News & market updates

Sanasa Development Bank (SDB.N0000) appointed Aruna Jayasekera as Chief Human Resources Officer. He joins from CIC Holdings, where he was Group Head of HR, and will lead the bank’s strategic HR roadmap to strengthen culture, performance and the employee value proposition.

SDB bank appointed Aruna Jayasekera as Chief Human Resources Officer. He brings extensive multi‑sector HR experience, including senior roles at CIC Holdings, Sampath Bank and Sri Lanka Telecom, and will lead SDB's HR strategy to strengthen culture, EVP and its leadership pipeline.

Sanasa Development Bank PLC (SDB.N0000) has appointed Chandana Dissanayake as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Dissanayake has over 40 years' experience in the banking and non-banking financial sector, with past senior roles at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, HSBC, Union Bank of Colombo and Sampath Bank.

APB Sri Lanka held a CPDC program titled 'AI in HR' bringing industry leaders to discuss integrating AI in recruitment, performance management and learning to boost workforce agility across the banking industry.

Sanasa Development Bank (SDB) reported Q3 2025 Profit After Tax of Rs. 254 million, with loans and advances up Rs. 9.7 billion YTD, lower NPLs and Stage 3 coverage improving to 52.28%; Total Capital Ratio 14.90% and LCR 148.65%.

Sanasa Development Bank (SDB.N0000) reported a Q3 2025 Profit After Tax of Rs. 254 million and year-to-date loan growth of Rs. 9.7 billion. Asset quality improved with Stage 3 coverage up to 52.28%, total capital ratio at 14.90% and LCR of 148.65% while digital and ESG investments continued.

GovPay launched traffic fine payments in the Northern Province, enabling on-the-spot payments via bank and fintech apps; since April 2025 it has processed 23,539 spot fines totaling over Rs.31 million.

Finco Holdings bought a near 11% stake in Sanasa Development Bank (SDB) for Rs. 881.48 million, acquiring about 17.98 million shares at Rs. 49 each and becoming SDB's third-largest shareholder.

SDB Bank partnered the People’s Economic Forum 2025 on 26 September at the Hilton Colombo to promote cooperative-led economic democracy, sustainable agriculture and community resilience and to support cooperative partners’ financial and technical literacy.

SDB Bank partnered the People’s Economic Forum 2025 hosted by SANASA International on 26 September at the Hilton Colombo. The bank said it reaffirmed its commitment to the cooperative movement and supports knowledge-sharing to strengthen cooperatives’ financial and technical capacity.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has joined GovPay, enabling tourism operators to pay the Tourism Development Levy and other SLTDA services online via banks' internet/mobile banking and connected FinTech apps. The initial rollout covers TDL payments with phased expansion planned.

SLTDA has joined GovPay, enabling Tourism Development Levy and other SLTDA payments to be made online via 14 banks and six FinTech apps (including major local banks and L B Finance's CIM). GovPay, launched Feb 2025, has processed 1,773 services totalling over Rs.110 Mn and will expand to more SLTDA payments.

Sanasa Development Bank (SDB) marked its 28th anniversary at its Head Office, highlighting its commitment to national development. The celebration included multi-religious observances, recognition of long-serving staff and plans for community initiatives such as a beach clean-up and branch events.

Colombo market fell as the ASPI and S&P SL20 declined 1.25% amid profit-taking led by banks, with ASPI down 257 points — the largest intraday drop since 23 June. Turnover was Rs.4 billion and foreigners recorded a net outflow of Rs.80.5 million; several bank counters led losses.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down, with the ASPI down 0.14% (29.43 pts) at 20,612 as budget concerns created volatility. Market turnover was 5.847 billion rupees; DFCC, Nations Trust and Watawala were among top gainers while Commercial Bank and Sampath weighed on the index.

Sanasa Development Bank (SDB.N0000) partnered with CA Sri Lanka to run a specialised workshop for Cooperative Development Department audit officers, strengthening auditing skills and financial accountability in cooperative societies in Kegalle, Kurunegala and Badulla as part of a wider islandwide initiative.

SDB bank signed an MoU with the Australian Government-funded Market Development Facility (MDF) to strengthen coconut, coffee and mango value chains via co-investment, technical advisory, market access and value-chain financing.

LAUGFS Gas and LAUGFS Power shares surged (LAUGFS Gas voting +65.42% to Rs.66.50; LAUGFS Power non-voting +63% to Rs.14.20) after reports of a 50:50 partnership with Vallibel Three (Dhammika Perera). Meanwhile the ASPI fell 0.4% to 20,906 with declines led by HNB, COMB, DFCC, CINS and JKH; turnover leaders included RIL, CTHR and EBCR.

Sanasa Development Bank (SDB.N0000) reported a Profit After Tax of Rs.156 million for 1H 2025. Net fee income rose 32% YoY, NIM increased to 5.64% in June, Total Capital Ratio was 15.26% and LCR 281.52%; loans grew by Rs.3.9bn while overall assets fell 1% partly due to rupee appreciation.

Sanasa Development Bank (SDB) reported H1 2025 Profit After Tax of Rs. 156 million, with net fee income up 32% y/y and Net Interest Margin at 5.64% in June 2025. Total Capital Ratio was 15.26% and LCR 281.52%; loans rose Rs.3.9bn since Dec 2024 and Stage 3 coverage improved to 49.84%.

Sanasa Development Bank (SDB) received the Banking Sector Merit Award at the National Business Excellence Awards 2025, recognising its governance, sustainability and social-impact efforts.

HDFC Bank PLC appointed Hemal Chaminda Lokugeegana as its new General Manager/CEO. He has over 24 years of banking experience and previously held senior roles at SDB Bank PLC, including Head of Business Banking and founding Chief Risk Officer.

SDB bank (Sanasa Development Bank PLC) won the Banking Sector Merit Award at the National Business Excellence Awards 2025, recognised for its financial performance and sustainability- and community-focused banking.