News & market updates

LOLC Securities' Investor Forum said a sovereign credit rating upgrade could attract foreign inflows as CSE market capitalisation rose to about Rs.7.6 trillion (from Rs.2.9 trillion in 2022). The forum highlighted stabilised macro fundamentals, recovering exports and tourism, and sectoral opportunities in finance, construction and export-oriented industries.

Daraz Sri Lanka’s 3.3 sale runs 2–7 March with up to 85% off, free delivery and Rs. 20 million in vouchers. Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, LOLC Finance and Sampath Bank are listed as partner banks offering sitewide card offers and installment plans up to 36 months.

LOLC Holdings MD/CEO Kapila Jayawardena was named CEO of the Year – Conglomerates at the Global CEO Forum 2025. The award recognises his role in steering LOLC’s expansion and institutional transformation across its diversified group.

LOLC Finance (LOFC.N0000) renewed its ISO 14064-1:2018 greenhouse gas verification certificate for the third consecutive year, with independent verification of Scope 1–3 emissions covering its head office and more than 200 branches nationwide.

LOLC Finance (LOFC.N0000) launched the LOLC Super Savings Account, a tiered-interest savings product with a minimum opening deposit of Rs. 15,000 that offers progressively higher returns as balances grow. The product targets customers with informal or seasonal incomes and aims to combine flexibility with higher yields for short-term reinvestment and savings goals.

LOLC Finance (LOFC) launched Exclusive Short-Term Fixed Deposits with 4- and 7-month maturities at competitive rates and reported FY2024/25 PAT of Rs.25.1bn and H1 FY2025/26 PAT of Rs.14bn (72% YoY). The company holds a gross lending portfolio of Rs.360.2bn, customer deposits of Rs.238.6bn and an A+ (Stable) rating.

Seminar on safeguards under the amended Companies Act No. 12 of 2025 will be held on 27 Jan (2–5pm) at NH Collection, Colombo 3. Organisers say the amendments place new responsibilities and stricter penal sanctions on company secretaries and directors; speakers include HNB and LOLC Insurance chairs.

Aggregate profits of 273 listed companies fell 12% YoY to Rs.176.5 billion in Sep-25, ending a seven-quarter growth streak. Banks (Rs.52bn, +39% YoY) and diversified financials (Rs.39bn, +112% YoY) underpinned a QoQ rebound, while food, beverage & tobacco and capital goods posted steep declines.

The Central Bank fined seven firms a combined Rs.9.5m for AML/CFT non-compliance, including Rs.2m on LOLC Finance, Rs.1m on Pan Asia Bank and Rs.1m on National Development Bank for failures in reporting and sanctions screening.

Sri Lanka's Financial Intelligence Unit collected Rs9.5mn in administrative penalties from reporting institutions, including LOLC Finance, National Development Bank and Pan Asia Banking, for AML/CFT non-compliance for July–September 2025. The penalties were credited to the Consolidated Fund.

The CSE announced S&P SL20 rebalancing effective 22 December: four stocks were added (Access Engineering, People’s Leasing, Singer Sri Lanka, Sunshine Holdings) and five were removed (Ceylon Cold Stores, Chevron Lubricants Lanka, Commercial Bank Non-Voting, LOLC Finance, Royal Ceramics).

Colombo Bourse closed lower with the ASPI down 0.17% (37.12 pts) to 22,292.57 on subdued activity and profit-taking, with turnover over Rs.2.3bn. Top negative contributors included DOCK, SFCL, RICH, MELS and BREW, while Tokyo Cement and Hemas saw notable investor participation.

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI slipped 0.02% to 22,329.69 with turnover of Rs. 3.32 billion; top negatives were Commercial Bank, DFCC, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah and John Keells while Carson Cumberbatch, Browns Investments and LOLC Finance provided support.

LOLC Finance (LOFC.N0000) listed and raised 15 billion rupees via 5-year rated, senior, unsecured debentures offered at par, carrying interest rates of 11.5% and 10.95%.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed 0.02% lower as the ASPI slipped to 22,329.69, with banks and capital-goods names dragging the market. LOLC Finance filed to list Rs 15bn of debentures; turnover rose to Rs 3.3bn and net foreign outflow was Rs 130.44m.

Colombo stock market rose for a third straight session, gaining Rs.119.7 billion as the ASPI climbed 1.76% to 22,422.43; capital goods and materials led turnover, with JKH down to Rs.20.90 while DOCK, SIRA and AEL advanced.

LOLC Finance (LOFC) reported its Rs. 10 billion debenture issue was oversubscribed on 3 December and it will close subscriptions without exercising the Rs. 5 billion additional option; the basis of allotment will be announced in due course.

LOLC Finance PLC's Factoring Business offers upfront cash financing of up to 85% of credit sales and operates through a network of over 200 branches. The unit provides non-collateral, receivable-management solutions (including a Shariah-compliant option) and supports sectors such as supermarkets, pharmaceuticals and plantations.

Colombo market slid as the ASPI fell 0.80% (182.14 pts) to 22,662.09 and turnover dropped to about Rs.2.34 billion, a near five-month low. Banking counters (SAMP, COMB, HNB) and names including RICH, Hemas, Access Engineering, ACL Cables and Diesel & Motor drove the declines and top turnover.

LOLC Finance received CSE approval to list up to Rs.15 billion of five-year debentures (subscription opens 2 Dec) comprising fixed 11.25% (AER), fixed 10.95% (semi-annual, AER 11.25%) and floating at 364-day T-bill +2.50%. The company reported strong earnings — Sep quarter after-tax profit Rs.8.8bn (106% YoY) and nine-month profit Rs.14bn.

ASPI fell 1.47% to 22,644.88, a five-week low, while the S&P SL20 dropped 1.33% to 6,279.71. Declines in banks and blue-chips led losses (notably HNB, RICH, NDB, SAMP and JKH); turnover was Rs.4.95bn with foreigners net buying ~Rs.83.2m and heavy activity in Hemas, DOCK and York.

LOLC Finance PLC ranked 14th in Brand Finance's Top 100 Most Valuable Brands of Sri Lanka and No.1 among NBFIs, with a brand value of Rs. 11,528 Million and an AA+ rating.

The Colombo bourse fell, with the ASPI down 0.53% to 22,982.72 (slipping below 23,000) and the S&P SL20 down 0.28% to 6,364.61. Foreigners were net sellers (Rs.163.8m yesterday; Rs.461.8m net outflow for the week); Bukit Darah and Ambeon were among decliners while Renuka Agri and Access Engineering drew buying interest.

Colombo Bourse closed higher as ASPI rose 0.33% (75.10 pts) to 23,104.96 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.32% to 6,382.18 on turnover of Rs.3.49 billion, with foreign investors net selling Rs.40.9m. Sampath, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah, John Keells and Carson were key positive contributors while Commercial Bank and CIC rose and Melstacorp fell.

LOLC Finance said the Central Bank approved its proposed Rs. 15 billion debenture issue. The issue covers up to 150 million listed, rated, unsecured, senior, redeemable debentures after the company trimmed an earlier Rs. 20 billion plan; LOFC posted strong recent profits.

LOLC Finance will issue 150 million debentures to raise Rs15 billion, offering listed senior unsecured debentures at Rs100 each with Central Bank approval and plans to list them on the Colombo Stock Exchange.

LOLC Finance reported a PAT of Rs.14.0 billion for 1H (up 72% YoY) and gross lending rose 18% to Rs.360.2 billion. Deposits grew 6% to Rs.238.6 billion, total assets rose 8% to Rs.466.3 billion and Lanka Rating Agency upgraded its rating to A+ (Stable).

LOLC Finance PLC appointed Jayantha Fernando as a Non-Executive Independent Director. He brings nearly 30 years' ICT and tech-law experience, including leadership on Sri Lanka's PDPA and cybercrime legislation.