News & market updates

Colombo stocks closed marginally down, with the ASPI falling 0.23% to 18,100 and the S&P SL20 down 0.22% to 5,347. Seylan Bank received in-principle CSE approval for a Rs15bn Basel III debenture issue, and Tal Lanka Hotels listed 32,228,524 ordinary voting shares after a private placement.

Sampath Bank launched the 'Madu Sampatha' floating market at Madu River to reduce plastic waste and create sustainable livelihoods for over 545 beneficiaries. The community-led market, run with partners including Coca‑Cola Beverages Sri Lanka and Neptune Papers, promotes biodegradable products and attracts hundreds of daily visitors.

ASPI fell 30 points to 17,997 as turnover hit Rs.7.63 billion, led by large crossings in LOLC Finance, L B Finance and Sampath Bank. Top turnover contributors included LOFC, JKH, Central Finance, Panasian Power and Sampath Bank, while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.3.4bn.

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.

ASPI crossed 18,000 to close at 18,026 as both indices rose about 7% for June, with turnover of Rs. 6.38bn led by LFIN, AEL, JKH, CFIN and SAMP.

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.

Colombo market closed the week with the ASPI up 4.6% (closed 17,873, +132pts) and daily turnover Rs.5.12bn; CTHR, JKH, SAMP, HNB and CDB were among top contributors, capital goods and diversified financials led turnover while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.441.5m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI hit a fresh record high, closing at 17,800 (up 0.75% / 132.28 points) on Friday, driven by gains in capital goods and banking stocks. Notable risers included C T Holdings, John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, CDB and Colombo Dockyard.

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.

Colombo market lost Rs. 117 billion as the ASPI fell 1.9% (S&P SL20 -2.1%) amid Middle East tensions, with turnover Rs. 2.5 billion led by HNB, SAMP and EAST. Broad-based declines hit banking and capital goods counters, while foreign net inflows were small.

Sri Lanka stocks fell 1.89% as Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, with the ASPI down 322.55 points to 16,765 and the S&P SL20 down 2.02% to 4,991. Banks and major conglomerates — Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, Melstacorp and Hayleys — weighed on the index amid fears of higher crude prices.

Siyapatha Finance PLC's debenture issue was oversubscribed with applications exceeding Rs.5 billion against offered tranches (initial Rs.3bn, subsequent Rs.1bn tranches). The five-year listed debentures carry 11.40% p.a.; proceeds will fund Siyapatha's lending; Siyapatha is a subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC and Commercial Bank of Ceylon managed the issue.

The Colombo Bourse rebounded on Friday with the ASPI and S&P SL20 up 1.6% (ASPI closed at 17,088) though the ASPI fell 1.8% for the week. Banking led turnover (28%) and sector gains, with Ceylinco, Sampath, Hayleys, Commercial Bank, Panasian Power and East West among top contributors; foreigners were net sellers (Rs.42.3m).

Siyapatha Finance PLC, a Sampath Bank PLC subsidiary, had its debenture issue oversubscribed, receiving over Rs.5 billion against the offered tranches (Rs.3bn initial and Rs.1bn subsequent). The listed, rated, senior unsecured five-year debentures carry a fixed 11.40% p.a. interest rate and will be listed on the CSE after allotment.

The ASPI fell 1.5% (253 pts) to 16,818 as the bear run continued, with turnover of Rs. 3.3 billion and foreign net inflows of Rs. 77.7m. Key negative contributors included Commercial Bank, John Keells, Ceylon Tobacco and NDB, while the banking sector led turnover and lost 1.43%.

Sri Lanka stocks recovered, ASPI rose 1.60% (269.74 pts) to 17,087.95, led by gains in Ceylinco Holdings, Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Hatton National Bank and Commercial Bank. Turnover was 2.5 billion rupees with 98,864,903 shares traded as regional volatility, gold moves and US rate outlook influenced markets.

Sampath Bank’s subsidiary Siyapatha Finance PLC will raise up to Rs.5 billion via listed, rated, senior unsecured five-year debentures (initial Rs.3bn, option to extend by Rs.2bn) at a fixed 11.40% p.a. to expand its lending portfolio; Fitch affirmed the company’s A(lka) rating with a Stable outlook.

Colombo market turned more bearish as the ASPI fell 1.22% (S&P SL20 down 1.11%) on turnover of Rs. 3.9bn, with HAYL, CTHR, SAMP, DFCC and HNB exerting selling pressure; JKH, L B Finance and CTC also recorded price declines.

Colombo Stock Exchange slid 1.22% as Israel‑Iran tensions intensified, with the ASPI down 210.51 pts to 17,071.44; Hayleys, C T Holdings, Sampath Bank, DFCC Bank and HNB posted notable declines. Turnover fell to 3.8 billion rupees from 6.8 billion rupees.

Siyapatha Finance, a subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC, will raise up to Rs.5.0 billion via a five-year listed debenture issue (initial Rs.3.0bn, option to extend Rs.2.0bn) at a fixed 11.40% p.a.; proceeds will fund expansion of its lending portfolio.

Sampath Bank launched Sri Lanka’s first standardised API banking platform, allowing businesses to integrate core banking into ERPs for faster supplier payments, real-time balances, streamlined collections and automated transactions with existing approval controls.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) has partnered with David Pieris Renewable Energy to offer green loans for solar installations—personal loans up to Rs.5m at 10.5% p.a., larger loans at 11%, and concessionary SME refinance rates from 6.5%. DPRE will supply systems with warranties plus free CEB clearance, grid connection, first-year insurance and initial maintenance.

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.

Sampath Bank launched Sri Lanka's first standardised API banking platform, enabling corporate and SME clients to integrate core banking functions (payments, collections, real-time balances) into ERPs for faster, automated transaction processing.

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors will hold a Family Business Forum on 17 June 2025 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, partnered by the SEC, CSE and KPMG to discuss succession planning, governance and pathways to public listing. Speakers include executives from Hemas, Janashakthi, NDB Capital and Sampath Bank, with a keynote by KPMG's Daniel Trimarchi.

Executives of Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank said Sri Lanka’s recovery is underway but remains fragile despite stable inflation, reserves and GDP growth above IMF forecasts. They warned policy inconsistency, informality and export concentration risk undermining momentum, while banks see rising credit demand in SMEs, housing, tourism and renewables.

Colombo market slipped as the ASPI fell 1.3% (234 pts) to 17,427 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.6%, with turnover around Rs.4 billion. Diversified financials led turnover while HNB, MELS, DFCC, SAMP and JKH pressured the index; Capital Alliance and Central Finance saw notable moves.

Colombo Stock Exchange tumbled as the ASPI fell 234.37 points (1.33%) to 17,427.08 following Israel's strike on Iran and resulting geopolitical tensions. Losses were led by heavyweight banks HNB, DFCC and Sampath, with John Keells and Melstacorp also down; turnover was Rs. 3.98bn.

Sri Lanka's stock market fell after Israel bombed Iran, with the ASPI down 1.33% to 17,427.08 and the S&P SL20 down 1.58% to 5,191.86. Heavyweights HNB, DFCC, Sampath, John Keells and Melstacorp declined and helped drive the sell-off as oil prices rose on geopolitical tensions.