Company filings and market news from across Sri Lanka's stock market.
Colombo market slipped for a third day as the ASPI closed at 15,544 (down ~12 points) while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05%; turnover was Rs.1.09bn, 57% below the monthly average. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover, banking sentiment stayed weak; JKH, SUN, CCS rose while CFIN, DFCC and MELS lagged.
Sri Lanka stocks closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 15,543.99 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 4,608.41. Trading was volatile with Lion Brewery, Melstacorp, Central Finance, NTB and DFCC among top decliners, Haycarb and Hayleys Fiber gained and turnover was LKR 1.1bn.
The Trade Finance Association of Bankers held its 28th AGM on 19 February and re‑elected Shyam De Silva of Hatton National Bank as President; the body unveiled a new Vision/Mission and emphasised digital innovation, industry collaboration, global standards and professional development in trade finance.
NDB Bank has signed the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code, committing to expand access to finance for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises as Sri Lanka adopts the Code nationally.
Nations Trust Bank Private Banking (NTB.N0000) unveiled the 6th edition of Masterpieces – Art Rotation, expanding the exhibition to include sculptures and offering attendees 0% instalment plans to purchase works.
Nations Trust Bank (NTB.N0000) appointed three Independent Non-Executive Directors: Arjuna Kumar Wignaraja, Dr. Roshan Anne Perera and Coralie Pietersz. The appointees bring experience in strategy/private equity, central banking and risk, and finance/governance to strengthen the bank's board oversight.
Nations Trust Bank PLC appointed three Independent Non-Executive Directors — Arjuna Kumar Wignaraja, Dr. Roshan Anne Perera and Coralie Pietersz. The appointments add expertise in strategy, public policy, risk and finance, reinforcing the bank's governance and digital focus.
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.
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.
Coralie Pietersz has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Nations Trust Bank PLC. She has over 30 years' experience including prior senior finance roles at Commercial Bank, a past CFO role at Nations Trust Bank, and directorships at Bogala Graphite, United Motors and Panasian Power.
Nations Trust Bank listed 4,038,393 ordinary voting shares and 398,842 ordinary non-voting shares following a scrip dividend, effective 24 March 2025. Voting shares were listed at a proportion of 1 to 69.774255848947 and non-voting at 1 to 110.8366952; trading was LKR 193.25 (voting) and LKR 287.00 (non-voting).
Sri Lanka stocks closed marginally up as the ASPI rose 0.21% to 15,912.61 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.16% to 4,759.06; turnover was 1.9 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 140 million rupees.
Nations Trust Bank Plc (Nations Trust Bank American Express) launched the 'Style the Season #withAmex' Avurudu campaign offering exclusive cardmember privileges across dining, travel, fashion and home essentials, running until April 30, 2025.
Seeni Colombo completed a 330 km Pekoe Trail walk and handed funds to Paa Saviya to support subsidised diabetic wound care and development of specialised footwear, with support from Asia Asset Finance and Nations Trust Bank.
Colombo market fell 1.9% as the ASPI dropped 290 points to 15,711 on turnover of Rs.2.5bn, led by a selling spree; major negative contributors included HNB, SFCL, LOLC, COMB and HAYL. The banking sector accounted for 41% of turnover and its index lost 2.01%.
The ASPI rose 1.87% (about 296 pts) to 16,167 as the Colombo market staged a strong rebound and turnover doubled to Rs.5.18bn. The Banking sector led gains (Hatton, Nations Trust, National Development Bank, Sampath among top contributors) while capital goods and select stocks also saw heavy activity.
Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 1.94% (308.22 pts) at 16,178.47 with turnover of Rs 5.17 billion despite volatility. Banks regained investor interest and top contributors included Sampath, HNB, Hayleys and Bukit Darah, while John Keells, Hemas, Nations Trust and Browns saw high volumes.
CBSL Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe urged banks to tighten controls ahead of Sri Lanka’s upcoming AML/CFT evaluation and said a mock assessment by Dr. Gordon Hook will be conducted in March 2025. Regulators and the FIU highlighted expanded AI, digital controls and staff training to boost detection and compliance.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 1.89% to 16,167 and the S&P SL20 fell 2.08% to 4,828 as investors realised gains after IMF news; selling was concentrated in banking counters. HNB, Commercial Bank, Sampath, NDB and DFCC fell while Nations Trust Bank rose about 7.98%.
Dividend · 1:69.774256 at Rs 192.93 · XD Mar 6, 2025
Dividend; XD 2025-03-06; record 2025-03-06; payable 2025-03-20; FY 2024
Payable has processed over Rs.100 billion in transactions, and its strategic partnerships with Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath Bank, Seylan Bank and Nations Trust Bank have supported wider merchant adoption of digital payments in Sri Lanka.
PAYable processed over Rs. 100 billion in transactions and serves about 40,000 merchants; the payments platform says strategic partnerships with Sri Lanka’s leading banks, including Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Seylan Bank, Sampath Bank and Nations Trust Bank, support its growth.
Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.96% to 16,345.01 as stocks pulled back, dragged by financials amid thin turnover of LKR 2.3bn and a net foreign outflow of LKR 64m. Top decliners included Ceylinco, Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and LOLC while banking stocks saw the highest turnover.
Nations Trust Bank reported a 128% y/y jump in December-quarter profit to LKR 4.64 billion, driven mainly by a LKR 3.7 billion reversal of impairment charges after debt restructuring. Net interest income rose 9% to LKR 9.28 billion, deposits grew 10.6% and Tier-1 ratio improved to 21.47%.
Nations Trust Bank (NTB) reported Profit After Tax of Rs. 17 billion for the year ended 31 Dec 2024, up 46% YoY, with a Return on Equity of 24.22%. Impairment charges fell 69%, Net Stage 3 ratio was 1.6%, Total CAR 22.66% and Liquidity Coverage Ratio 320.56%.
Nations Trust Bank PLC reported PAT of LKR 17.0 Bn for the year ended 31 Dec 2024, up 46% YoY, with ROE of 24.22% and EPS of LKR 50.82. The bank also reported strong capital and liquidity — Total CAR 22.66% and LCR 320.56%.
Dividend · Rs 3.25 · XD Mar 6, 2025
Final dividend of LKR 3.25/share; XD 2025-03-06; record 2025-03-06; payable 2025-03-26; FY 31st December 2024
Dividend · Rs 3.25
Dividend of LKR 3.25/share; FY 2024
Colombo Stock Exchange fell 1.20% (ASPI down 202.38 pts to 16,686.93) as banking-sector selling weighed on the market and turnover slid to 2.1 billion rupees with share volume down 45%. Top negatives included HNB, NDB, Commercial Bank, Central Finance and DFCC; Access Engineering’s subsidiary signed a PPA with the CEB.