Business

ComBank Loan book up by Rs 121 bn in 9 months, with 44% growth coming in Q3

Published

2 years ago

2024/11/18

Commercial Bank Chairman Sharhan Muhseen and Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group has achieved impressive growth at the end of the third quarter of 2024 by banking on judicious portfolio management and continued improvement of its CASA ratio to counteract the impacts of reduced interest income in prevailing market conditions.

Comprising of Sri Lanka’s biggest private sector bank, its subsidiaries and an associate, the Commercial Bank Group has reported net interest income of Rs 88.98 billion for the nine months ended 30th September 2024, an increase of 46.15%, despite declines in interest income and gross income for the period.

With interest rates for customer advances as well as government securities continuing to be lower than in the preceding year, the Group posted gross income of Rs 241.71 billion for the period, down 5.57% over the corresponding nine months of 2023.

Interest income was similarly impacted, reducing by 7.77% to Rs 207.12 billion, but repricing of deposits and a further improvement in the CASA ratio brought interest expenses down by a noteworthy 27.83% to Rs 118.14 billion, enabling healthy growth in net interest income, the Group said in a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

“The challenge for banks operating in periods of low interest rates is to grow their portfolios while managing margins with timely adjustments,” Commercial Bank Chairman Sharhan Muhseen commented. “Our impeccable record of prudence and fairness along with our demonstrated financial strength continues to drive deposit mobilisation, enabling us to continue to step up lending. The performance for the nine months reviewed flows from these dynamics, underscoring the Group’s expertise and resilience.”

Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge added that vigilant supervision of the quality of the loans portfolio, equitable and forward-looking management of impairment provisioning and timely repricing of assets and liabilities have underpinned the Group’s nine-month performance and would continue to be the strategy for the future. “Strong, consistent performance even in volatile conditions enables the Bank to continue to accelerate lending, and invest in digital transformation, sustainability and other commitments,” he said.

For the nine months reviewed, the Group reported gross loans and advances of Rs 1.42 trillion, a growth of Rs 121.06 billion or 9.34% since December 2023, at a monthly average of Rs 13.45 billion. Significantly, 44.20% of loan book growth was recorded in the third quarter of the year. Loan book growth over the preceding 12 months was Rs 177.88 billion or 14.36%, averaging Rs 14.82 billion per month.

Deposits increased by 3.66% to Rs 2.23 trillion in the nine months, despite the appreciation of Rupee against the Dollar, reflecting average monthly growth of Rs 8.73 billion, and YoY growth of 9.22%, with monthly average growth of Rs 15.67 billion over the preceding 12 months. Notably, while Rupee deposits grew by more than Rs 120 billion in the review period, the Rupee value of foreign currency deposits reduced by Rs 46.19 billion, due to the appreciation of the Rupee.

Total assets of the Group increased by Rs 108 billion or 4.05% in the nine months to reach Rs 2.76 trillion as at 30th September 2024.

Total operating income of the Group improved by 33.86% to Rs 115.72 billion in the period reviewed. The Group made provisions of Rs 20.02 billion for impairment charges and other losses, a reduction of 22.35% over the figure of Rs 25.78 billion for the corresponding nine months of 2023, which included a provision of Rs 12.57 billion for the third quarter alone. In contrast, impairment charges for the third quarter of 2024 were just Rs 1 billion.

Net operating income for the nine months grew by 57.74% to Rs 95.70 billion. The Group’s success in containing total operating expenses for the period to Rs 36.49 billion – a growth of only 14.12%, enabled it to report operating profit before taxes on financial services of Rs 59.21 billion, an improvement of 106.36%.

Taxes on financial services increased by 141.95% to Rs 8.87 billion, resulting in profit before tax of Rs 50.34 billion for the nine months, an improvement of 101.14%. Income tax for the nine months increased by 83.13% to Rs 18.80 billion, leading to a net profit of Rs 31.54 billion for the first nine months of 2024, representing a growth of 113.61% over the corresponding period of 2023.

Total tax charges of the Group at the end of the third quarter amounted to Rs 27.67 billion, double the Rs 13.93 billion tax charge in respect of the first nine months of the preceding year.

Taken separately, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC reported profit before tax of Rs 48.73 billion and profit after tax of Rs 30.38 billion for the nine months reviewed, recording growths of 112.70% and 128.33%, respectively.

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Business

Rs 160 million + diesel discrepancy at Lakvijaya power plant prompts probe

Published

9 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai.

By Ifham Nizam

A Rs.160 million-plus diesel discrepancy at the Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai has triggered an internal investigation, raising questions over the handling of public funds and the controls governing fuel purchased for electricity generation.

The discrepancy surfaced during an internal audit of diesel supplied to the plant from the Kolonnawa and Sapugaskanda fuel terminals, according to senior officials familiar with the inquiry.

The audit has identified five transactions—two in December 2025 and three in January 2026—in which diesel recorded as delivered to the plant allegedly could not be fully accounted for in its physical stocks.

The investigation is now examining whether these were isolated discrepancies or part of a longer-running practice.

One transaction under scrutiny relates to January 16, when records reportedly showed that 10 diesel bowsers had arrived at the plant. Investigators subsequently found indications that the fuel stock corresponded to only nine bowsers.

A storekeeper responsible for the relevant fuel operation has reportedly been temporarily removed from those duties pending the investigation.

A senior official said investigators were reviewing historical records amid indications that similar discrepancies may have occurred over a longer period. If established, the financial exposure could therefore exceed the Rs.160 million currently identified.

The investigation is comparing fuel-terminal dispatch records, tanker movements, plant-entry records, receiving documents and physical stocks to establish exactly how much fuel was dispatched, received and accounted for.

That audit trail will also be critical in determining who authorised, received and certified the disputed consignments, and whether established controls were followed.

Relevant documents were reportedly transferred from Norochcholai to the company’s Colombo head office on September 26 for further examination, with electricity-sector security personnel assisting in the transfer.

The internal audit has also reportedly uncovered expired chemical stocks worth several hundred thousand rupees in the plant’s stores. Investigators are examining whether further inventory-management irregularities occurred.

The matter was also reportedly taken to the Puttalam Police Special Crimes Investigation Unit on September 26.

When contacted by Puttalam-based journalist Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe for The Island Financial Review, Lakvijaya Power Plant Manager Nalaka Kumara confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to provide further details.

The financial issue is direct: if the plant paid for diesel it did not receive, public-sector funds were spent without the electricity sector receiving the corresponding fuel.

Business

Sri Lanka Food Processors Association holds 29th Annual General Meeting

Published

9 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) successfully convened its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 23, 2026, at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Bringing together key industry stakeholders and member organizations, the event served as a platform to review milestone achievements from the 2025/2026 term and outline strategic priorities for the nation’s food and beverage processing sector.

At the AGM, the new Executive Committee for 2027/2028 was appointed, comprising: Honorary President Aruna Senanayake C.W. Mackie PLC Imme. Past President Thusith Wijesinghe Trans Continental Packaging & Commodities (Pvt) Ltd.

President Elect Nadishan Guruge Meadlee Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd.

1st Vice President Damitha Perera Forbes & Walkers Commodity Brockers (Pvt) Ltd.

2nd Vice President Rasika Seneviratne Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC 3rd Vice President Deepal De Alwis Neochem International (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Secretary Amila Weerasinghe Nestle Lanka Limited.

Asst. SecretaryDineth Alahakoon Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Treasurer Sameera Jayathilaka Westmann Engineering Company (Pvt) Ltd.

Asst. Treasurer Niroshan Dalpethado C D De Fonseka & Sons (Pvt) Limited. In addition to the above office bearers, the following ten Executive Committee Members were appointed:

Sanjeewa De Silva Unilever Sri Lanka Limited Sheran De Alwis MA’S Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Limited

Thusitha Ekanayake Anods Cocoa (Pvt) Ltd.

Vijitha Govinna Plenty Foods (Pvt) Limited Ms. Praharshi Wickramasekara International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd.

Sanjeewa Niroshan SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Kushan Amarasinghe Finagle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Rangajeewa Hettiarrachchi Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Harindra Abeyrathna Vision Technologies International (Pvt) Ltd. Thilina Weerasekara Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

The event was proudly supported by key industry partners, with SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd serving as the Platinum Sponsor. Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. and Nestlé Lanka Ltd. joined as Gold Sponsors, Ceylon Agro Industries – Prima as the Silver Sponsor, while Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (LECS) and Hero Nature Products (Pvt) Ltd., supported as Bronze Sponsors.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hony. Secretary Deepal De Alwis, followed by cocktails and a fellowship networking session, providing an opportunity for members to connect and strengthen industry ties.

Business

Uber brings the ‘business class of back seats’ to Sri Lanka with Uber Black

Published

9 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

New premium ride option expands Uber’s portfolio from affordable Moto and Tuk rides to premium on-demand travel

Uber announced the launch of Uber Black in Sri Lanka, bringing its premium ride experience to the country for the first time. Designed as the “business class of back seats,” Uber Black combines premium vehicles and highly-rated drivers for riders looking for greater comfort, quality and a more elevated travel experience.

The launch comes as demand for premium products and experiences grows across Sri Lanka, with consumers seeking greater choice and quality in their everyday experiences. Uber Black brings this choice to on-demand mobility, whether for an airport journey, an important business meeting, a special occasion or simply when riders want to travel in greater comfort.