News & market updates

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) was named Sri Lanka's Best Bank for Large Corporates at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, its second time winning the title. The bank cited involvement in a USD 1bn sustainability-linked syndication, LKR 44.5bn financing for a 350MW power project and investments in digital and transaction banking.

HNB PLC was named Sri Lanka's Best Bank for Large Corporates at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, the second time it has won the title. The award highlighted HNB's role in landmark deals during the review period, including participation in a $1bn sustainability-linked syndicated financing and arranging Rs.44.5bn for the 350MW Sobadhanavi power project.

The Exporters Association of Sri Lanka elected Nalaka Ratnayake as Chairperson at its 29th AGM; the new Executive Committee includes representatives from CIC Holdings, Hayleys, Dipped Products, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank and Lion Brewery. Speakers urged faster trade digitalisation, lower export costs and improved logistics to boost competitiveness.

HNB General Insurance appointed Lakshman Silva as Non-Executive/Nominee Director and Sandra De Zoysa as Independent/Non-Executive Director to its board. The appointments are intended to strengthen governance and drive digital/CX transformation as the insurer scales its platforms and customer service architecture.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.14% (29.77 pts) to 21,447.57 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.29% to 6,006.07, with market turnover Rs 1.49bn and banks leading turnover at Rs 74.9m. Bukit Darah declared a first interim dividend of Rs 5.73 per share, entitlement July 27, 2026.

HNB PLC awarded an HNB Visa Club Infinite cardholder a fully paid experience for two to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, selected via a raffle among cardholders who met the promotion's minimum spend requirement.

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat as the ASPI rose 0.01% to 21,426.43, with banks leading turnover at 327.4 million rupees. Haycarb, John Keells and Ceylon Cold Stores were top gainers while HNB, Central Finance and Commercial Bank were top decliners; Digital Mobility Solutions disclosed ESOP allotments and its shares closed down 0.30%.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.39% (83.87 pts) to 21,508.86, with banks leading turnover at Rs 41.8 million. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company proposed a first and final dividend of Rs 25 per share for the year ended March 31.

Sri Lanka's Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: ASPI fell 0.50% to 21,424.71 with market turnover of Rs.1.089 billion and banks leading turnover at Rs.221.1 million. Merchant Bank (MBSL) set a rights reference price of Rs.0.30 and its stock closed down 5.31% at Rs.10.70.

The ASPI fell 1.07% (233.18 points) to 21,532.38 as investors sold amid renewed Middle East conflict concerns. Market turnover was over Rs 1bn, foreign investors were net sellers of about Rs 56mn, with banks and food & beverage sectors leading activity.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.27% to 21,473.27 at midday, while the S&P SL20 was down 0.04% to 6,019.55. BPPL Holdings said subsidiary Beira Brush will acquire Ravi Industries' customer base and the "Ravi" trademark for a minimum 300 million rupees payable over five years tied to revenue.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell as the ASPI dropped 1.07% (−233.18 pts) to 21,532.38 amid escalating West Asia tensions. Banks led selling with turnover at 1.04 billion rupees; Palm Garden Hotels reported non-compliance with minimum public holding and People's Leasing listed 59,766,864 scrip shares.

Visa hosted the Sri Lanka Cybersecurity Conclave on 25 June 2026, convening banks, government and regulators to address AI-driven cyber threats, fraud prevention and Visa's security solutions. Participants stressed threat intelligence, real-time response and information sharing.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) has been named Title Sponsor of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs Fashion Week & International Summit 2026, to be held 16–20 July at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. HNB says the sponsorship supports women's entrepreneurship, SME development and financial inclusion.

Union Bank CEO Dilshan Rodrigo said SMEs are understating revenues and profits—banks often reconstruct financials and find turnover about 40% higher—hindering cash-flow lending. He urged stronger audit standards, independent SME credit ratings and deeper capital markets for long-term SME finance.

Bank of Ceylon launched BOC Flex – Tap & Pay, Sri Lanka's first mobile banking wallet-based contactless payment solution on 9 July 2026. The wallet uses virtual cards, auto top-up and NFC support to enable contactless POS and online payments, boosting digital payments and competitive pressure on other banks.

The ASPI fell 0.61% (133.80 pts) to 21,828.50, extending its slide to a seventh straight session. Market turnover was Rs.2.25bn on 210.1m shares with foreign net selling of Rs.22.5m and major negative contributors including Sampath, Hayleys, Dialog, LOLC and HNB.

Colombo bourse fell with the ASPI down 0.61% to 21,828.50, led by capital goods turnover; Industrial Asphalts jumped 60% after agreeing to sell a 48.03% controlling stake. Hela Apparel’s subsidiary signed a management services agreement amid working capital challenges.

Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index fell 141.27 points (0.64%) to 21,821 at midday. Nations Trust Bank said its Basel III-compliant Tier-2 debentures will be listed on July 8 with 5-, 7- and 10-year tranches paying 13.75%, 13.85% and 13.95% respectively.

ASPI fell 118.35 points to 21,962.30, slipping below 22,000, while the S&P SL20 dropped 31.55 points to 6,135.50, led by declines in heavyweights such as Dialog Axiata and Melstacorp; banking stocks (NDB, HNB, Sampath) also recorded losses. Market turnover was LKR 1.53 billion, with JKH crossings contributing LKR 264 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange midday: ASPI down 0.17% (37.22 pts) to 22,043.43 and S&P SL20 down 0.15% to 6,157.85. Capital goods led turnover (LKR 46.2m of LKR 216.8m); notable gainers HNB, RCL, SPEN, SDB, NHL and decliners GREG, MELS, JKH, CARS, LOLC.

HNB General Insurance was the only general insurer named among Sri Lanka's 50 Best Workplaces™ 2026, ranking 16th in the Large Sized Workplaces category. 95% of participating HNBGI employees rated the company's workplace culture extremely highly.

Colombo market opened deep in the red: ASPI fell 0.44% (98.08 pts) to 22,080.65 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.44% as foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 315.8m. Main negatives included Ceylinco, HNB, RIL and Central Finance; utilities (led by Windforce), capital goods and banking led turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.38% to 22,093.51 on Monday with turnover of 1.35 billion rupees. Negative contributors included HNB (down to 396.75) and Dialog Axiata (45.50), while Lion Brewery (1,834) and Haycarb (160.50) led gains.

Colombo market extended losses as the ASPI fell 1.03% for the week to 22,178.73 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.85% to 6,194.22. Market turnover topped Rs.1.5bn with foreigners net sellers of Rs.157.9m and notable moves from SAMP, CINS, JKH, RCL (weak) and DIAL, BUKI, CARS, AEL, COMB (positive/active).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down as the ASPI fell 0.19% (43.18 points) to 22,178.73 on turnover of Rs.1.54 billion. Asia Asset Finance announced GM and rights timetable and Associated Motor Finance said its merger with L B Finance will become effective by 31 July 2026.

Colombo Stock Exchange was flat midday with the ASPI up 0.03% at 22,229.37 and banks leading turnover at LKR 279.8m; Singer Finance said its total assets surpassed LKR 100 billion in Q1 2026/27.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally lower as the ASPI fell 0.09% (‑19.58 pts) to 22,243.70 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.02% to 6,206.51. Market turnover was Rs 1.070 billion, telecoms led turnover with Rs 247.6 million, and the CSE delayed opening due to a technical issue.