News & market updates

Colombo market ended a four-day winning streak as the ASPI fell 0.4% (67 points) to 15,800 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.6%. Turnover was Rs.2.37bn; banking, diversified financials and Food & Beverage led declines, and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.90.6m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.31% to 15,818.77 ahead of local elections, led by selling in banking counters such as Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank; export-linked stocks including Hayleys, Teejay Lanka, Haycarb and Dipped Products also slipped.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower: ASPI fell 67.40 points (-0.42%) to 15,799.94. Broad profit-taking hit banks (HNB, SAMP, COMB, CTHR, NDB) while MELS, GLAS, SINS and DIST were among gainers; turnover was Rs.2.37bn with net foreign outflow.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI rose 56 points (0.35%) to 15,867 on turnover of Rs.2 billion with foreign net inflows of Rs.25.5m. Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Materials led turnover and gains while banking showed subdued sentiment.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.44% after a staff-level agreement with the IMF that clears the way for about $344m in financing; the ASPI closed 69.43 points higher at 15,811.47 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.45%. Export-oriented shares led gains while selected banking stocks ended weaker.

Colombo stocks rose 0.81% as exporters rallied on expectations of a US–Sri Lanka trade deal, with the ASPI closing at 15,742.04 (up 126.41 pts). Key contributors included Teejay Lanka, Hayleys Fabric, Haycarb, Dipped Products, LOLC and Royal Ceramics, while selected banks (Sampath, HNB, Amana) fell.

Fitch assigned Siyapatha Finance’s proposed LKR5 billion five-year senior unsecured debentures an expected National Long-Term Rating of 'A(EXP)(lka)'. Siyapatha is a 100% subsidiary of Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) and Fitch said the rating reflects expected extraordinary parental support.

Colombo bourse opened marginally negative as the ASPI fell 17 points (0.11%) to 15,600 on low turnover of Rs.1.16bn. Banking stocks led turnover (24% share) while HAYL, LION, JKH, DIPD and TJL were top negative contributors and Sampath and Lanka IOC drew buying interest.

Thilak Abeysinghe was elected President of the Sampath Bank Retired Executives Association at its AGM and said the group will mark its 20th anniversary in 2025. He outlined plans to boost membership, introduce a social welfare programme and hold fundraising events such as musical evenings and stage plays.

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.

Sampath Bank signed an MoU with the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) to become the official banking partner for the COYLE Awards and Young Lankan Program, aiming to boost SME engagement and provide tailored financial solutions.

Sampath Bank signed an MoU with the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs to become the official banking partner for the COYLE Awards and Young Lankan Program, positioning the bank to support SME engagement and provide tailored financial solutions to emerging entrepreneurs.

Colombo market ended the week with losses as the ASPI fell 0.6% and the S&P SL20 0.44% on low turnover of Rs. 841.2m and foreign net selling of Rs. 2.1m. Sampath, HNB, DFCC and Melstacorp were top negative contributors, while Commercial Credit, Central Finance, Lanka Milk Foods, Ceylon Cold Stores and Alumex drew buying interest.

Colombo stocks fell 0.06% as the ASPI closed down 9.31 pts at 15,616.57 and the S&P SL20 lost 0.44% amid continued US-China trade tensions; turnover was Rs 841 mn. Banking shares led declines: Sampath Bank -1.1% (Rs110.75), Commercial Bank -0.1% (Rs139.00), HNB -0.1% (Rs299.00).

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.28% to 15,538.64 after a 90-day pause on US "Liberation day" tariffs sparked market uncertainty and softer volumes. Banks led losses and top negative contributors included Sampath, NDB and Malwatte (down 11.4%), while CIC and Alumex saw small gains.

Colombo District Judge ordered the Rs.50,000 security deposit forfeited and paid equally to the two defendants, including Sampath Bank, after finding the plaintiffs lacked locus standi.

A 90-day US tariff pause lifted the Colombo market: ASPI +4.74% and S&P SL20 +6.7%, boosting market capitalisation by about Rs.221bn to Rs.5.549tn on Rs.7bn turnover, led by heavy trading in Sampath Bank, John Keells, Commercial Bank and RIL Property.

Sri Lanka's All Share Price Index rose 4.74% to 15,580.83 after the US announced a 90-day pause on a proposed 44% tariff increase on Sri Lankan exports. Top contributors were Commercial Bank (+9.39%), Hatton National Bank (+9.54%), Sampath Bank (+8.41%) and John Keells (+4.69%); turnover LKR 6.98bn.

ASPI fell 1.7% to 14,876 with the S&P SL20 down 2.4%; turnover was Rs.3 billion and there was a Rs.1 billion net foreign inflow led by John Keells (Rs.665m). Banking names (Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hatton) and Hayleys were among the main laggards while capital goods drove turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell after new US tariffs took effect: ASPI dropped 1.66% to 14,875.95 and the S&P SL20 fell 2.37% to 4,352.69. Export-exposed Hayleys slid 5.98% and John Keells plus major listed banks also closed lower.

Colombo bourse rebounded strongly as ASPI rose 3% (surging 467 points) and S&P SL20 gained 4.65%, adding Rs.170bn in market value led by banks (Sampath, Commercial, HNB) and majors including John Keells, Hayleys, Access Engineering and DIMO; turnover was Rs.2.9bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.48.3m).

Sri Lanka's ASPI rebounded 3.19% (467.26 pts) to 15,127.71 and the S&P SL20 rose 4.54% as markets recovered ahead of the US tariff deadline. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB and Hayleys, with banking stocks trading positively.

Sampath Bank’s subsidiary Siyapatha Finance will issue up to 50 million listed debentures to raise LKR 5,000,000,000 (initially 30 million at LKR100 each); the five-year, senior unsecured debentures carry a fixed interest rate in line with central bank guidelines.

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.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 4.64% (712.90 points) to 14,660.45 as investors awaited government action after US tariffs. Banks and capital goods were hardest hit — Commercial Bank -8.6%, Sampath Bank -6.0%, Hayleys -5.5%, Brown & Company -6.9%.

Sri Lanka stocks fell sharply as the ASPI closed down 4.64% (712.90 pts) at 14,660.45 and the S&P SL20 fell 5.92% to 4,264.84. Negative sentiment followed a US "Liberation day" tariff announcement; top losers included Commercial Bank (-8.58% to 122.50), HNB (-7.96% to 269.00), Sampath (-5.9% to 102.75), Melstacorp (-5.7% to 120.25) and John Keells (-4.6% to 18.70).

Sampath Bank's SampathCards Avurudu campaign offers credit and debit cardholders discounts of up to 60% at partner merchants until 30 April 2025. The promotion includes flexible payment and instalment plans across multiple retail categories.

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.

Colombo market fell after announcement of a 44% US reciprocal tariff, with ASPI down 1.8% to 15,373 and S&P SL20 down over 2%; banking sector led losses and SAMP, COMB and HNB were among top decliners. Turnover was Rs. 3.1bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 169.7m.