Business

Systemic questions linger over NDB fraud inquiry

Published

4 weeks ago

2026/09/7

By Sanath Nanayakkare

The unfolding developments surrounding the massive internal financial irregularity at the National Development Bank PLC (NDB), valued at approximately LKR 13.2 billion, continue to demand rigorous public scrutiny.

As months have passed since the initial disclosure of the fraud in early 2026, questions regarding institutional accountability, regulatory oversight, and corporate governance remain central to discussions concerning the stability and transparency of Sri Lanka’s financial sector.

First coming to light through corporate disclosures and subsequent regulatory reviews, the LKR 13.2 billion incident represents one of the largest internal fraud cases recorded within a major commercial institution in recent times. Because NDB is a systemically important institution – with major state-backed shareholding through entities such as the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF), Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC), and the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) – the implications extend far beyond normal corporate missteps.

Public interest advocates and financial analysts have repeatedly emphasised that any major lapse in a bank of this magnitude warrants total transparency to maintain public confidence. Although the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and bank management have publicly assured stakeholders that customer deposits remain secure and day-to-day operations unaffected, the broader governance questions regarding how such significant vulnerabilities went undetected remain a subject of intense public debate.

A focal point of concern among financial analysts and governance watchdogs is the framework surrounding the independent forensic audit commissioned to investigate the transactions.

Entrusted to international expertise via Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP, the audit’s mandate includes examining the circumstances of the fraudulent operations as well as evaluating historical lapses in internal controls, oversight, and compliance.

However, critics, including public interest figures, have raised questions regarding the timeline for the finalisation and release of these findings.

Parliamentary oversight bodies, such as the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), have previously engaged with regulatory authorities to review the matter.

Observers point out that timely public access to comprehensive audit findings – without compromising ongoing criminal investigations by entities like the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) – is vital to ensuring that systemic gaps are permanently closed.

The NDB case has also cast a sharp spotlight on broader corporate governance norms in Sri Lanka, bringing elements such as board oversight, the role of external auditors, and potential conflict-of-interest perceptions into sharper focus.

Critics argue that maintaining public trust requires strict adherence to ethical standards at every level of corporate leadership, from commercial bank directors to regulatory supervisors.

“As the country seeks to attract sustainable foreign direct investment, establishing an uncompromised standard of accountability is paramount. For the memory of this financial fraud to serve a constructive purpose, institutional watchdogs, lawmakers, and regulators must ensure that investigations are brought to a transparent, logical, and publicly accountable conclusion, ensuring that public resources and systemic financial integrity are robustly safeguarded,” keen observers of this massive brank fraud say.

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

7 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

7 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

7 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.