News & market updates

HNB General Insurance launched HNBGI NEXA, a web-based customer support chatbot developed with AccelTree, now live on its website to provide 24/7 first-level insurance support and seamless handover to human agents.

ASPI fell 30 points to 17,997 as turnover hit Rs.7.63 billion, led by large crossings in LOLC Finance, L B Finance and Sampath Bank. Top turnover contributors included LOFC, JKH, Central Finance, Panasian Power and Sampath Bank, while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.3.4bn.

Government launches a Rs.6.5 billion concessionary loan scheme (1–15 Nov 2025) offering up to Rs.50 million per borrower at 7% interest to SME paddy millers and cooperatives to stabilise paddy prices; 15 state and private banks, including HNB, COMB, SAMP, DFCC, NDB, NTB, ABL, SEYB, CBNK and PABC, will disburse the funds.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.17% to 17,996.73 as profit-taking trimmed gains after a record high. HNB, NDB, C T Holdings and Carson Cumberbatch were among the decliners, while consumer shares saw buying interest and turnover rose to 7.6 billion rupees.

HNB General Insurance and HNB Assurance (HNB group) won the 2025 MCA G Division Cricket Championship, beating Access Group after posting 229/6 with Dasun Abeywardana scoring 118; the victory is highlighted as reinforcing HNB’s employee engagement and corporate culture.

LankaPay CEO Channa de Silva said the Fintech Forum aims to position Sri Lanka as a regional fintech hub, noting Rs.1.3tn in cash circulation and Rs.34tn in digital transactions last year and urging bank–fintech partnerships to boost rural financial inclusion.

Colombo market closed the week with the ASPI up 4.6% (closed 17,873, +132pts) and daily turnover Rs.5.12bn; CTHR, JKH, SAMP, HNB and CDB were among top contributors, capital goods and diversified financials led turnover while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.441.5m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI hit a fresh record high, closing at 17,800 (up 0.75% / 132.28 points) on Friday, driven by gains in capital goods and banking stocks. Notable risers included C T Holdings, John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, CDB and Colombo Dockyard.

CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe urged Sri Lankan banks to embed sustainable finance and pledged CBSL support for the Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0, stressing ESG risk management, transparent disclosures and potential regulatory incentives.

CMA Sri Lanka will host the MSME Business Development Summit 2025 and the MSME Business Excellence Awards 2025 at BMICH, with Commercial Bank represented on the SME panel and a former HNB AGM moderating; banks and finance companies are expected to bring MSME clients and be recognized for award winners.

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB), Tecxa and government partners announced the Sri Lanka FinTech Summit 2025 for 24-25 Sept in Colombo, aiming to attract $500m in annual FDI by 2030. The two-day event expects 2,000+ participants and will focus on blockchain, AI, digital currency, inclusion and regulation.

ASPI rose 1% (205 pts) to a record 17,740 as turnover hit Rs.6.85bn. Diversified Financials led activity (20% of turnover) with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Capital Goods also active; HNB Finance, Sunshine, Hemas and Dipped Products were among the top gainers.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000), with government partners, is co-organising the Sri Lanka FinTech Summit on 24–25 Sept 2025 in Colombo aiming to attract USD 500m in FDI. Organisers say the event will support targets for a larger digital economy and financial inclusion through 2030.

CFA Society Sri Lanka held the Capital Market Awards 2025 on 24 June; Sunshine Holdings won Gold for Best Investor Relations (Mid-to-Large), hSenid Business Solutions won Best Investor Relations (Small Cap), Talawakelle Tea Estates won Silver for Best Sustainability Reporting, and Dialog Axiata and Commercial Bank shared Bronze. Capital Alliance was a Gold sponsor and Hatton National Bank served as Banking Partner.

Hatton National Bank PLC has partnered with Prime Group to offer 100% home financing with no down payment and a 20% lifestyle top-up at property handover. The offer will be available across Prime developments with flexible repayment options and island‑wide advisory support.

Colombo market lost Rs. 117 billion as the ASPI fell 1.9% (S&P SL20 -2.1%) amid Middle East tensions, with turnover Rs. 2.5 billion led by HNB, SAMP and EAST. Broad-based declines hit banking and capital goods counters, while foreign net inflows were small.

HNB PLC has partnered with Prime Group to offer 100% financed home loans plus a 20% lifestyle top-up loan at property handover. The offer covers Prime's housing projects and includes flexible repayment options and island-wide advisory support from HNB.

Asia Frontier Capital has increased its weight on Sri Lanka equities to 14% from about 5% two years ago. The fund cites improving macro fundamentals, political stability and pickup in tourism and corporate earnings, and lists holdings including JKH, Commercial Bank, HNB, Hemas, Sunshine, Dipped Products and Melstacorp.

HNB PLC has partnered with Prime Group to offer 100% financing on home loans plus a 20% lifestyle top-up at property handover. The offer will be available across Prime developments with flexible repayment options and island‑wide HNB advisory support.

The ASPI fell 1.5% (253 pts) to 16,818 as the bear run continued, with turnover of Rs. 3.3 billion and foreign net inflows of Rs. 77.7m. Key negative contributors included Commercial Bank, John Keells, Ceylon Tobacco and NDB, while the banking sector led turnover and lost 1.43%.

Sri Lanka stocks recovered, ASPI rose 1.60% (269.74 pts) to 17,087.95, led by gains in Ceylinco Holdings, Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Hatton National Bank and Commercial Bank. Turnover was 2.5 billion rupees with 98,864,903 shares traded as regional volatility, gold moves and US rate outlook influenced markets.

Colombo market turned more bearish as the ASPI fell 1.22% (S&P SL20 down 1.11%) on turnover of Rs. 3.9bn, with HAYL, CTHR, SAMP, DFCC and HNB exerting selling pressure; JKH, L B Finance and CTC also recorded price declines.

Colombo Stock Exchange slid 1.22% as Israel‑Iran tensions intensified, with the ASPI down 210.51 pts to 17,071.44; Hayleys, C T Holdings, Sampath Bank, DFCC Bank and HNB posted notable declines. Turnover fell to 3.8 billion rupees from 6.8 billion rupees.

ASPI fell 0.4% and the S&P SL20 fell 0.7% as Colombo stocks extended losses amid heightened Israel‑Iran tensions. Turnover was Rs.3.15bn; top negative contributors included HNB, COMB, LOLC, HAYL and CTC, while CDB, Hemas, LVL Energy Fund and Lanka IOC saw notable buying/turnover.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) partnered with Visa to launch the 'Visa Easy Tap with HNB Cards' campaign to drive adoption of contactless tap-to-pay across Sri Lanka. The campaign will raise awareness of tap-enabled merchants (supermarkets, fuel stations, tolls, pharmacies) and educate customers on using contactless debit and credit cards.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI fell 66.89 points (0.38%) to 17,360.19 on Monday, with the S&P SL20 down 36.38 points (0.70%) to 5,155.48 and turnover at Rs.3.15 billion; major losers included Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Hayleys and Ceylon Tobacco Company.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.38% (66.89 pts) to 17,360.19 amid continued Israel-Iran conflict, with S&P SL20 down 0.59% as turnover and volumes slipped and HNB, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Hayleys and Ceylon Tobacco were among the top decliners.

Executives of Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank said Sri Lanka’s recovery is underway but remains fragile despite stable inflation, reserves and GDP growth above IMF forecasts. They warned policy inconsistency, informality and export concentration risk undermining momentum, while banks see rising credit demand in SMEs, housing, tourism and renewables.

Colombo market slipped as the ASPI fell 1.3% (234 pts) to 17,427 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.6%, with turnover around Rs.4 billion. Diversified financials led turnover while HNB, MELS, DFCC, SAMP and JKH pressured the index; Capital Alliance and Central Finance saw notable moves.

Colombo Stock Exchange tumbled as the ASPI fell 234.37 points (1.33%) to 17,427.08 following Israel's strike on Iran and resulting geopolitical tensions. Losses were led by heavyweight banks HNB, DFCC and Sampath, with John Keells and Melstacorp also down; turnover was Rs. 3.98bn.