News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, ASPI up 0.79% (151.15 pts) at 19,243.08 and S&P SL20 up 0.57% at 5,689.62. Top contributors included DFCC, Carson Cumberbatch, NDB and NTB; banking stocks led turnover (Rs1.3bn) and the central bank kept the policy rate at 7.75%.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) launched Sri Lanka's first AI-powered SME credit underwriting solution to speed and personalise SME loan approvals. The machine-learning platform automates risk assessment and the bank plans to extend AI underwriting to personal, housing and card lending.

Private credit expanded by Rs133bn in May 2025 (up from Rs71bn in April), taking five‑month growth to Rs478.6bn, while commercial bank credit to government fell Rs53bn. The central bank cut its policy rate last month and central bank credit to government rose Rs123bn.

Government launches a Rs.6.5 billion concessionary loan scheme (1–15 Nov 2025) offering up to Rs.50 million per borrower at 7% interest to SME paddy millers and cooperatives to stabilise paddy prices; 15 state and private banks, including HNB, COMB, SAMP, DFCC, NDB, NTB, ABL, SEYB, CBNK and PABC, will disburse the funds.

LankaPay CEO Channa de Silva said the Fintech Forum aims to position Sri Lanka as a regional fintech hub, noting Rs.1.3tn in cash circulation and Rs.34tn in digital transactions last year and urging bank–fintech partnerships to boost rural financial inclusion.

CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe urged Sri Lankan banks to embed sustainable finance and pledged CBSL support for the Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0, stressing ESG risk management, transparent disclosures and potential regulatory incentives.

The Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 1.17% (204.84 pts) to 17,740.46 with turnover of 6.8 billion. Top contributors included C T Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Nations Trust Bank, Sunshine Holdings and Central Finance.

Colombo market fell as the ASPI closed down 0.45% (78 pts) at 17,281 while turnover rose to Rs.6.8bn led by crossings in Hayleys, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, L B Finance and John Keells. Foreign investors were net sellers with a Rs.115.7m outflow.

Sri Lanka stocks fell as the ASPI dropped 0.45% to 17,281.95 on Tuesday as escalating Middle East war uncertainty spooked investors. Turnover was 6.8 million rupees (above the monthly average) and the ASPI was weighed down by NDB, LOLC, DFCC Bank, Browns Investments and NTB.

Nations Trust Bank PLC hosted a Northern-region forum demonstrating its Nations Direct Enterprise (NDE) digital business banking solution to local entrepreneurs, aiming to promote digital adoption and provide customised, real-time banking support to regional businesses.

Nations Trust Bank PLC hosted an exclusive Northern-region forum showcasing its Nations Direct Enterprise (NDE) digital business banking platform to help local entrepreneurs adopt digital solutions and streamline operations.

Colombo market sustained an all-time high as the ASPI closed at 17,500.24, up 105.79 points (+0.61%) with turnover Rs.2.85bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.19.3m. Banking-led activity and retail buying drove gains, with Hayleys Fabric, Ceylinco, Ceylon Cold Stores, HNB and Ceylon Tobacco among top drivers.

Daraz Sri Lanka will run its 6.6 Mid-Year Sale from June 6–10 with discounts up to 85%, free shipping and over Rs.20 million in vouchers. Several banks — Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, NDB, Sampath and Hatton National — are payment partners offering extra savings and instalment plans.

Nations Trust Bank carried out an islandwide environmental clean-up across 7 beaches, 1 wetland and 2 lakes, mobilizing staff nationwide. The campaign builds on the bank’s ongoing sustainability partnerships and complements its broader ESG and digital-banking initiatives.

John Keells Holdings (JKH) reported recurring EBITDA up 12% to Rs.50.43bn for FY2024/25 excluding City of Dreams Sri Lanka, with group recurring PBT (ex-City of Dreams) rising 60% to Rs.22.93bn. City of Dreams pre-opening costs weighed on reported EBITDA while WCT-1 began commercial operations and Nuwa is due to open Aug 2025.

Galle Face Hotel's 1864 Limited Edition will host Michelin-starred Chef Serge Chenet for a three-day L’EXPÉRIENCE FRANÇAISE fine-dining event; NTB Amex and NTB Master cardholders receive a 20% discount.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) reported profit of 4 billion rupees in the March 2025 quarter, up 8% year-on-year, with EPS of 12.35 rupees. Tier I capital was 19.39% and total CAR 20.56%; customer deposits rose 7.4% to 413.1 billion rupees.

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) reported Profit After Tax of Rs. 4.0 billion for the quarter ended 31 March, up 8% YoY. The bank posted Tier I capital of 19.39%, total CAR 20.56%, LCR 270%, ROE 20.45% and EPS of Rs. 12.35 (vs Rs. 11.42).

Nations Trust Bank PLC reported Profit After Tax of LKR 4.0bn for the quarter ended 31 Mar 2025, up 8% YoY, with EPS LKR 12.35. The bank recorded ROE of 20.45%, Tier I capital 19.39% and Total CAR 20.56%, and maintained an LCR of 270%, highlighting digital growth via FriMi.

Nations Trust Bank PLC will host the Nations Trust Bank Golf Championship on 24 May 2025 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club with 230 players; a Junior Golf Championship for private banking clients will be held on 23 May. The announcement highlights the bank's customer engagement and its digital banking credentials (FriMi).

Dr Dayan Rajapakse was elected Chairman of the Federation of Information Technology (FITIS) at its 8th AGM on 30 April 2025. The new board includes industry representatives and an alternate member from Nations Trust Bank PLC, and FITIS will push toward a USD 15bn digital economy target by 2030.

NCGIL issued its first guarantees to Commercial Bank (COMB), Hatton National Bank (HNB) and Citizens Development Business Finance (CDB) to partly cover MSME loans under a new ADB-funded program (USD 50m), offering guarantees currently up to 67% of principal.

The CSE opened May on a mixed note as turnover hit a new high of Rs. 6 billion while the ASPI rose 52 points to 15,852; crossings in CT Holdings and Cargills dominated activity, together accounting for the bulk of turnover. Banking and food retail stocks, including Pan Asia Banking and Lankem, were also among top contributors.

NCGIL began operations and issued its first guarantees to Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank and Citizens Development Business Finance to partly cover loans to three MSMEs; the ADB-funded, GOSL-backed vehicle has USD50m funding and offers guarantees up to 67% for term loans (LKR 0.5m–25m).

The SEC, with ADB technical support, released a regulatory framework enabling issuance and trading of Green, Blue, Social and Sustainability‑Linked (GSS+) bonds on the Colombo Stock Exchange, allowing sovereigns and corporates to raise capital for environmental and social projects.

ASPI rose 0.33% to 15,851.74 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.12% to 4,638.29, with John Keells Holdings the top negative contributor. Banking stocks were mostly negative (HNB, Sampath, Commercial, NDB down; DFCC, NTB up) and exporters showed mixed moves (Teejay, Hayleys Fabric, Dipped Products, Haycarb).

ASPI rose 51.80 points (0.33%) to 15,851.74 as turnover hit Rs. 5.9bn, driven by Rs. 2bn crossings in C T Holdings and Cargills. Pan Asia Banking, C T Holdings, DFCC, Melstacorp and Nations Trust were top contributors while John Keells, HNB, Commercial Bank, NDB and Access Engineering weighed on the index.

Reconstitution of the Board Audit Review Committee (BARC), Board Integrated Risk Management Committee (BIRMC) and Human Resources and Remuneration Committee (HRRC) pursuant to the retirement of Ms. Rachini Rajapaksa, Independent Non-Executive Director from the Board of the Bank with effect from 29th April 2025.