News & market updates

Union Bank of Colombo (UBC.N0000) hosted Pensioners' Day and launched a competitive pension loan of up to Rs. 8 million at the bank's lowest interest rates, including Rs. 30,000 in annual PickMe rides for government pensioners. The event included partners such as Nawaloka Hospitals providing health screenings and services.

Union Bank (UBC.N0000) launched a competitive pension loan of Rs 8 million at the lowest interest rates while hosting a Pensioners' Day offering health screenings and benefits, including Rs 30,000 in annual PickMe rides for government pensioners; Nawaloka Hospitals participated as a partner.

NovaNest Properties launched Rainbow Apartments in Ratmalana, a new residential development with multiple amenities and a full-time medical centre backed by Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, including a 24-hour ambulance service.

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.

Union Bank (UBC) launched the Union Bank Pension Loan offering government and other pensioners up to Rs. 8 million with repayment up to 15 years, low interest and no personal guarantor; benefits include Rs.30,000 of annual PickMe rides, a Rs.7,000 yearly Nawaloka Hospitals health package and a pre-approved credit card.

Union Bank of Colombo (UBC.N0000) launched the Union Bank Pension Loan allowing government pensioners to borrow up to Rs. 8 million with up to 15-year repayment, low interest, no guarantor and benefits including LKR30,000 annual PickMe rides and a LKR7,000 yearly health package at Nawaloka Hospitals.

The ASPI edged up 0.01% to 22,256.49 with turnover above Rs.1.56bn and foreign investors net-selling Rs.225mn. Hemas, NDB and Hayleys Fibre were top turnover contributors (Hemas and Hayleys up, Panasian Power down).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed flat, with the ASPI up 0.01% at 22,256.49 and the S&P SL20 down 0.03% at 6,193.65. Top positives were LB Finance, National Development Bank, Aitken Spence and Nawaloka; declines came from Melstacorp, Central Finance, Sunshine and Windforce; turnover Rs 1.56bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the ASPI down 0.41% (95 points) to 22,920 and the S&P SL20 down 0.40% to 6,269. Banking stocks saw profit taking while top movers included Nawaloka Hospitals (+8.44%), LOLC (+0.83%) and Seylan Bank (+1.65%), and Ceylon Tobacco declared a first interim dividend of Rs.32.40.

The Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.32% (73.23 pts) to 22,566.58, with foreign investors a thin net buyer of Rs. 3.4m. Top negatives included Bukit Darah, Ceylon Beverage, RIL Property and Sampath; turnover was led by food & beverage while Ceylon Cold Stores and Nawaloka gained and Access Engineering and Softlogic Capital fell.

Colombo stocks rose 0.25% as foreign investors turned net buyers after a 21-session selling streak, recording a net inflow of Rs. 19.8 million and lifting the ASPI 55.45 points to 22,625.48. Top contributors included CINS, BUKI, CFIN, MELS and NHL, while consumer services led turnover and oil price moderation supported sentiment.

The Colombo market ended marginally higher — ASPI +0.02% to 23,655.68 — on turnover of Rs.3.35 billion with foreign net outflows of Rs.64 million. Top positive contributors included NHL, CFIN, CARG, JKH and LLUB, while Samson International, UB Finance and Sierra Cables led turnover.

Nawaloka Hospitals PLC will serve as Platinum Sponsor of Medicare 2026 and will unveil its AI-driven technologies at the event. The hospital is developing AI-powered CT, MRI, OCD and cardiac scanners and moving toward AI-integrated workflows to speed diagnostics and improve operations.

ASPI ended marginally up at 23,960.16 (+0.03%) on turnover of over Rs.5.2bn. Capital goods led turnover (31%) driven by Colombo Dockyard and John Keells, while diversified financials and banks contributed 21% and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.128.2m.

Nawaloka Hospitals PLC (NHL.N0000) marks 40 years of operations, emphasizing patient-centred care and responsible growth while highlighting recent integration of advanced and AI-supported medical technologies to improve diagnostics and clinical workflows.

The Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes appointed a new Governing Council for 2025–2027, naming Raveen Wickramasinghe as President. The council includes representatives from Asiri, Nawaloka, Lanka, Ceylon and Singhe hospitals and will focus on policy advocacy, quality and capacity building.

Nawaloka Hospitals Plc (NHL.N0000) was named Sri Lanka’s ‘Leading Hospital in AI and Innovation’ at the GlobalHealth Asia Pacific Awards 2025, driven by its introduction of the country’s first AI-powered Emergency Radiology Unit.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.39% (88 pts) to 22,777.12 with turnover around Rs 5.38bn and foreign investors net sellers of Rs 372.5m. Key movers included Windforce (+17.6%), Colombo Dockyard (-9.9%) and gains in LAUGFS Gas and Lanka Realty Investments.

Colombo market opened lower as the ASPI fell 0.10% to 22,788.79; major movers included Colombo Dockyard (DOCK +24.20%) and Ceylon Hospitals (CHL +25.64%), while C T Holdings, Central Finance and Richard Pieris were among the session's laggards.

ASPI fell 0.6% (128 pts) to 20,642 on turnover of Rs.6.5bn, led by Prime Lands Residencies (Rs.1.9bn), Chevron Lubricants and Sierra Cables; banks and blue-chip names including HNB, JKH and DFCC were top negative contributors.

Colombo market rebounded as ASPI rose 0.4% (S&P SL20 +0.6%) on turnover of Rs.11.87bn led by CT Holdings (Rs.3.6bn), Cargills (Rs.1bn), CDB, PickMe and Sierra Cables. Selected banks (HNB, NDB, NHL, BIL, DFCC) were top positive contributors while foreign investors were net sellers (Rs.2.6bn), with CT Holdings seeing net foreign selling.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.46% to 20,769, with a C T Holdings crossing contributing Rs 3.6bn to turnover; C T Holdings closed down Rs 29.75 at Rs 689. Banks led gains with HNB, NDB and DFCC up, while Sampath and Nations Trust fell.

Brand Finance published Sri Lanka's 100 Most Valuable Brands for 2025, ranking Bank of Ceylon top with a brand value of Rs.57,411m; Commercial Bank, Dialog and People’s Bank follow the top positions. The list covers firms across banking, telecoms, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality and other sectors.

Rienzie T. Wijetilleke, a veteran banker, has died aged 85; he served 24 years at Hatton National Bank (including as Managing Director and Non-Executive Chairman) and also held leadership/director roles at Sunshine Holdings, Nawaloka Hospitals and DFCC Bank.

Nawaloka Hospitals PLC launched an AI-powered OPD chatbot (NASHA) and an integrated corporate chatbot on its website to improve patient interaction and service efficiency. The platform-agnostic tools are designed to enhance productivity, operational efficiency and personalized care.

Nawaloka Hospitals is the Official Healthcare Partner for the Sri Lanka Super Series 2025, which was launched on 23 April 2025 with BetSS.com as title sponsor; the series will stage multiple races across the year and be broadcast live.