News & market updates

National Development Bank PLC concluded the final chapter of its 'Education for Conservation' project with a Citizen Science Field Workshop (1–3 Apr 2025), training over 150 students and teachers and launching Sri Lanka’s first Citizen Science Toolkit.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.28% to 15,538.64 after a 90-day pause on US "Liberation day" tariffs sparked market uncertainty and softer volumes. Banks led losses and top negative contributors included Sampath, NDB and Malwatte (down 11.4%), while CIC and Alumex saw small gains.

The CSE and SEC hosted an Issuer Forum in Gampaha to help SMEs explore capital raising via listing on the Empower and Diri Savi boards. The event drew over 70 participants and featured speakers from NDB Investment Bank, the SEC, the CSE and Mahaweli Coconut Plantations.

NDB Bank has signed the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code to expand access to finance for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises in Sri Lanka, following the Code’s national adoption in March 2025.

National Development Bank (NDB.N0000) promotes NDB Credit Cards with up to 70% savings across 400+ merchants and 0% instalment plans up to 36 months. Offers include weekly supermarket discounts, travel benefits and 0% healthcare/education instalments, available immediately to cardholders.

NDB Bank hosted an Exporter's Forum in Kurunegala on 4 April, presenting tailored business banking, trade finance and treasury solutions to support SME exporters and promote export development.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) will introduce 0% Merchant Discount Rate for LANKAQR transactions below Rs.10,000 for HNB-appointed merchants from 1 April to 30 June 2025. The move targets higher digital uptake during the Avurudu season and to capture cross-border tourist payments via LankaQR's UPI/UnionPay/Alipay links.

National Development Bank PLC (NDB.N0000) will be the Official Banking Partner for Trinity College for the 2025 Schools Rugby Season, the fourth consecutive year of the sponsorship. NDB CEO Kelum Edirisinghe said the partnership underscores the bank's commitment to youth development and sporting excellence.

Hatton National Bank will waive Merchant Discount Rates on LANKAQR transactions under Rs.10,000 for HNB-appointed merchants from 1 April–30 June 2025. The three-month offer targets more than 30,000 HNB merchants to boost digital payments during the Avurudu season and leverage LankaPay/UPI/Alipay integrations.

The Colombo market opened April higher, with the ASPI up 119 points (0.76%) on turnover of Rs. 1.9 billion. Banking stocks saw early selling around XD dates while blue-chips and capital goods (e.g. Hayleys, John Keells, Melstacorp) were key contributors.

SEC has cautioned the Colombo Stock Exchange over lapses in disclosures on pending litigation in LTL Holdings' IPO and cited lack of due diligence by the joint managers, which included NDB Investment Bank Ltd. The IPO had aimed to raise up to Rs.20bn to fund a 350MW LNG plant and a 100MW solar project.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.76% to 15,934.38 as buying interest returned, but turnover remained light at 1.91 billion rupees. Top contributors included Melstacorp, Hayleys, HNB, NDB and LOLC, with banks, capital goods and diversified financials leading turnover.

NDB Wealth (National Development Bank PLC) launched Xapp, a fully digital investment platform offering expert-managed portfolios and access to its Money Market Fund yielding 8.00% annualised as of 6 March.

National Development Bank PLC's NDB Wealth launched Xapp, a fully digital investment platform offering paperless onboarding and access to expert-managed funds, including NDB Wealth Money Market Funds yielding 8.00% annualized as of March 6, 2025. The app provides real-time tracking, clear fees and easy fund access.

The Colombo market closed marginally up with the ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.4% as turnover rose to Rs.2.14bn, led by Lankem Ceylon (LCEY) which accounted for about Rs.1.1bn. Capital goods and banking drove activity, with notable movers including HNB, SAMP, COMB, JKH and LIOC.

ASPI rose 33 points (0.2%) as turnover hit Rs.1.9 billion, led by crossings in Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank and CIC Holdings; banking stocks were the main drivers while materials also saw heavy trading.

ASPI rose 0.1% for the week and jumped 1.4% (216 points) on Friday as banking and capital goods stocks led gains. Turnover averaged Rs.1.9 billion for the week and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.140.2 million.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.38% to 15,879.33 as buying interest returned, led by gains in Commercial Bank, HNB, NDB, DFCC and Carson Cumberbatch; turnover fell to 1.66 billion rupees and there was a net foreign outflow of 140 million rupees.

NDB Bank (NDB.N0000) held an investor and analysts earnings call on 12 March to present FY2024 results, with CEO Kelum Edirisinghe highlighting strong financial performance. Management emphasised cost-of-funds optimisation, portfolio quality, digital transformation, CASA and loan growth outlook and discussed interest rate expectations; transcripts will be posted on the bank's website.

NDB Bank supported Mrs. Janaki Fernando at the South Asia Masters Athletics Open Championship 2025 (10–12 Jan, India); she won five gold medals, and NDB highlighted its role in enabling her performance.

Colombo market closed higher — ASPI +12 points, S&P SL20 +19 with turnover of Rs.1.25bn. Major contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath while John Keells, Hemas, Browns, LOLC and Ceylon Cold Stores were among laggards; foreigners were net buyers of Rs.14.2m.

The ASPI fell 1.6% (255 points) as selling continued with banking and blue-chip stocks leading declines; turnover was Rs. 1.7bn (below the monthly average) and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 50.5m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed marginally up 0.18% at 15,421.54 as buying returned after a three-day slide, led by gains in Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath; turnover fell to 1.25 billion rupees and net foreign inflow was 14 million rupees.

NDB Bank partnered with Educate Expo 2025 as the Official Banking Partner and showcased its NDB Student File student-financing product. The product offers up to 75% course fee coverage, OTT fee waiver on first payment, AIA insurance cover, 0% 12-month installments for visa fees on NDB cards and ISIC privileges.

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) held an investor and analysts earnings call on 12 March after releasing FY2024 results; CEO Kelum Edirisinghe highlighted strong financial performance, cost-of-funds optimisation, improved portfolio quality, digital transformation and commentary on loan growth and interest-rate outlook.

The ASPI fell about 211 points (1.35%) as the CSE opened lower on a selling spree with turnover of Rs.1.27 billion. Banking counters led the decline while capital goods and food & beverage drove turnover; major laggards included MELS, NDB and SAMP.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 15,645.30 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.52% to 4,662.66 as turnover fell to 1.27 billion rupees and volumes declined; top decliners included Melstacorp, NDB, Sampath Bank, DFCC and Aitken Spence.

NDB Bank launched the “Remittance Festival Rewards!” campaign offering customers who receive Western Union remittances at NDB branches a chance to win prizes, selecting three winners weekly until April 13, 2025.

ASPI rose 0.1% yesterday but is down 3.8% so far in March; turnover fell to Rs. 792.5m, led by Food, Beverage & Tobacco (28%), Banking (20%) and Capital Goods (18%). Agarapatana, Hayleys, Hemas and Sampath were among gainers while Bukit Darah, C T Holdings, Access Engineering and NDB were notable laggards.

National Development Bank PLC (NDB), with Newsfirst, launched the fifth Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana Awards on 6 March 2025, introducing a five-year sustainability model to empower women entrepreneurs and target a cohort of women exporters to enter global markets by 2030.