News & market updates

Hatton National Bank (HNB) launched Sri Lanka’s first World Elite Metal Mastercard, the invitation-only 'Club Elite', offering premium travel, concierge and lifestyle benefits and partner privileges through Mastercard’s global programs.

ACOB will hold "The Compliance Symposium 2025" tomorrow at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, with the Central Bank Governor and experts discussing AML, the upcoming mutual evaluation, SEC and FDI/Port City regulations, and the role of AI in compliance.

Colombo bourse rebounded on Friday—ASPI +0.18%, S&P SL20 +0.6%—but ended the week down 0.3% and 0.6%; Friday turnover was Rs.3.5bn (weekly avg Rs.4.2bn). The banking sector led turnover (57%) and gained 0.89%, with COMB, MELS, JKH, NDB and SAMP among top contributors; net foreign outflow Rs.749.8m.

Dividend · Rs 15.00 · XD Mar 28, 2025

Final dividend of LKR 15/share; XD 2025-03-28; record 2025-03-31; payable 2025-04-21; FY 31st December 2024

Colombo market fell for a second day as the ASPI dropped 1.2% to 16,859 (≈215 pts) with turnover of Rs.2.9bn and a Rs.381mn foreign outflow; the Banking sector led the decline with HNB, Sampath Bank and NDB among the top negative contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 0.3% as the ASPI rose 0.18% (30.34 pts) to 16,889.31, with turnover slowing to 3.5 million rupees and a net foreign outflow of 749 million rupees. Bank stocks led activity—Commercial Bank, NDB, Sampath and HNB were top contributors, while John Keells and CIC saw high turnover.

HNB PLC joins SLIM Brand Week 2025 as Platinum Sponsor; the three-day event runs 19–21 Feb 2025 and features 28 speakers, including Jordan Belfort and Neil Patel, focusing on branding, digital marketing and innovation.

HNB PLC (HNB.N0000) joins as Platinum Sponsor of SLIM Brand Week 2025, held 19–21 Feb 2025, supporting a conference focused on branding, marketing and digital innovation.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 0.9% as the ASPI dropped 0.86% to 16,927.13 amid profit-taking—especially in banks—and a net foreign outflow of Rs 380mn. DFCC reported an 80% rise in December-quarter profits and Sampath an 85% increase.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) launched Sri Lanka’s first World Elite Metal Mastercard, the invitation-only 'Club Elite' card, offering premium travel, concierge and lifestyle benefits through global and local partner privileges.

Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.7% to 17,074 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.8% on low turnover of Rs.3.7 billion (35.8% below the monthly average). Banks dominated turnover (30%); BUKI and SEMB were top positive contributors while COMB, HNB, HHL, JKH, CTC, SAMP and NDB were among the top decliners.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down 0.70% to ASPI 17,074.02 on turnover Rs3.6bn, with a net foreign inflow of Rs307mn. Top turnover and movers included Dialog, Commercial Bank, Hemas, HNB and John Keells; LB Finance announced a Rs2.25 interim dividend.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose after the Budget, with the ASPI up 1.3% and net foreign inflows of Rs. 777.4 million. Banking, insurance and diversified financials led the session, with Ceylinco, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath among the top contributors.

Budget 2025 raises Capital Gains Tax to 15% for individuals/partnerships and to 30% for other entities. HNB Stockbrokers noted the current CGT definition does not include gains from trading listed equities.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, with the ASPI up 0.22% at 17,193.79 and the S&P SL20 up 0.63% at 5,139.63. Investor interest centred on banks and capital goods (notably Sampath, Commercial Bank and Hemas); Melstacorp, Distilleries, Sampath and Teejay Lanka declared cash dividends and Hemas plans a share sub-division.

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB.N0000) announced the winner of its seasonal credit-card promotion: Isuru Amarasekara wins an all-expenses-paid cruise aboard the 'Anthem of the Seas'. The promotion ran Nov 5–Dec 31, 2024, with entries earned per LKR 10,000 spent and a LKR 100,000 minimum spend to qualify.

Lankan Angel Network appointed PromoLanka CEO Adil Mansoor as 2025 Board Chairman and announced plans for Fund II after deploying Fund I (Rs.100 million into six start-ups). Capital Alliance CEO Nishok Goonasekera joined the board and HNB supported the event.

HNB, Commercial Bank and DFCC Bank are among multiple institutions sponsoring the Association of Professional Bankers of Sri Lanka's 35th Annual Convention scheduled for 19–20 February.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) partnered with Sri Lanka Agripreneurs’ Forum to run a chilli cultivation workshop in Rajanganaya attended by ~65 farmers, with Hayleys Agriculture Holdings presenting on advanced cultivation and pest management. The event also included HNB sessions on farmers' financial security.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 2.18% (362.03 pts) at 16,940.25, led by gains in diversified counters and bank stocks; the S&P SL20 rose 1.88% to 5,037.52, turnover was 4.8 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 513 million rupees.

John Keells Properties' VIMAN Street Cricket Cup 2025 concluded on 2 Feb 2025 at BOI Cricket Ground, Katunayake, promoting grassroots women's cricket with Devi Balika Vidyalaya (U16) and Anula Vidyalaya (U19) crowned champions. Sponsors included Union Bank of Colombo, Hatton National Bank and Ceylon Cold Stores (Elephant House), and the event ties into the VIMAN Ja-Ela property project.

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) is the Official Banking Partner of KALA South Asia 2025, supporting the month-long February art festival across multiple Colombo venues including Cinnamon Life and the University of Visual & Performing Arts.

ASPI rose ~232 points (1.41%) to 16,578 as the Colombo market returned to positive territory with turnover of Rs.3.58bn. Ceylinco, Central Finance, Sampath, LOLC and NDB were top positive contributors while CTC, HNB and SPEN weighed on the index; Ambeon, JKH and Printcare also gained.

ASPI fell 1.3% (221 pts) to 16,345 as the Colombo market stayed bearish for a second day with Rs.2.4bn turnover; the Banking sector led losses and turnover, with HNB, SAMP, DFCC, MELS and COMB the main negatives and CTC, RICH and COOP top positives.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 16,345.30 as turnover was Rs2.3bn, with banks weighing on the market. Major decliners included NDB, Seylan, HNB, Sampath and DFCC while Nations Trust, Colombo Dockyard and Ceylon Tobacco gained; net foreign outflow was Rs64m.

LOLC General Insurance signed an MoU with Hatton National Bank to expand bancassurance operations and offer HNB customers integrated insurance solutions.

Colombo bourse fell as the ASPI dropped 1.01% to 16,566 with turnover of Rs.2.07bn and foreigners closing as net sellers. CINS and JKH were among the main negatives while SAMP and GUAR were top positives; banking led turnover (29%) and capital goods plus food & beverage accounted for 33%.

Sri Lanka stocks fell, with the ASPI down 1.01% to 16,566.27 as investors awaited next week's government budget; turnover was low at Rs 2.07 billion and net foreign outflows totalled Rs 35.5 million, with financials and capital goods weighing on the market.

HNB PLC signed an MoU with Expo Property Developers to offer tailored home loans (competitive interest rates, flexible repayment plans and doorstep advisory) to Expo Grand Condominium buyers, with benefits valid until 31 December 2025.

Hatton National Bank PLC has completed full acquisition of Acuity Partners and rebranded it as HNB Investment Bank. Acuity’s group includes a primary dealer, a CSE stockbroker and LVL/LVEF entities; HNB says the move expands its investment-banking services and will leverage digital capabilities.