News & market updates

InsureMe received a Reinsurance Broking Licence from the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, enabling it to directly structure and place reinsurance programs for Sri Lankan insurers and large corporates and access global (including Lloyd’s) reinsurance markets.

Sri Lanka sold Rs184.79bn of 2030, 2033, 2035 and 2039 government bonds from a Rs205bn offer, at average yields of 9.74% (2030), 10.65% (2033), 11.08% (2035) and 11.09% (2039).

The inaugural Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025 set industry priorities and KPIs, recommending bank–fintech partnership frameworks, a national cloud policy, digital ID expansion, CBDC research and a target to reduce cash-in-circulation from 4.5% to 3.5% of GDP in three years. Sessions included CBSL, the Ministry of Digital Economy, BOI and banking leaders.

InsureMe received a Reinsurance Broking Licence from the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, enabling it to directly structure and place reinsurance programmes and access global markets including Lloyd’s for Sri Lankan insurers and large corporates. The capability complements its recent Colombo Stock Exchange listing and expands its integrated insurance, reinsurance and advisory offering.

Seminar on safeguards under the amended Companies Act No. 12 of 2025 will be held on 27 Jan (2–5pm) at NH Collection, Colombo 3. Organisers say the amendments place new responsibilities and stricter penal sanctions on company secretaries and directors; speakers include HNB and LOLC Insurance chairs.

Sri Lanka's rupee closed stronger at 309.00/10 vs 309.00/30 the previous day, while government bond yields rose—e.g. the 15-Dec-2026 bond at 8.45-8.55% and the 15-Sep-2029 bond at 9.60-9.65%.

Secondary bond yields closed lower week-on-week, led by sustained buying in the 2029–2030 maturities; a Rs.205 billion Treasury bond auction is scheduled for 12 January (settlement 16 Jan). Money-market liquidity rose to Rs.171.03 billion and USD/LKR closed around 309.00/309.30; weekly T-bill yields increased (91-day 7.88%, 364-day 8.47%).

HNB Group's HNB General Insurance and HNB Stockbrokers signed a strategic partnership to offer general insurance products to the stockbrokers' clients, creating a one-stop financial ecosystem. The move aims to strengthen group cross-selling and integrated financial services for investors.

IASL launched the E-Motor Insurance digital card and handed over 500 tablets to the Sri Lanka Police to support the rollout of the Accident Management System. It also announced a National Insurance Verification System (code 2252) due March 2026 and highlighted an Optional Compensation Scheme with payouts up to Rs.1,000,000.

HNB Assurance PLC is offering a free Rs. 1 million life cover to policyholders affected by Cyclone Ditwah under its 'HNB Assurance Gift of Protection' relief initiative. Eligible endowment policyholders who held an active policy as at 30 November 2025 can enroll between 1 January and 31 March by submitting a form to an HNBA branch or bancassurance officer; single premium and group life policies are excluded.

Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) said HNB General Insurance and HNB Stockbrokers have formed a strategic partnership to offer insurance products directly to stockbrokers' clients, creating a one-stop financial ecosystem for investors.

Colombo bourse closed the week up 3.45% as the ASPI rose 0.54% yesterday to 23,654.30, with the market gaining about Rs. 264.8 billion in value for the week and daily turnover over Rs. 8.5 billion; top contributors included JKH, COMB, VONE, CARS and NTB.

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd (SLICGL) was the Official Insurance Partner of the Kedella Art of Living 2025 exhibition (14–16 Nov 2025, BMICH, Colombo), promoting its Home Protect Insurance and the Home Protect Lite five-plan offering and engaging hundreds of visitors.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka launched a national permanent digital motor insurance e-card to replace annual plastic cards; 500 tablets were distributed to Western Province traffic police and 150 handed over symbolically to enable roadside verification.

Secondary Treasury bond yields fell amid strong buying and higher volumes; the Treasury announced a Rs.205 billion bond auction for 12 January. The rupee strengthened to Rs.309.10/309.50, net liquidity surplus was Rs.168.45 billion and secondary bond turnover was Rs.76.86 billion on 7 Jan.

Parenthood Global hosted the Parent-Inclusive Workplaces Summit 2025 and named Janashakthi Group (JXG) Parent-Inclusive Workplace of the Year, while Dialog Business Services and HNB group units won awards for leadership, HR policies and wellbeing. The event also launched the Corporate Circle Lifestyle Portal to support working parents.

AIA Insurance Lanka signed a strategic bancassurance partnership with CBC Finance to offer integrated financial and insurance solutions to CBC Finance’s customers, including retail clients and SMEs.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka hosted an AML/CFT/PWMD awareness session for life and general insurers and brokers on 17 November 2025, attended by 589 participants; the FIU director briefed on legal framework, mutual evaluation, national risk assessment and compliance implications.

AIA Insurance Lanka has signed a strategic bancassurance partnership with CBC Finance to offer integrated insurance and financial solutions to CBC's retail and SME customers, aiming to expand reach and provide one-stop financial and insurance services.

Sri Lanka's rupee closed stronger at 309.10/50 to the US dollar (from 310.05/15) on Thursday, while government bond yields fell across maturities (e.g. 15.12.2026 at 8.45-55%, 15.03.2031 at 9.85-93%).

Ainsley Alles was elected President of the Sri Lanka Insurance Brokers Association (SLIBA) for 2025/26, setting “Sustainable Growth and Professionalism” as his guiding theme and targeting higher insurance penetration (around 1% of GDP). SLIBA also announced advisory sub‑committees, a permanent secretariat, formal registration and compliance and public‑awareness initiatives.

Ceylinco Life rewarded top sales performers with overseas tours — 27 staff to Thailand and 14 to Malaysia — as part of its employee recognition program.

John Keells Holdings PLC led a consortium donating Rs. 400 million to the government's 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' Fund for Cyclone Ditwah relief; contributors included Nations Trust Bank (Rs.100m), SAGT (Rs.100m), Union Assurance (Rs.50m) and Elephant House (Rs.50m).

Government is considering allowing EPF members the option of a regular pension/annuity instead of a lump-sum withdrawal at retirement, Labour Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe told Parliament. The National Labour Advisory Council is reviewing Act amendments while the EPF's net worth rose to Rs.4,375.7bn at end-2024 and the member interest rate was 11% for 2024.

HNB Assurance (HNB Life PLC) enters 2026 with renewed focus on its goal to reach a 10% life insurance market share, citing strong 2025 results, multiple industry awards and plans for transformation and growth.

John Keells Holdings PLC-led consortium contributed Rs. 400 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund for Cyclone Ditwah relief; contributions included Nations Trust Bank Rs.100m, SAGT Rs.100m and Rs.50m each from Lanka Marine, Jaykay Marketing, Union Assurance and Elephant House.

Sri Lanka is considering providing a regular pension (annuity) to Employees Provident Fund contributors instead of the current lump-sum payout, Deputy Labour Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said. The EPF faces net outflows and is used to fund budget deficits amid an ageing population and public sector pension burdens.

The US Congressional Budget Office projects net interest costs will rise from $881 billion in FY2024 to $1.0 trillion in FY2026 and to nearly $1.8 trillion by 2035. Interest payments in 2024 already exceeded Medicare and defence outlays, making net interest one of the largest federal spending items.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission and the Insurance Association will launch Sri Lanka’s Digital Motor Insurance Card tomorrow to enable nationwide digital verification and replace physical plastic cards. IASL members will donate 500 tablets to police and the Optional Compensation Scheme cap was raised to Rs. 1 million.

Union Assurance PLC's 2024 Annual Report 'Folds of Value' won the Silver Award in the Life Insurance category at the SAFA Best Presented Annual Report Awards 2024. It is the highest recognition achieved by a Sri Lankan company in that category, highlighting the firm's reporting and governance standards.