News & market updates

PAYable processed over Rs. 100 billion in transactions and serves about 40,000 merchants; the payments platform says strategic partnerships with Sri Lanka’s leading banks, including Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Seylan Bank, Sampath Bank and Nations Trust Bank, support its growth.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.96% to 16,345.01 as stocks pulled back, dragged by financials amid thin turnover of LKR 2.3bn and a net foreign outflow of LKR 64m. Top decliners included Ceylinco, Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and LOLC while banking stocks saw the highest turnover.

ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards 2024 named Hayleys PLC overall winner and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC overall runner-up. Listed firms recognised in sector categories included Talawakelle Tea Estates, Horana Plantations, Ceylon Cold Stores, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, Citizens Development Business Finance, Resus Energy, Hayleys Fabric, Haycarb, Diesel & Motor Engineering, JAT Holdings and Aitken Spence Hotels.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 1.20% (ASPI down 202.38 pts to 16,686.93) as banking-sector selling weighed on the market and turnover slid to 2.1 billion rupees with share volume down 45%. Top negatives included HNB, NDB, Commercial Bank, Central Finance and DFCC; Access Engineering’s subsidiary signed a PPA with the CEB.

Sampath Bank showcased its WePay QR payment solution at the Central Bank's Digital Payments Promotion Campaign 2025 in Hambantota, with CBSL officials using WePay for on-site purchases. The bank said WePay supports its strategy to expand digital financial inclusion and cashless transactions.

Colombo bourse rebounded on Friday—ASPI +0.18%, S&P SL20 +0.6%—but ended the week down 0.3% and 0.6%; Friday turnover was Rs.3.5bn (weekly avg Rs.4.2bn). The banking sector led turnover (57%) and gained 0.89%, with COMB, MELS, JKH, NDB and SAMP among top contributors; net foreign outflow Rs.749.8m.

Colombo market fell for a second day as the ASPI dropped 1.2% to 16,859 (≈215 pts) with turnover of Rs.2.9bn and a Rs.381mn foreign outflow; the Banking sector led the decline with HNB, Sampath Bank and NDB among the top negative contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 0.3% as the ASPI rose 0.18% (30.34 pts) to 16,889.31, with turnover slowing to 3.5 million rupees and a net foreign outflow of 749 million rupees. Bank stocks led activity—Commercial Bank, NDB, Sampath and HNB were top contributors, while John Keells and CIC saw high turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 0.9% as the ASPI dropped 0.86% to 16,927.13 amid profit-taking—especially in banks—and a net foreign outflow of Rs 380mn. DFCC reported an 80% rise in December-quarter profits and Sampath an 85% increase.

Sampath Bank reported profit before tax up 57% to Rs. 46.7 billion and profit after tax up 59.4% to Rs. 27.3 billion for 2024, and declared a first and final cash dividend of Rs. 9.35 per share. Net interest income rose 10.7%, loans and deposits expanded, capital ratios remained strong, and the SLISB restructuring caused a net after-tax hit of Rs. 2.6 billion.

Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.7% to 17,074 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.8% on low turnover of Rs.3.7 billion (35.8% below the monthly average). Banks dominated turnover (30%); BUKI and SEMB were top positive contributors while COMB, HNB, HHL, JKH, CTC, SAMP and NDB were among the top decliners.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) reported Q4 (Dec 2025) profit of Rs 9.6bn, up 85% YoY, with EPS of Rs 8.20, driven by a Rs 16.9bn net reversal of impairment provisions on restructured international sovereign bonds. Net interest income was flat while wage costs rose sharply.

Sampath Bank announced a final dividend of Rs.9.35 per voting share, a 60% increase from Rs.5.85 in 2023. The dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the AGM on 28 March and is payable on 23 April.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down 0.70% to ASPI 17,074.02 on turnover Rs3.6bn, with a net foreign inflow of Rs307mn. Top turnover and movers included Dialog, Commercial Bank, Hemas, HNB and John Keells; LB Finance announced a Rs2.25 interim dividend.

Colombo market closed marginally higher with ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.6% on turnover of Rs.5.5bn. Banking led turnover (30%) and gained 1.25%; notable moves included Sampath +Rs1, Commercial Bank +Rs2, Sierra Cables +Rs0.40, Lanka IOC +Rs0.50 and LOLC -Rs4, with net foreign outflow of Rs.93m.

EDB held an awareness seminar in Batticaloa on 18 February to promote its New Exporter Development Programme, attracting about 250 entrepreneurs from the Eastern Province. Stakeholders including Sampath Bank, Sri Lanka Telecom and Printcare offered support services and consultations at the event.

Sampath Bank reported PBT of Rs 46.7 Bn and PAT of Rs 27.3 Bn for the year ended 31 Dec 2024, up 57.0% and 59.4% year-on-year. It declared a Rs 35 per share final dividend, improved ROE to 74%, and recorded a net after-tax Rs 6 Bn impact from SLISB restructuring while capital ratios stayed strong (Tier-1 16.75%, total 19.38%).

Dividend · Rs 9.35 · XD Apr 1, 2025

Final dividend of LKR 9.35/share; XD 2025-04-01; record 2025-04-01; payable 2025-04-23; FY ended 31st December 2024

Colombo Stock Exchange rose after the Budget, with the ASPI up 1.3% and net foreign inflows of Rs. 777.4 million. Banking, insurance and diversified financials led the session, with Ceylinco, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath among the top contributors.

Budget 2025 raises Capital Gains Tax to 15% for individuals/partnerships and to 30% for other entities. HNB Stockbrokers noted the current CGT definition does not include gains from trading listed equities.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, with the ASPI up 0.22% at 17,193.79 and the S&P SL20 up 0.63% at 5,139.63. Investor interest centred on banks and capital goods (notably Sampath, Commercial Bank and Hemas); Melstacorp, Distilleries, Sampath and Teejay Lanka declared cash dividends and Hemas plans a share sub-division.

EDB held an awareness seminar on the New Exporter Development Programme on 18 Feb 2025 in Batticaloa to support about 250 Eastern Province entrepreneurs to enter export markets. Participating stakeholders included Sampath Bank, Sri Lanka Telecom and Printcare, with focus on fisheries, processed foods, export services and handlooms.

ASPI closed up 1.30% (219.36 pts) at 17,156.05, nearing its all-time high amid the 2025 budget presentation. Net foreign inflow of LKR 777m (highest in 2025) drove buying in Ceylinco Holdings, Browns Investments and activity in NDB, Sampath, Hayleys, Sierra Cables and Jetwing Symphony.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 2.18% (362.03 pts) at 16,940.25, led by gains in diversified counters and bank stocks; the S&P SL20 rose 1.88% to 5,037.52, turnover was 4.8 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 513 million rupees.

ASPI rose ~232 points (1.41%) to 16,578 as the Colombo market returned to positive territory with turnover of Rs.3.58bn. Ceylinco, Central Finance, Sampath, LOLC and NDB were top positive contributors while CTC, HNB and SPEN weighed on the index; Ambeon, JKH and Printcare also gained.

Sampath Bank renewed its Annual Platinum Corporate Partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) for 2024–2025. The collaboration aims to promote corporate governance and board-focused training initiatives across Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 1.42% at 16,578.22, led by banks and finance stocks, with a net foreign outflow of 892 million rupees. Top contributors included Ceylinco (+9.3%), Central Finance (+6.0%), Sampath (+2.1%) and NDB (+2.4%), while Ambeon saw heavy foreign selling.

Sampath Bank renewed its Annual Platinum Corporate Partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors for 2024–2025. The partnership will support board-focused training and governance initiatives to promote ethical and transparent corporate practices.

ASPI fell 1.3% (221 pts) to 16,345 as the Colombo market stayed bearish for a second day with Rs.2.4bn turnover; the Banking sector led losses and turnover, with HNB, SAMP, DFCC, MELS and COMB the main negatives and CTC, RICH and COOP top positives.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 16,345.30 as turnover was Rs2.3bn, with banks weighing on the market. Major decliners included NDB, Seylan, HNB, Sampath and DFCC while Nations Trust, Colombo Dockyard and Ceylon Tobacco gained; net foreign outflow was Rs64m.