News & market updates

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.64% to 19,786.23 after earlier crossing the 20,000 mark, with turnover sliding to LKR 4.5bn. Banking counters saw buying while large caps including ACL Cables, Melstacorp, Hayleys and Central Finance weighed on the index.

Sri Lanka’s central bank sold 231.9 billion rupees (~$770m) of foreign exchange to the government unsterilized in H1 2025, reducing banking-system liquidity. The operations are likely to tighten liquidity and put upward pressure on interbank rates.

Colombo market extended its positive streak to nine days as the ASPI rose about 34 points (0.17%) on turnover of Rs.5.28 billion. Key contributors included MELS, SEYB, CTC, ACL and SAMP; ACL rose Rs.6.50 while Access Engineering fell 30 cents, and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.36.2m.

Colombo bourse closed marginally higher as the ASPI rose 0.17% to 19,566.15, led by capital goods and bank stocks. John Keells reported a Rs.803.7mn loss in the June quarter and Ceylon Cold Stores' June-quarter net fell 7% to Rs.1,092.7mn.

HNB CEO Damith Pallewatte outlines HNB's plan to channel private capital into agrimodernisation and exporters, targeting 30,000 Agripreneurs under HNB Sarusara. He cites 4.8% GDP growth in 1Q25 and an 800bp policy‑rate cut since 2023 as supporting conditions.

The Association of Professional Bankers hosted a panel at the Bank of Ceylon where CISOs from Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank and other experts discussed strengthening cyber risk supervision and digital resilience for the banking sector.

Sampath Bank PLC launched Private Banking units at six branches (Kandy, Kurunegala, Narahenpita, Negombo, Panadura and Wellawatte) on 25 July. The expansion broadens the bank's premium wealth-management offering and the bank plans further rollouts to additional locations.

Sampath Bank PLC opened Private Banking units at six branches (Kandy, Kurunegala, Narahenpita, Negombo, Panadura and Wellawatte) on 25 July 2025 to expand its wealth management offerings. The board attended the launches and the bank plans further network expansion.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.71% to 19,379.24 on anticipation of strong earnings, with turnover of 6.2 billion rupees. Brokers noted renewed interest in banks and index-heavy John Keells ahead of its Aug. 2 casino opening; selected banks closed mixed.

Colombo market closed a healthy week: ASPI +2.3%, S&P SL20 +3.1%, average daily turnover Rs.9.88bn and net foreign inflow Rs.373.9m. Key contributors included Central Finance, Hayleys, John Keells, Sampath and Singer; John Keells rose to Rs.25.50 while HNB fell to Rs.358.50 and Seylan (non-voting) rose to Rs.66.30.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.51% to 18,973 after US-Sri Lanka tariff talks were reported to resume, with Central Finance, Hayleys, John Keells and Sampath Bank leading gains. The Finance Ministry said discussions aim to reduce a 30% tariff rate and seek duty-free access for over 800 items to the US.

SampathCards has partnered with Hilton Colombo to offer premium cardholders 20% off Hilton Sports Centre membership and a 12-month 0% interest extended settlement plan until 31 Dec 2025. The tie-up also provides dining, spa, laundry discounts and family membership benefits.

Profit-taking dragged the Colombo market down, with ASPI closing 8 points lower (‑0.04%) at 18,877 on turnover of Rs.6.2bn and foreign net selling of Rs.115.2m. COMB, MELS, SAMP and NDB were top negative contributors while JETS, SERV and AEL recorded gains.

Sri Lanka stocks closed marginally down with the ASPI slipping 0.04% to 18,876.85 and the S&P SL20 falling 0.69% to 5,628.93. Turnover dipped to 6.8 billion rupees amid early profit-taking, with Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and NDB weighing on the market and high volumes in Industrial Asphalts, Jetwing Symphony and Beruwala Resorts.

Browns Investments sold 39.3 million Hatton National Bank non-voting (X) shares for Rs.10.78 bn, pushing Colombo Stock Exchange turnover to about Rs.17 bn. Profit-taking left the ASPI down 61 points at 18,885, with the banking sector accounting for 76% of turnover.

ASPI gained about 108 points to 18,946 on Rs. 9.1 billion turnover, led by the Capital Goods sector; John Keells, Commercial Bank, Access Engineering, Hayleys and LOLC were top contributors and banking names including HNB and Sampath also recorded gains.

ASPI hit a record closing of 18,838.39, up 297.13 points (1.60%) on turnover of Rs. 9.49 billion. Banking-led activity (31% of turnover) drove the rise, with Sampath, Seylan (non-voting), Pan Asia, John Keells, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank among the top contributors.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose to 18,838, up 1.60% (297.13 pts), led by gains in John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank despite a US 30% tariff announcement. Turnover rose to 9.49 billion rupees and exporters were mixed, with Teejay down and Haycarb higher.

Sampath Bank's wholly owned subsidiary Siyapatha Finance opened its 54th branch in Kaduwela, expanding the group's islandwide retail network. The branch offers lending, deposits, gold financing and digital payment services; Siyapatha holds a Fitch National Long-Term Rating of 'A(lka)'.

Colombo market hit a record ASPI of 18,541 (up 380 pts, 2.09%) as turnover reached Rs.10.22bn, led by banking stocks and John Keells. Foreign investors were net sellers (net outflow Rs.1.2bn) and the banking sector accounted for 27% of turnover.

Colombo ASPI rose 2.09% to a record 18,541.26 after US tariffs on Sri Lanka were cut to 30% (down 14%), boosting investor confidence and lifting several banks and exporters; Sampath, HNB, John Keells, Commercial Bank, DFCC, Teejay and Hayleys gained while Haycarb fell.

Dhammika Perera acquired a 77% stake in East West Properties for about Rs.3.2bn (off‑board at Rs.30.20), lifting EAST to Rs.31.80 as crossings drove turnover to Rs.8.88bn; ASPI fell 10 points. Banking names (Sampath, Commercial Bank, HNB) and diversified stocks also saw heavy activity while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.561mn.

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.

Colombo market fell as ASPI declined 0.58% (around 106 points) and S&P SL20 down 0.5% on low turnover of Rs.2.4bn; major drags included Melstacorp, Colombo Dockyard, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence and NDB, while turnover was led by Sampath, John Keells and Vallibel Finance.

CSE, SEC, SLID and KPMG hosted a Family Business Forum titled "Building a Lasting Family Legacy," attended by about 150 participants with panelists from Hemas Holdings, Sampath Bank, Janashakthi and NDB. Speakers highlighted succession, governance and promoting listings and capital markets to support SME financing and long-term growth.

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.

Sampath Bank PLC launched Appointment Banking, allowing Priority Reserve and Private Banking clients to book queue-free, private appointments with dedicated relationship officers at 50 selected branches via the Sampath Vishwa app. The service was expanded after pilots at five Super Branches and rolled out to 45 additional locations.

Sampath Bank launched the 'Madu Sampatha' floating market at Madu River to promote eco-friendly products and has created opportunities for over 545 beneficiaries. The initiative, developed with Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka and Neptune Papers Ltd, aims to reduce plastic pollution and boost local eco-tourism.

Sampath Bank launched 'Appointment Banking', enabling Priority Reserve and Private Banking clients to book queue-free, private appointments with a dedicated relationship officer at 50 select branches via Sampath Vishwa; the service has been extended beyond initial Super Branch pilots to 45 additional locations.

ASPI fell 0.23% (41 points) to 18,000 as profit-taking weighed on the Colombo market, led by declines in HAYL, CTHR, DOCK, GRAN and SAMP. Turnover was Rs.5.6bn with capital goods (notably JKH, AEL) and banking among top contributors; foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.48.3m.