News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange slid midday as the ASPI fell 1.53% to 20,323.75 amid US-Iran tensions; top negative contributors were John Keells (-1.64% to Rs.18.00), Sampath Bank (-1.49% to Rs.149.25), Hayleys (-1.20% to Rs.205.00) and Central Finance (-1.84% to Rs.213.00).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up Friday with the ASPI +1.85% at 20,639.73, though the market is down 4.85% from last Friday. Turnover was Rs.4.39bn led by capital goods; top contributors included Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp and John Keells, and Lanka Realty Investments said it will sell 57,204,262 shares to subsidiary Lee Hedges.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as Brent crude fell below $110, with the ASPI up 0.85% to 20,436.53. Turnover was 682 million rupees, led by gains in Sampath Bank, Melstacorp and Dialog Axiata.

Sampath Bank PLC was named Runner Up in the Banking Category at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards 2025 for its Integrated Annual Report 2024. The award recognises the bank’s integrated reporting linking financial performance with environmental and social impacts and alignment with GRI, the Integrated Reporting Framework and TCFD.

Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank joined UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka as Patrons, supporting Water & Ocean Stewardship and Diversity & Inclusion working groups respectively to advance corporate sustainability and climate/SDG-related initiatives.

Sampath Bank PLC was named Runner Up in the Banking Category at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards 2025 for its Integrated Annual Report 2024. The report, aligned with GRI, the Integrated Reporting Framework and TCFD, highlights sustainable financing, governance and measurable disclosures.

Sri Lanka's banks will operate shorter hours on Wednesdays to conserve fuel, with most branches open 9:00–13:00; Commercial Bank and Nations Trust Bank have issued islandwide notices (Commercial Bank: mini/supermarket branches 9:30–15:00, others 9:00–13:00; NTB also suspends Saturday services).

Colombo Stock Exchange opened higher on Tuesday with the ASPI up 0.50% (105.68 pts) at 21,044.94 fifteen minutes after the open and turnover of Rs 421 million. Top positive contributors were Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and Colombo Dockyard.

Siyapatha Finance PLC, Sampath Bank’s largest subsidiary, will raise up to LKR 3.75 billion via five-year subordinated debentures (initial LKR 2.0bn, option to extend by LKR 1.75bn) at 11.50% p.a.; Fitch rated the issue BBB+(lka).

Sampath Bank’s subsidiary Siyapatha Finance received CSE approval in principle to list Rs3.75bn of 11.50% five-year debentures (20m at Rs100; additional tranches if oversubscribed). The issue was rated 'BBB+(lka)' by Fitch and the subscription opens March 20, managed by People's Bank IB.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell sharply as the ASPI dropped 3.47% (753.29 pts) to 20,939.26 and the S&P SL20 fell 3.17% to 5,891.67, with major decliners including John Keells, Dialog Axiata, Commercial Bank, HNB and DFCC. Siyapatha Finance, a Sampath Bank subsidiary, received CSE approval in principle to list Rs.3.75bn of 11.50% debentures.

ASPI fell 1.63% to 21,998.12 as Middle East tensions and higher oil prices weighed on the Colombo market. S&P SL20 dropped 1.71% to 6,172.28 with broad declines led by JKH, HNB, MELS, HAYL and SAMP; turnover topped Rs.4.1bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.32.2m.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) has partnered with Apartner to digitise condominium payments, integrating Visa’s Cybersource with Sampath’s API Manager to enable real-time payments, instant settlements and automated reconciliations for apartment communities.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 2.17% (474.38 pts) to 22,378.52 after global oil prices fell below $95/bbl, with gains led by banks and blue-chips including HNB, SAMP, COMB and DIAL and turnover of about Rs.4.48bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI rose 2.17% to 22,378.52 on Tuesday as global oil fell below $100/bbl. Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and Dialog Axiata were top positive contributors; Softlogic Holdings (up 47.22% after six crossings) and Renuka Hotels saw notable turnover.

The ASPI plunged 3.51% to 21,904.14 as panic selling and a >25% surge in crude to about $115/bbl on Middle East conflict hit the CSE; banking and blue-chip stocks (Commercial Bank, HNB, JKH, Sampath, C T Holdings) led declines while Lanka IOC rose.

COYLE partnered with Sampath Bank and Mastercard to introduce the COYLE World Mastercard for members. The card is intended to support members' business activities and international engagement, complementing COYLE's wider learning and global partnership initiatives.

Mercedes‑Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka unveiled a three‑year roadmap through 2028 and confirmed strategic partners, naming DIMO as a powering partner, Sampath Bank Private Banking as Official Banking Partner, and Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams as Official Host Venue.

COYLE launched the COYLE World Mastercard in partnership with Sampath Bank and Mastercard. The chamber also ran a year of learning programs (AI, cybersecurity), signed MoUs with JETRO, AHK Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka–New Zealand Business Chamber, and stepped up diplomatic and international business engagements.

Colombo's ASPI plunged 797.77 points (3.51%) to 21,904.14 as global oil prices surged over 20% after West Asia supply shocks. Major negative contributors were Commercial Bank, John Keells, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank and National Development Bank, with heavy selling in banks (Rs.1.86bn).

New private sector borrowing from Sri Lanka’s banking sector fell to Rs. 82.6 billion in January 2026, an 11-month low, while domestic commercial bank lending dropped to Rs. 108 billion (nine-month low); total outstanding private sector debt rose 26.3% YoY to Rs. 10.3 trillion.

The CSE fell, with the ASPI down 4.34% (1,032.15 points) for the week as index-heavy banking and diversified holdings stocks dragged the market. Foreign investors were net sellers (week net outflow Rs.791.2m); large declines came from JKH, HNB and SAMP while ACL, CINS and RAL saw heavy off‑board turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.58% to 22,701.91 and the S&P SL20 fell 1.01% to 6,360.75 on Friday amid profit-taking. Ceylinco Holdings was the top positive contributor (up 3.12%), while John Keells, Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank were among the top negatives.

Fitch rated Siyapatha Finance’s proposed LKR3.75 billion five-year subordinated debentures 'BBB+(lka)'; proceeds will strengthen Tier 2 capital to support loan-book expansion. Fitch applied bank rating criteria and noted Siyapatha benefits from extraordinary support expectations from parent Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000).

Daraz Sri Lanka’s 3.3 sale runs 2–7 March with up to 85% off, free delivery and Rs. 20 million in vouchers. Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, LOLC Finance and Sampath Bank are listed as partner banks offering sitewide card offers and installment plans up to 36 months.

The ASPI rose 0.60% (134.03 pts) to 22,577.41 on bargain hunting after a prior session plunge, with turnover ~Rs.4.7bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.95.1m. Capital goods led turnover (Rs.1.5bn) while banking and diversified financials also drove gains.

Senior bankers at the Association of Professional Bankers convention urged caution, prioritising balance-sheet discipline—liquidity, capital buffers, and managing interest-rate and FX exposure—over rapid expansion. Speakers also highlighted selective growth, risk-adjusted returns, and greater use of digital capability and sustainable debt instruments.

ASPI plunged 1,290.68 points (-5.4%) to 22,443.38 on Feb 3 after Middle East tensions triggered panic selling and a 30-minute circuit breaker; the S&P SL20 fell 322.32 pts (-4.9%). Turnover was Rs.9.6bn (up 62.9%); foreign investors net sold Rs.59.6m; decliners included COMB, SAMP, HNB, JKH and HAYL, while LIOC, CFLB, BOPL, MRH and MADU were among gainers.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.60% to 22,577.41 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.70% to 6,357.66; Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and C T Holdings were top positive contributors while Senkadagala Finance fell 24.98% after listing 4,313,992 ordinary voting shares.

Colombo Stock Exchange midday: ASPI rose 1.41% (317.14 pts) to 22,760.52 and S&P SL20 gained 1.29% to 6,394.97. Top contributors were Commercial Bank (+2.74% at Rs215.75), Sampath Bank (+2.60% at Rs158.00) and Hayleys (+2.82% at Rs236.75); Colombo Dockyard reported a Rs1.93bn loss for the Dec-2025 quarter (stock at Rs142.00).