News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.54% on Friday and 3.45% over the week, led by gains in John Keells, Commercial Bank, Vallibel One, Carson Cumberbatch and Nations Trust Bank. Market turnover fell to 8.5 billion rupees and Renuka Agri Foods and Sampath Bank recorded crossings.

John Keells Holdings PLC led a consortium donating Rs. 400 million to the government's 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' Fund for Cyclone Ditwah relief; contributors included Nations Trust Bank (Rs.100m), SAGT (Rs.100m), Union Assurance (Rs.50m) and Elephant House (Rs.50m).

John Keells Holdings PLC-led consortium contributed Rs. 400 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund for Cyclone Ditwah relief; contributions included Nations Trust Bank Rs.100m, SAGT Rs.100m and Rs.50m each from Lanka Marine, Jaykay Marketing, Union Assurance and Elephant House.

Government will launch a concessionary pledge loan scheme from 1 Jan to help SME paddy millers access loans up to Rs.50 million at 7% for 180 days. Fifteen banks will participate, including COMB.N0000, HNB.N0000, SAMP.N0000, DFCC.N0000, NDB.N0000, NTB.N0000, ABL.N0000, CBNK.N0000 and PABC.N0000; total disbursements ~Rs.10bn.

Colombo Dockyard's continued sell-off pushed the CSE ASPI down 1.13% (68.27 points) to 21,898.20, with Dockyard closing at Rs107, down Rs35.50. HNB, Cargills and John Keells also fell; market turnover was Rs2.7bn and Dockyard received Rs27.1m of net foreign inflow.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run a Jingle Sale from Dec 19–31 offering free delivery, up to 85% off and Rs. 80 million in vouchers. Customers can unlock extra savings (up to 15%) with select banks including Commercial Bank, Sampath, NDB, Nations Trust and via LOLC's KOKO BNPL (up to 12%).

Banks agreed to grant distressed businesses 3–6 month extensions on existing loan repayments without additional interest or fees following Cyclone Ditwah. They also agreed on low-interest concessional loans, a common implementation mechanism and a shared database to coordinate support.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) has received CBSL approval to acquire HSBC Sri Lanka’s retail banking business for Rs.18 billion, with completion expected in H1 2026. The deal will transfer about 200,000 customer accounts including premium clients, credit cards and retail loans to NTB.

AFC Asia Frontier Fund co-manager Ruchir Desai said Sri Lanka is now one of the fund’s top country picks, having raised allocation since November 2022, citing regained political and economic stability, undervalued equities (market ~11x earnings) and strong bank and consumer earnings.

Nations Trust Bank received Central Bank approval to acquire HSBC Sri Lanka's retail banking business, adding about 200,000 customer accounts; completion is expected in the first half of 2026.

Nations Trust Bank PLC's Board approved a Basel III–compliant Tier 2 debenture issue of up to Rs.15 billion, initially issuing 100 million debentures to raise Rs.10 billion with an option for 50 million more. The issue is intended to strengthen the bank’s capital base to support future growth; coupon, tenure and timeline to be announced.

John Keells Holdings delivered a broadly in-line Q2 FY26 with retail (BYD: 3,705 vehicles), consumer foods and financial services—led by Nations Trust Bank—driving growth; City of Dreams Sri Lanka became fully operational in Aug 2025 and was close to EBITDA breakeven.

Hatton National Bank MD/CEO Damith Pallewatte set out HNB's 'Road to 2030', prioritising digitalisation and remittance-capture as growth drivers and citing worker remittances up ~20% y/y to nearly $6.5bn. He urged banks to align with Budget 2025 targets including a 12% digital-economy goal and DPI like SL-UDI and asset registries.

The CSE introduced the 'GSS+ Bonds' regulatory framework in March 2025 to list green, social and sustainability bonds, and Bank of Ceylon has aligned its ESG systems and investment banking division to facilitate such issuances.

Nations Trust Bank PLC renewed its partnership with Colombo Fashion Week’s Luxury Edit: Couture + Trousseau 2025 as the Official Fashion Card for a ninth consecutive year, offering select NTB American Express cardmembers complimentary access on 22–23 November 2025.

Colombo ASPI fell 1.01% to 23,223.68, dragged by financial and capital goods stocks with top decliners including Ceylinco Holdings, Senkadagala Finance, Bukit Darah, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank. Nations Trust Bank reported September-quarter profit up 48% to Rs 6.1bn and its stock closed higher.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) reported nine-month PAT of Rs. 14.9 billion, up 23% YoY, with customer lending up 45% YoY to Rs. 131 billion and ROE of 23.2%. NTB has signed to acquire HSBC Sri Lanka's retail banking operations, subject to regulatory approval and expected to complete in H1 2026.

Nations Trust Bank reported a 48% year-on-year rise in quarterly profit to 6.1 billion rupees for the September quarter. The bank said higher net interest income drove results and expects its agreed acquisition of HSBC’s Sri Lanka retail business (≈200,000 accounts) to fuel further growth.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) reported PAT of LKR 14.9Bn for the nine months to 30 Sep 2025, up 23% YoY. NTB also signed an agreement to acquire HSBC Sri Lanka's retail banking operations (about 200,000 accounts), subject to regulatory approval and expected to complete in H1 2026.

DFCC Bank will acquire Standard Chartered Sri Lanka’s wealth and retail banking business for Rs. 3.7 billion. The transaction, to be financed from DFCC’s internal funds and completed by early 2026 pending Central Bank approval, covers priority banking, cards, retail lending, deposits and SME portfolios.

NCCSL and KPMG held a post-Budget 2026 seminar stressing fiscal discipline and a development focus, noting the VAT threshold has been lowered to Rs. 36 million per annum. Panelists highlighted priorities of digitalisation, export diversification, SME empowerment and sustained public investment.

Myland Developments PLC appointed Savanth Sebastian and Ravi Goonetilleke as Independent Non‑Executive Directors and Dr. Kanchana Narangoda as an Executive Director. The appointees bring experience and links to firms including Ambeon Capital, Colombo City Holdings, Dankotuwa Porcelain, Hemas and Nations Trust Bank.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run its 11.11 Biggest Sale from Nov 10 (8:00pm) to Nov 21 with discounts up to 90%, Rs.120 million in vouchers and sitewide flash deals. Participating banks (NTB, HNB, NDB, Commercial Bank, Sampath, DFCC, Pan Asia) and brands including Hayleys will offer additional partner discounts and instalment options.

The Chief Internal Auditor’s Forum of Banks appointed its 7th committee at the AGM on 30 July 2025, naming Dulan Abeyratne (HSBC) as President and including committee members from NDB, DFCC, Cargills Bank, Pan Asia, Amana Bank and Nations Trust Bank.

JF Packaging's IPO was oversubscribed within hours; 51,724,144 shares at LKR 11.60 are being offered to raise LKR 600 million. The company will use LKR 439,464,493 to settle term loans (including with Nations Trust Bank) and LKR 160,535,577 for revolving import loans.

Colombo Fashion Week will introduce a new Couture + Trousseau season in November 2025 focused on bridal and destination-wedding fashion; Nations Trust Bank, Cinnamon Grand and Lanka Tiles are named partners for the season.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) has announced a partnership with Yevan David, Sri Lanka’s first FIA Formula 3 driver, to support his 2026 FIA F3 campaign. NTB says the tie-up aligns with its focus on lifestyle experiences and digital empowerment.

Nations Trust Bank partnered in the Central Bank’s "Pay Digital" initiative in Dambulla, showcasing digital solutions (Nations Direct, FriMi) and offering instant account openings. The event, attended by CBSL officials, is the third in a series promoting cashless payments.