20 down 0.40% to 6,269. Banking stocks saw profit taking while top movers included Nawaloka Hospitals (+8.44%), LOLC (+0.83%) and Seylan Bank (+1.65%), and Ceylon Tobacco declared a first interim dividend of Rs.32.40.

DFCC Bank reported Group core business PAT of Rs. 1.7 billion for the quarter ended 31 March 2026. Total assets rose 3% to Rs. 884 billion, net fee and commission income grew 34% and impairment charges increased to Rs. 3,163 million; integration of Standard Chartered's Sri Lanka wealth and retail operations is underway.

Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.23% to 23,011.72 despite net foreign inflows of Rs. 597.5m; banking sector led turnover with large SEYB crossings and gains, while COMB, CINS, DFCC and Colombo Dockyard were among top negative contributors.

DFCC Bank reported Group core business PAT of LKR 1.8 Bn and a Group total capital adequacy ratio of 16.092% for the quarter ended 31 Mar 2026. Net interest income rose 12% to LKR 8.3 Bn and net fees grew 34% to LKR 1.9 Bn, while higher impairment charges and LKR 569 Mn unrealised equity losses weighed on results; integration of Standard Chartered’s Sri Lanka wealth and retail operations is underway.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower: ASPI -0.23% to 23,011.72 and S&P SL20 -0.30%, with turnover Rs.4.92bn and banks leading at Rs.3.04bn. Movers included Melstacorp, Hemas and CDB up while Ceylinco Insurance, Commercial Bank, DFCC and Colombo Dockyard fell; Laugfs Power commissioned a 2MW mini-hydro and ACME proposed a capital reduction (EGM Jun 11).

Colombo Stock Exchange was flat at midday: ASPI up 0.01% to 23,065 while banks led turnover at Rs.2.85 billion. Top movers included CDB (+4.65%), JKH (+0.49%), HHL (+1.21%) and NTB (+1.08%), while HAYL, COMB and DFCC fell.

EU-funded Green Recovery Facility has helped develop Sri Lanka's GSS+ bond market, mobilising about Rs.85 billion and contributing to regional awards for DFCC Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon. The initiative and a 2025 GSS Bonds Regulatory Framework aim to boost green issuances and investor confidence.

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) was certified as a Full Member of the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) for 2026 to strengthen its digital capabilities and access emerging technologies. The bank says it will embed digital transformation across operations to improve customer experience and processing.

EU-backed Green Recovery Facility is running a €200,000 capacity-building programme with the SEC, CSE and regulators to strengthen Sri Lanka's GSS+ bond market; recent GSS+ issuances mobilised about LKR85 billion. DFCC Bank and Commercial Bank won APAC sustainable debt awards.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 0.69% to 22,739 and S&P SL20 gained 0.51% to 6,245, with John Keells, Melstacorp and Hayleys among top positive contributors and DFCC, Lion Brewery and CDB leading declines; market turnover was Rs.4.13bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.72% (162.12 pts) to 22,746 and the S&P SL20 was up 0.51% to 6,244, with turnover of 2 billion rupees. Top contributors included John Keells, Melstacorp and Lanka Realty while DFCC and Carson Cumberbatch lagged; Equity Two declared a 4.41 rupee dividend.

DFCC Bank PLC has partnered with the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka to support SME growth by offering export-oriented workshops, financial literacy, business advisory services and market access through the From Sri Lanka platform.

DFCC Bank PLC's women's team won the Plate Championship at the Mercantile Netball League; the bank fielded teams in both women's and mixed categories and said the initiative builds teamwork, discipline and staff engagement.

DFCC Bank and Standard Chartered Sri Lanka held a town hall related to the transition of Standard Chartered's Wealth and Retail Banking business, with DFCC leadership and SCB WRB colleagues discussing continuity for clients and employees.

DFCC Bank PLC has partnered with the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka to support SMEs with export-oriented workshops, financial literacy, business advisory services and market access via the From Sri Lanka (FSL) platform.

DFCC Bank has partnered with AlfaNow in Dubai to expand its Middle East remittance network, aiming to deliver faster, more secure and more accessible transfers for Sri Lankans in the UAE. The tie-up is intended to improve turnaround times and reliability for inward remittances.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.28% to 22,676.60 midday, led by gains in ACL Cables, Commercial Bank and John Keells. Capital goods led turnover with ACL contributing 91.8 million rupees, and National Development Bank said INED Shanil Fernando resigned effective April 27.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat as the ASPI rose 0.03% to 22,620.15. Top positive contributors were Commercial Bank, John Keells and ACL Cables while DFCC and Central Finance lagged; Janashakthi (JXG) is set to start trading on April 29 with 2.3 billion shares.

DFCC Bank has partnered with AlfaNow in Dubai to expand its Middle East remittance network, improving speed, security and accessibility of transfers for Sri Lankan expatriates (notably in the UAE). The tie-up aims to reduce turnaround times and boost reliability of inward remittances.

The ASPI rose 0.20% (44.68 pts) to 22,612.31 as foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 242.25m; market turnover was nearly Rs. 3bn on 141m shares. Gains were led by CINS, DIAL, SAMP, CARS and DFCC, with food, beverage & tobacco leading turnover (25%) and capital goods plus real estate adding 25%.

DFCC Bank (DFCC Aloka) was the Strategic Partner for the 'She Moves the World' event for International Women’s Day 2026; Kaushala Amarasekara, VP/Chief Marketing Officer at DFCC Bank, participated as a panelist in the 'Thriving Beyond Limits: Overcoming Silent Barriers' discussion.

DFCC Bank PLC won the Environmental Finance Sustainable Debt Awards 2026 for its DFCC Blue Bond 2025, Sri Lanka’s first listed blue bond that raised Rs. 3 billion in November 2025. The bond, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and international exchanges, directs proceeds to marine pollution prevention, ecosystem conservation, clean water, and marine renewable energy.

DFCC Bank PLC won the Environmental Finance Sustainable Debt Awards 2026 (Innovation – Use of Proceeds) for its DFCC Blue Bond 2025, Sri Lanka’s first listed blue bond that raised LKR 3 billion. The bond, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and international venues, finances marine, coastal and clean-water projects.

DFCC Bank convened a discussion examining how the Middle East conflict could transmit into Sri Lanka’s economy, highlighting energy price, shipping, FX, tourism and remittance channels. The forum emphasised banks’ role in helping clients manage FX exposure, trade finance and liquidity amid rising uncertainty.

DFCC Bank approved at its AGM/EGM the issuance of up to 150 million Basel III-compliant Tier II subordinated debentures (par Rs.100) to raise up to Rs.15 billion. Shareholders also approved director reappointments, and the bank said the capital raise will strengthen its capital position to support growth and regulatory alignment.

DFCC Bank's EGM approved issuance of up to 150 million Basel III-compliant Tier II listed subordinated debentures (par LKR100) with up to a 10-year tenure to raise up to LKR15 billion. All AGM resolutions, including director reappointments, were also approved.

DFCC Bank PLC held its first Wyapara Hamuwa for 2026 in Kuliyapitiya, engaging 40 coconut chip suppliers linked to PROJAR Lanka to provide financial literacy, banking fundamentals and entrepreneurship support.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.47% to 22,588.97, led by gains in Carson Cumberbatch, Hayleys and Dialog Axiata while Asian Hotels & Properties and DFCC Bank were among decliners. Turnover was Rs.4.96bn with capital goods contributing Rs.951m.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the ASPI up 0.85% to 22,451.60 as global markets rallied. Top contributors included Carson Cumberbatch, Royal Ceramics, John Keells and Hemas while LOLC, DFCC and Singer were negatives; Hatton National Bank announced listings of 4,249,706 voting and 1,251,268 non-voting shares.

DFCC Bank PLC held its first 'Wyapara Hamuwa' programme for 2026 in Kuliyapitiya, engaging 40 coconut chips suppliers linked to PROJAR Lanka to provide financial literacy and business-banking support. The session aimed to strengthen cash-flow management and supplier operations.