Business
Allegation against state bank hits investor confidence
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
CSE investor sentiment was affected yesterday close on the heels of Samagi Jana Balawegaya legislator Harsha de Silva telling parliament that a state bank had defaulted on a contract payment, stock market analysts said.
De Silva said that Sri Lankan banks had faced counterparty limit cuts since a downgrade of sovereign credit, which has tightened in recent times, making it harder to roll-over contracts.
“A few months ago, I warned in parliament about state banks borrowing dollars at high rates through swaps where premiums were negative, de Silva told parliament. The main opposition questioned in parliament whether a state bank had delayed payment on a contract, as the country struggles with a foreign exchange crisis triggered by money printed to maintain low interest rates.
Amid those developments the stock market was somewhat volatile and buying interests were noted in blue-chip counters but lower turnover level/ or below average turnover did not support the market to sustain its momentum. However, the market has some hope as the government has taken some steps to salvage fiscal and monetary consolidation via an IMF bailout, stock market analysts said.
Consequently, both indices showed mixed reactions. The All- Share Price Index went down by 6.1 points and S and P SL20 rose by 22.2 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.7 billion with a single crossing. The crossing was reported in LB Finance, which crossed 323,000 shares to the tune of Rs 20.7 million, its shares traded at Rs 64.
In the retail market, top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Expolanka Holdings Rs 294 million (1.1 million shares traded), LOLC Holdings Rs 160 million (200,000 shares traded), ACL Cables Rs 133 million (1.6 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 119 million (11.6 million shares traded), JKH Rs 116 million (740,000 shares traded), Royal Ceramic Rs 94.8 million (1.8 million shares traded) and Chevron Lubricants Rs 74.7 million (764,000 shares traded). During the day 50.9 million share volumes changed hands in 14000 transactions.
Sunshine Holdings has entered into a sales and purchase agreement with another high-net worth investor, Govindasamy Sathasivam, for acquiring a 100 per cent stake in Sunshine Teas Pvt Limited for a Rs 1.4 billion consideration. Meanwhile, Sunshine Holdings plans to purchase a 28 per cent stake in Sunshine HealthCare Lanka Limited for a Rs 2.6 billion financial consideration from Akbar Brothers. However, a 72 per cent stake was purchased from the same company some time ago.
Though the index began trading on an upbeat note, retail favourite counters started losing the positive momentum and eventually led the market to close lower for the eighth consecutive day on the previous day at 10,458, losing 33 points.
It is said that high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in JKH, Lanka IOC and Vallibel Finance. Mixed interest was observed in Hayleys and Expolanka Holdings, while retail interest was noted in Browns Investments and SMB Leasing voting.
Separately, the National Development Bank announced a first and final dividend of one rupee per share and a scrip dividend of Rs.4.50 per share.
Yesterday the US dollar rate was quoted at Rs 280.90, which was the free float of the rupee against the dollar. Its rate differs among commercial banks.
Business
Business, economic heavyweights converge in Colombo
Senior business leaders, economists and international development experts, alongside the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will headline the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12 and 13 October at the Shangri-La Colombo.
The Summit will open with a keynote address by T. Krishnakumar, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, who brings more than four decades of experience in the consumer brands and FMCG sectors. Having previously served as President of Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, with extensive experience in building businesses and driving growth across emerging markets, Krishnakumar, more popularly known as Kk, now leads Reliance Consumer Products as it expands across categories and builds new customer, partnership and market opportunities.
Day 2 will bring together four international perspectives across discussions on economic resilience, regional connectivity, sector growth and digital transformation.
Lilia Aleksanyan, Senior Country Economist for Sri Lanka at the Asian Development Bank, will open the day’s discussions with a focus on Sri Lanka’s economic resilience. Her work covers the country’s macroeconomic outlook, policy advice and macro-fiscal and financial-sector reform. Her international policy experience also includes roles at the French Ministry of Finance and the French Central Bank.
The Summit will then turn to Sri Lanka’s connections with regional markets, with P. D. Singh, Chief Executive Officer, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, delivering the keynote for the session on trade corridors and value chains. Singh counts close to three decades of experience in banking and finance, with senior leadership roles spanning Standard Chartered, JPMorgan Chase Bank and HSBC.
The Sector Deep Dives will bring international perspectives to discussions on healthcare and energy.
Tushar Shroff, Chief Financial Officer, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, will deliver the keynote for the healthcare discussion, drawing on more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, strategic investment and financial transformation. His career spans senior finance and leadership roles with ABB, Piramal Healthcare, Intas Pharmaceuticals and Vedanta Group, giving him a broad perspective on the business and investment decisions shaping the healthcare sector.
For the energy-focused deep dive, Edore Onomakpome, Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal at the International Finance Corporation, will bring extensive experience in infrastructure investment and project finance across emerging markets. Since joining IFC in 2013, she has held senior roles across Africa and South Asia, including managing IFC’s infrastructure portfolio across 16 countries.
The Summit will conclude its keynote programme with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who will deliver the keynote for “Nation Building in the Digital Age.” The Prime Minister also oversees the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, bringing a direct policy perspective to discussions on digital transformation, innovation, education and the skills needed for a changing economy.
Together, these perspectives will bring regional, international and policy insight to SLEIS 2026 as Sri Lanka considers how to strengthen economic resilience, attract investment, deepen regional connections and develop new sources of growth.
Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will take place on 12 and 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.
The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Microsoft Sri Lanka (Pvt) Limited, Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.
Registrations for SLEIS 2026 are now closed. The Ceylon Chamber looks forward to welcoming participants to the discussions on Sri Lanka’s future trajectory on 12 and 13 October.
Business
Commercial Bank launches ‘Prestige’ banking for HNW clients
Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched ‘Prestige’, a three-tier banking proposition aimed at high-net-worth (HNW) clients, combining wealth management, advisory services and lifestyle benefits.
The initiative replaces the bank’s existing ‘Elite’ private banking brand with Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond tiers, designed to cater to customers according to their wealth profiles and banking relationships.
The bank said Prestige would provide dedicated relationship managers, priority branch services, preferential rates on loans and deposits, enhanced card privileges, family banking programmes and offshore account solutions.
Its wealth and investment management services include access to capital-protected income solutions, dual-currency investments, institutional deals and estate and portfolio governance.
Clients will also have access to specialist financial and corporate advisory services, including assistance with international relocation, overseas property and capital repatriation.
The programme includes lifestyle benefits such as VIP airport lounge access, travel concierge services, property management and medical coordination, as well as access to selected art and culinary events.
The bank said its flagship Prestige banking residence at R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07, had been refurbished, with the service to be extended to other economically important cities.
Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge said Prestige was intended to support customers in managing their wealth, business interests, family needs and long-term legacy.
Existing Elite clients are being transitioned to the new programme, the bank said.
Business
Ceylinco Life rewards 80 sales achievers with overseas tours
Ceylinco Life has rewarded 80 members of its sales force with overseas tours to Vietnam and China for their outstanding performance in the company’s 2025 sales competitions.
The group comprised 62 sales achievers who travelled to Vietnam and 18 who visited China.
The Vietnam tour included visits to Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake. The group also travelled to Ha Long Bay, where they went on an Aurora Cruise and explored attractions including Sung Sot Cave, Luun Cave and Titop Island.
The tour also featured a sunset party aboard the cruise, with music and refreshments.
The 18 achievers who travelled to China visited several of Beijing’s major historical and cultural attractions, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. They also took a boat ride on Kunming Lake.
A highlight of the China tour was a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a round-trip cable car ride. The group also attended an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre and visited the Panda Garden at Beijing Zoo.
The company said the tours were organised to recognise and reward sales personnel for their performance and achievements.
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