News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange indices were trading higher midday, the ASPI up 0.36% (76.41 pts) at 21,205.62 and the S&P SL20 up 0.38% at 5,962.29; market turnover was Rs 314 million, with banks leading at Rs 122.7 million. Asia Asset Finance said 41,398,511 preference shares will be deemed converted into 53,348,596 ordinary shares at Rs 7.76 each effective Aug 10 (pref shares trade ends Aug 6; ordinary shares from Sep 16).

Sampath Bank PLC held its fifth SME Business Circle in Jaffna, bringing SME entrepreneurs, partners and bank leaders together to discuss growth, resilience and access to innovative banking solutions. The bank highlighted its end-to-end AI capability for SME banking and hosted sessions on sustainability, market outlook and partner technology demonstrations.

Sri Lanka's top 100 brands rose 17% to a combined Rs652bn, surpassing the 2019 peak of Rs630bn, says Brand Finance's Sri Lanka 100 2026 report. Banking accounted for 42% (Rs275bn) of the total; BOC remained most valuable while Commercial Bank, Sampath, Nations Trust, Dialog, Keells and PickMe all saw brand value gains.

Colombo Stock Exchange indices were trading higher midday: ASPI up 0.13% (26.86 pts) at 21,175.57 and S&P SL20 up 0.23% at 5,959.94, with retailing leading turnover at LKR 1.029 billion. Seylan Bank reported Q2 profit attributable to equity holders of LKR 3.21 billion, up 16.31% y/y.

Brand Finance's Sri Lanka 100 2026 report shows the combined value of the nation's top 100 brands rose 17% to a record LKR652 billion, surpassing the 2019 peak; banking brands account for 42% (LKR275bn). Several listed firms including Commercial Bank, Dialog, Sampath, Nations Trust, PickMe and John Keells recorded brand-value gains.

Sampath Bank hosted an SME Business Circle in Jaffna to engage SME customers and promote long-term business success through knowledge sharing, access to innovative banking and digital solutions, and sessions on sustainability and market outlook.

Brand Finance's Sri Lanka 100 2026 report: the combined brand value of the top 100 Sri Lankan brands rose 17% to a record Rs. 652 billion, surpassing the 2019 peak. Banking brands account for 42% (Rs. 275bn) of the total; several banks and digital brands posted double-digit gains.

Sampath Bank PLC held its fifth SME Business Circle in Jaffna to connect SME entrepreneurs with the bank's leadership, strategic partners and advisory sessions. The event highlighted the bank's AI-enabled SME banking capabilities, sustainability guidance and networking with partners offering automation and agri solutions.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower, with the ASPI down 0.38% to 21,148.71 and market turnover of Rs.1.094 billion; capital goods led turnover at Rs.389 million. Bogala Graphite reported an indirect change of control (shares down 2.01%) and Lankem Ceylon disclosed a Rs.500m corporate guarantee for its subsidiary (shares up 5.23%).

Colombo bourse traded mixed midday with the ASPI down 0.12% to 21,203.70 and market turnover at Rs200.5mn, led by capital goods (Rs58.5mn). Commercial Bank said its Basel III subordinated debentures will be listed on July 30, 2026; JAT Holdings declared a final dividend of Rs0.72 (ex-div Aug 7, 2026).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, the ASPI rose 0.20% (41.92 pts) to 21,229.14 and turnover was Rs 2.02bn with retail leading at Rs 1.04bn. SANASA Life said escrow proceeds were released and invested in government securities, and Odel restarted construction on Zone 1 of its mall with completion expected in 1.5-2 years.

The CSE opened higher with the ASPI up 0.07% at 21,187.22 and the S&P SL20 up 0.10% at 5,948.74; market turnover exceeded Rs.2bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.15.7m). John Keells, Hayleys and HNB were key contributors while capital goods and banking led turnover.

CSE indices rose modestly and turnover reached Rs.2.07 billion, led by John Keells Holdings with Rs.661 million traded; ASPI closed up 14.48 pts at 21,187.22 and S&P SL20 gained 6.18 pts to 5,948.74.

Sampath Bank (via its Employees' Union and Sustainability Unit) supported essential upgrades at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, refurbishing a blood-filtration machine, installing air-conditioning in the physiotherapy unit, adding directional signboards and child-friendly decorations.

Colombo market extended its rebound as the ASPI rose 0.24% (49.81 pts) to 21,199.37 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.22% to 5,945.87, with turnover about Rs.1.1bn and foreigners net sellers of Rs.188.6m. Top contributors included HNB, CARS, CINS, NDB and TKYO; NDB, SAMP and PKME gained while MELS fell and JKH closed flat.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) says sustainability is a core strategic imperative, citing its successful Rs. 10 billion Sustainability Bond issuance and its decision to exclude coal financing. The bank urged board-level governance, better climate data and alignment with CBSL’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 and the SLSBI to integrate sustainability across Sri Lankan banks.

Sampath Bank's Basel III-compliant Tier 2 Green Bond issue was oversubscribed with applications exceeding Rs.10 billion, prompting the offer to close early on 17 July; the issue had targeted Rs.7 billion with an option to expand to Rs.10 billion.

Sampath Bank PLC's digital commercial for its Wewata Jeewayak CSR initiative won Runner-Up at the Sumathi Awards 2026. The ad highlighted the resilience of farming communities and the bank's work restoring village irrigation tanks.

Sampath Bank's digital CSR commercial 'Wewata Jeewayak' was runner-up at the Sumathi Awards 2026. The ad spotlights the bank's initiative to restore and revitalise village irrigation tanks supporting farming communities.

The Exporters Association of Sri Lanka elected Nalaka Ratnayake as Chairperson at its 29th AGM; the new Executive Committee includes representatives from CIC Holdings, Hayleys, Dipped Products, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank and Lion Brewery. Speakers urged faster trade digitalisation, lower export costs and improved logistics to boost competitiveness.

Colombo's ASPI fell 1.7% this week while turnover hit a 65-week low of about Rs. 722.64 million; top drags on the index included John Keells (JKH), PKME and NDB. Banking led turnover (notably Sampath Bank) and activity was concentrated in capital goods, food & beverage and energy names.

Colombo bourse snapped a three-day decline as the ASPI rose 0.14% to 21,447.57 with turnover near Rs.1.5bn and foreign net selling of Rs.26.9m; gains were led by DIAL, HAYC, CFIN, JKH and CTHR.

The Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026 will be held on 22 July 2026 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo under the theme 'Future-Ready Sri Lankan Directors: From Compliance to Sustainable Growth.' Key speakers include Kalpana Morparia and local governance leaders such as Dr. Harsha Cabral (Chairman, Tokyo Cement) and Harsha Amarasekera (Chairman, CIC Holdings and Sampath Bank).

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.03% to 21,417.80, extending a third straight day of losses on profit taking and net foreign outflows of Rs.36.7m. Banking led turnover (27%) while Haycarb, Chevron Lubricants, John Keells and Hayleys were among top contributors.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) will list Rs10 billion of Basel III-compliant tier-2 green bonds, offering 13.00% and 13.25% coupons for 5- and 7-year maturities; Fitch assigned the issue a final National Long-Term Rating of A(lka). Subscription opens July 17.

Commercial Bank will open subscriptions on 16 July for up to Rs.20bn of Basel III-compliant subordinated debentures and Sampath Bank will open on 17 July for up to Rs.10bn of Basel III-compliant Tier-2 green bonds. Commercial Bank offers 5/7/10-year series at 13.00–13.25%; Sampath offers 5- and 7-year series at 13% and 13.25%.

Serendib Hotels PLC appointed banking veteran Janakan Selvaratnam as an Independent Director. He has 25 years at Citibank Sri Lanka, consults to Sampath Bank's Board Credit Committee, and serves on the boards of Eden Hotel Lanka and Palm Garden Hotels.

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat as the ASPI rose 0.01% to 21,426.43, with banks leading turnover at 327.4 million rupees. Haycarb, John Keells and Ceylon Cold Stores were top gainers while HNB, Central Finance and Commercial Bank were top decliners; Digital Mobility Solutions disclosed ESOP allotments and its shares closed down 0.30%.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.39% (83.87 pts) to 21,508.86, with banks leading turnover at Rs 41.8 million. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company proposed a first and final dividend of Rs 25 per share for the year ended March 31.