News & market updates

Colombo stocks fell after the US 'Liberation day' tariff announcement, with the ASPI down 1.82% (284.25 pts) to 15,373.35 and the S&P SL20 down 2.19% to 4,541.71. Banks and export-linked stocks led losses, with top negative contributors including Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, HNB and LOLC and turnover sliding to 3.17 billion rupees.

Sri Lanka stocks plunged for a second day as the ASPI fell 362.66 pts (2.32%) to 15,294.94 and the S&P SL20 fell 125.95 pts (2.71%) to 4,517.37 after a US executive order imposing a 44% tax on Sri Lanka. Major banks and exporters including Commercial Bank, Sampath, HNB, LOLC, John Keells, Teejay Lanka, Hela Apparel, Haycarb and Dipped Products dropped roughly 0.2–5.6%.

Colombo stock market plunged over 2% as the ASPI fell 350 points after the US imposed reciprocal tariffs on Sri Lanka, hitting export-oriented counters. Turnover rose to Rs.3.8bn with heavy selling in Commercial Bank, Hayleys, Melstacorp, HNB and Sampath, while a 38% TSML stake sale by JKH drove turnover.

Sampath Bank's SampathCards is offering Avurudu season discounts of up to 60% across multiple categories, plus 0% instalments, waived fuel surcharge and a 1:1 loyalty redemption ratio. The bank also noted Visa recognition as Best Commercial Card Issuer and highlighted expansion of digital payments (WEPAY, Vishwa).

A US 44% reciprocal tariff on Sri Lanka exports triggered a market sell-off, sending the ASPI down 2.19% (349.84 pts) and hitting exporters and other stocks (e.g., Hela Apparel -8.11%, Teejay Lanka -8.66%).

Colombo market reverted to YTD positive as the ASPI rose 73 points (0.46%) to 16,007, leaving YTD up 0.39%, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs. 282m. Top movers included HAYL and CTC; turnover was Rs. 2.3bn led by Capital Goods and Food, Beverage & Tobacco sectors.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) was named Best Commercial Card Issuer in Sri Lanka by Visa for the second consecutive year at the Visa Leadership Conclave 2025, based on commercial card issuance volumes and performance.

The Colombo market opened April higher, with the ASPI up 119 points (0.76%) on turnover of Rs. 1.9 billion. Banking stocks saw early selling around XD dates while blue-chips and capital goods (e.g. Hayleys, John Keells, Melstacorp) were key contributors.

Sampath Bank was adjudged Best Commercial Card Issuer in Sri Lanka by Visa for the second consecutive year. The award, presented at the Visa Leadership Conclave 2025, was based on commercial card issuance volumes and performance, underscoring the bank's leadership in commercial payments.

Sampath Bank returns as title sponsor of the Royal Colombo Golf Club Monthly Medal for a second year, backing the two-day tournament on 4–5 April 2025 and introducing new categories and exclusive prizes aimed at its HNI clientele.

ASPI fell 67 points (0.4%) on low turnover of Rs.1.65bn; HNB was the largest negative contributor after its ex-dividend date, while SAMP, RICH, HAYL, HHL and SUN were top positive contributors and banks led turnover.

The Colombo market closed marginally up with the ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.4% as turnover rose to Rs.2.14bn, led by Lankem Ceylon (LCEY) which accounted for about Rs.1.1bn. Capital goods and banking drove activity, with notable movers including HNB, SAMP, COMB, JKH and LIOC.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +0.22% at 15,882.06 and S&P SL20 +0.38% at 4,759.86. Capital goods led turnover with LKR 1.2bn, banks LKR 446mn, and top contributors were HNB, SAMP, COMB, JKH and BUKI.

Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 60 points to 15,848 despite net foreign inflows of Rs.133.8m and turnover of Rs.1.6bn (down 23.4% vs monthly average). Banking-led turnover (HNBN top at Rs.297m) saw HNB, CINS, JKH, DFCC and CFIN drag the market while CCS and Richard Pieris attracted buying.

Colombo market closed flat (ASPI -4) despite higher turnover of Rs.2.9bn led by Sampath Bank (Rs.1.2bn); banking drove 52% of turnover while capital goods and food/beverage/tobacco made up 26%. Foreign investors were net sellers (Rs.122m) and several large crossings dominated activity.

Sampath Bank's debenture offer (up to Rs.10 billion) was oversubscribed, drawing about Rs.13.87 billion in applications. The five-year, Basel II-compliant Tier-2 issue initially targeted Rs.5 billion (50m debentures of Rs.100) with options to raise to Rs.10 billion; proceeds will bolster Tier-2 capital.

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat as the ASPI fell 0.03% to 15,908.23 with turnover of Rs2.89bn driven by crossings and heavy bank trades, including a Rs1.1bn off-board Sampath Bank transaction. Notable movers included Ceylinco Insurance (-5.7%), Dipped Products (-3.0%), HNB and DFCC.

ASPI rose 33 points (0.2%) as turnover hit Rs.1.9 billion, led by crossings in Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank and CIC Holdings; banking stocks were the main drivers while materials also saw heavy trading.

ASPI rose 0.1% for the week and jumped 1.4% (216 points) on Friday as banking and capital goods stocks led gains. Turnover averaged Rs.1.9 billion for the week and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.140.2 million.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.38% to 15,879.33 as buying interest returned, led by gains in Commercial Bank, HNB, NDB, DFCC and Carson Cumberbatch; turnover fell to 1.66 billion rupees and there was a net foreign outflow of 140 million rupees.

ASPI rose 1.67% (256 pts) as turnover reached Rs.3.67bn, led by heavy Sierra Cables volume and buying in banking and diversified-financial stocks. Banking stocks and capital-goods names (notably Sierra Cables, John Keells, CDB, HNB) were key contributors.

Sampath Bank launched an airfare reimbursement program for Personal Foreign Currency Account holders, reimbursing eligible customers up to Rs. 100,000 if they increased their annual average PFCA balance by US$15,000 between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.67% to 15,662.85, led by a banking-sector bounce that also lifted the S&P SL20 up 2.14% to 4,703.54. Turnover jumped to 3.67 billion rupees; top contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, John Keells, Sampath Bank and DFCC, while Sierra Cables had the largest turnover.

Sampath Bank launched Sri Lanka’s first airfare reimbursement programme for PFCA holders, reimbursing eligible customers up to Rs.100,000 if their annual average PFCA balance rose by USD 15,000 between 1 Jul 2023 and 30 Jun 2024. The move aims to incentivise higher foreign-currency deposits and strengthen the bank's FCY portfolios.

Colombo market closed higher — ASPI +12 points, S&P SL20 +19 with turnover of Rs.1.25bn. Major contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath while John Keells, Hemas, Browns, LOLC and Ceylon Cold Stores were among laggards; foreigners were net buyers of Rs.14.2m.

The ASPI fell 1.6% (255 points) as selling continued with banking and blue-chip stocks leading declines; turnover was Rs. 1.7bn (below the monthly average) and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 50.5m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed marginally up 0.18% at 15,421.54 as buying returned after a three-day slide, led by gains in Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath; turnover fell to 1.25 billion rupees and net foreign inflow was 14 million rupees.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.63% to 15,394.23 and the S&P SL20 fell 1.60% to 4,588.03. Top decliners included Ceylinco Insurance, HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC and John Keells; turnover rose to 1.77bn rupees and Hayleys plans to raise up to 7bn via a debenture issue.

The ASPI fell about 211 points (1.35%) as the CSE opened lower on a selling spree with turnover of Rs.1.27 billion. Banking counters led the decline while capital goods and food & beverage drove turnover; major laggards included MELS, NDB and SAMP.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 15,645.30 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.52% to 4,662.66 as turnover fell to 1.27 billion rupees and volumes declined; top decliners included Melstacorp, NDB, Sampath Bank, DFCC and Aitken Spence.