Nations Trust Bank recently renewed its longstanding partnership with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), continuing support of the organisations monthly public lecture series. The renewal reaffirms the Bank’s deep commitment to environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation.

As one of the key sustainability initiatives for the Bank, the partnership, supports a series of free educational lectures conducted by environmental experts. The sessions cover a variety of topics including biodiversity conservation, climate action, environmental research and sustainability. The lectures are open to nature enthusiasts and members of the public and Nations Trust Bank’s customers.

Commenting on the partnership renewal, Nations Trust Bank’s Chief Marketing Officer, Sanjaya Senarath said, “Environmental conservation is a shared responsibility that requires collective action and greater awareness. Through our continued partnership with WNPS, we are committed to supporting initiatives that educate and inspire individuals to make informed, environmentally responsible choices that contribute to the protection of our natural heritage for future generations.”

The upcoming monthly lecture, scheduled for 18 June at the Jasmine Hall, BMICH, will feature Dr. Prabath Jayasinghe, Principal Scientist at the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and one of Sri Lanka’s foremost marine researchers.

He will present key finding from the historic 30-day voyage of the research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, is regarded as the most comprehensive scientific survey ever undertaken in Sri Lankan waters under the Nansen Programme. For the first time, audiences will gain a rare, first-hand account of this groundbreaking expedition and its discoveries across Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB), one of Sri Lanka’s leading private sector banks, and Nucleus Software (BSE: 531209, NSE: NUCLEUS), a global provider of lending and transaction banking solutions, celebrated five years of partnership at a gala evening held at ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo.

The milestone marks five years since HNB selected FinnAxia®, Nucleus Software’s flagship transaction banking platform, to modernize its corporate banking ecosystem and support the bank’s long-term digital transformation vision.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed flat yesterday while strong investor interest in banking counters helped the market maintain positive territory despite mixed sentiment across other sectors.

Market analysts said the heavy trading activity in SDB Bank suggested a stock-specific trend that investors would be watching closely in the coming sessions.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 8.62 points, or 0.04 per cent, to close at 22,385.91, while the S&P SL20 Index declined 6.81 points. Total market turnover amounted to Rs. 2.56 billion, supported by seven negotiated crossings.

SDB Bank emerged as the day’s largest crossing, with eight million shares changing hands for Rs. 458 million at Rs. 58 per share.

Other notable crossings included Lanka IOC, where one million shares traded for Rs. 145 million; Commercial Bank, with 200,000 shares worth Rs. 42 million; Digital Mobility Solutions, with 200,000 shares valued at Rs. 34 million; and JKH, where one million shares were traded for Rs. 20.4 million at Rs. 20.40 per share.

Additional crossings were recorded in HNB, where 51,000 shares changed hands for Rs. 20 million at Rs. 401.50 per share, and in Lankem Developments PLC, where approximately 75,000 shares were traded for around Rs. 23 million at Rs. 302 per share.

In the regular market, the main contributors to turnover were Lankem Developments PLC with Rs. 125 million, ACL Cables Rs. 122 million, Lanka Realty Investments Rs. 116 million, Dialog Axiata Rs. 115 million, Digital Mobility Solutions Rs. 56 million, Hayleys Rs. 56 million and Commercial Bank Rs. 48 million.

Market activity marked approximately 107 million shares traded through 18,005 transactions during the session.

Analysts noted that banking sector counters, particularly SDB Bank, attracted significant investor attention, while Lanka IOC helped lift activity in the petroleum sector.

Meanwhile, in the money market, the Sri Lankan rupee appreciated against the US dollar, with the spot exchange rate quoted at Rs. 333.50/335.00 compared with Rs. 335.00/335.25 on the previous day. Bond yields also eased ahead of the Treasury bond auction, while international Brent crude oil prices declined, market dealers said.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne