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ComBank posts stellar results in 2024 after absorbing a SLISB restructure loss of Rs 45 bn.

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The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group, comprising of Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank, its subsidiaries and an associate, in a filing of its annual financial statements with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has reported an exceptionally strong financial performance in 2024. Prudent provisioning for impairment charges and other losses, effective balance sheet management and strong lending growth helped mitigate a substantial loss materialised from the restructuring of the Sri Lanka International Sovereign Bonds (SLISBs) held by the Bank.

The Group recognised its full net loss of Rs 45.11 Bn., from the restructuring of SLISBs in the final quarter of the year, resulting in gross income for the 12 months ending 31st December 2024 reducing by 19.50% to Rs 274.98 Bn. However, a net impairment reversal of Rs 62.30 Bn., primarily due to provision reversals in respect of SLISBs, significantly cushioned the overall impact. Lower interest rates brought interest income down by 7.54% to Rs 275.22 Bn., further impacting the Group’s topline, the Group said.

Timely repricing of deposits and the strong CASA base of the Bank, resulted in total interest expenses reducing by 25.63% to Rs 157.08 Bn., enabling the Group to record a healthy growth of 36.71% in net interest income to Rs 118.13 Bn., compared to Rs 86.41 Bn. in 2023. In the meantime, net fee and commission income grew by 5.62% to Rs 23.65 Bn.

Notably, a decrease in net other operating income of Rs 12.19 Bn., or 58.93%, was largely offset by a reduction in losses from trading of Rs 10.28 Bn. or 82.37%.

Consequently, the Group’s net operating income surged by 103.61% to Rs 169.35 Bn. for the year under review, with Q4 alone contributing Rs 73.65 Bn., an increase of 227.25%. With operating expenses for the full year growing by a moderate rate of 17.04% to Rs 51.84 Bn., the Group reported an operating profit before taxes on financial services of Rs 117.52 Bn., an increase of 202.21% over the previous year.

Taxes on financial services increased by 297.20% to Rs 19.71 Bn., resulting in profit before income tax of Rs 97.81 Bn., for the 12 months, an improvement of 188.29% over the previous year. The income tax charge for the year increased by 250.22% to Rs 42.12 Bn., leading to a net profit after tax of Rs 55.69 Bn. for 2024, reflecting a growth of 154.28%.

Total tax charges of the Group for the year amounted to Rs 61.83 Bn., well over triple the Rs 16.99 Bn. tax charge in respect of the preceding year.

Taken separately, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC reported a profit before tax of Rs 95.53 Bn., and a profit after tax of Rs 54.07 Bn. for the year reviewed, recording growths of 199.67% and 164.28%, respectively. Basic earnings per share rose to Rs 37.74, up from Rs 14.89 for 2023.

Commenting on these results, Commercial Bank Chairman Mr Sharhan Muhseen said: “While we appreciate that greater stability has been achieved in the country’s macroeconomic environment and that the restructuring of sovereign debt is a positive step, its final outcome is a substantial loss for most banks. In that context, our 2024 results highlight the value of Commercial Bank’s prudential approach to managing external challenges as well as its core banking obligations, and its ability to leverage on operational resilience in difficult times.”

Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Mr Sanath Manatunge noted that the Bank had in 2023 proactively increased its provision cover for possible losses from Sri Lanka International Sovereign Bonds from 35% to 52%, and further increased the cover to 54% in the second quarter of 2024, resulting in a cumulative impairment provision of Rs 92.86 Bn. on SLISBs up to the date of derecognition of these bonds. These measures helped the Bank mitigate the net losses sustained on the restructuring of these bonds.

Lending reached an all-time high in the final quarter of the year reviewed, during which the loan book grew by a noteworthy Rs 108.69 Bn. at a monthly average of Rs 36.23 Bn. This drove the gross loans and advances to Rs 1.53 Tn., an improvement of 17.73%. Deposit growth also accelerated, increasing by Rs 79.56 Bn. in Q4 alone at a monthly average of Rs 26.52 Bn., bringing the total deposits to Rs 2.31 Tn., with a YOY increase of 7.36%. As a result, total assets of the Group increased by Rs 220.39 Bn. over the 12 months to Rs 2.876 Tn. as at 31st December 2024, reflecting a healthy growth of 8.30%.

The CASA ratio of the Bank stood at 38.07% as at 31st December 2024, a marginal drop compared to 39.23% at end December 2023, but remains one of the best in the industry, the Bank said.

The Bank’s cost to income ratio excluding taxes on financial services stood at 48.88%, while the figure inclusive of taxes on financial services was 68.18% for 2024. Notably, these ratios improved to 33.85% and 41.89% respectively when the effect of the net loss on restructuring of SLISBs is discounted.

In terms of asset quality, the Bank’s impaired loans (Stage 3) ratio improved to 2.76% compared to 5.85% at end 2023, while its impairment (Stage 3) to Stage 3 loans ratio reached 64.61% from 43.22% a year ago, consequent to a decision to improve provision cover on a prudent basis.

Meanwhile, the Bank’s liquidity coverage ratio for the year reviewed stood at 529.20% for Rupees and 454.36% for all currencies, both more than four times the statutory minimum ratios of 100%. The Bank’s net stable funding ratio stood at 187.29% as at 31st December 2024, nearly double the minimum statutory requirement of 100%.

The Bank reported its Tier 1 and Total Capital Ratios at 14.227% and 18.142% respectively as at 31st December 2024, both comfortably above the regulatory minimum ratios of 10% and 14% respectively. The Bank’s net interest margin increased to 4.27% for the year under review compared to 3.32% reported for 2023. The Bank’s return on assets (before tax) improved to 3.56% from 1.27% for 2023 while the return on equity too improved to 22.06% for the year, from 9.78% for 2023.



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SriLankan Airlines records revenue increase with AI and ML-powered Revenue Management System

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SriLankan Airlines recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of its AI- and ML-powered Revenue Management System, a project that earned the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 by PROS and the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.

SriLankan Airlines has recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of a next-generation, AI and Machine-Learning (ML) powered Origin and Destination (O&D) revenue management platform. The system enables dynamic pricing and smarter inventory optimisation, while delivering a superior passenger experience across all sales channels through real-time seat availability and predictive analytics.

Kshanaka Saparamadu, Head of Revenue Management at SriLankan Airlines, remarked, “Embracing the latest revenue management technology is a testament to our commitment to continuous innovation and digital transformation. With the introduction of PROS Revenue Management Advantage and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation, we are not only refining our current processes but also positioning ourselves for long-term success in modern airline retailing, ensuring we stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.”

Chamara Perera, Group Head of IT at SriLankan Airlines, added, “This transition to a dynamic, integrated revenue management system reflects our strategic focus on remaining agile in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving airline industry. As the aviation sector undergoes rapid digital transformation, SriLankan Airlines is enhancing its ability to respond swiftly to market fluctuations and meet the evolving demands of today’s travelers.”

Powered by PROS’ AI-driven Revenue Management Advantage (RMA) and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation (RAAV), the platform leverages AI algorithms and ML models to improve alignment of capacity and demand, optimise premium seat allocation and respond swiftly to market shifts. These capabilities deliver unmatched agility and scalability, boost yield and position SriLankan Airlines at the forefront of digital transformation in aviation.

Industry benchmarks show that O&D-based revenue optimisation models typically deliver a 3%-5% increase in passenger revenue, underscoring the new revenue management system as a key driver, among other strategic factors, to the 13% growth recorded by SriLankan Airlines during the first three quarters of the 2025-2026 financial year.

This initiative has not only enhanced SriLankan Airlines’ agility, scalability, and competitiveness in a dynamic global aviation market, but also strengthened collaboration between pricing, demand and flight analyst teams, earning two awards in the process. It was recognised with the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 in Las Vegas by PROS, as well as the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 in Colombo by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.

As SriLankan Airlines continues its modernisation journey, the new integrated revenue management platform will significantly improve SriLankan Airlines’ global market position, its ability to attract and retain high value connecting passengers, and competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.(SriLankan Airlines)

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CCC delegation completes prestigious International Trade Facilitation Programme

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A delegation of 30 professionals from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently completed a specialised residential training programme on International Trade Facilitation at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi.

Hosted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, a premier institution established under India’s Ministry of Commerce and widely regarded as a leading centre of excellence in international trade education and research, the programme also included engagements with several of India’s most prominent trade and diplomacy institutions. These included the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the government authority responsible for shaping and implementing India’s foreign trade policy; the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, the country’s premier training institution for diplomats; the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body representing India’s exporting community; and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India’s most influential industry associations. Together, these engagements offered participants valuable insights into how policy, diplomacy, and industry interact in a robust manner to facilitate trade and economic progress.

Over nine days, participants explored key aspects of global commerce, including the international trading system, trade negotiations, economic intelligence, trade finance, and emerging issues such as AI, cyber risk, and digital transformation.

The programme offered valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of international trade and the systems that support it, while highlighting ways in which chambers of commerce can further leverage their existing role in supporting businesses navigate global markets, contributing to policy discussions, and strengthen the broader trade ecosystem.

The programme was designed and overseen by Dr. Rohit Mehtani, Dean at IIFT and a widely respected expert in international trade diplomacy and negotiations, whose academic work and advisory experience have contributed to international trade discourse.

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LOLC Life Assurance hosts MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 honouring top performers

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Chandana L. Aluthgama Executive Director/Principal Officer LOLC Life Assurance Ltd // Jayantha Kalinga Chief Operating Officer LOLC Life Assurance Ltd.

LOLC Life Assurance recently hosted its MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 at the Hilton Colombo Residences, celebrating its 2025 MDRT qualifiers while aspiring the team to achieve even greater milestones in the year ahead. The event brought together senior leadership and top performing advisors in a distinguished forum focused on recognising performance excellence, sharing industry insights, and setting the strategic direction for continued success.

In 2025, the Company produced 89 MDRT qualifiers, including six Court of the Table (COT) and two Top of the Table (TOT) achievers, along with one Lifetime MDRT member. Representing Agency and Bancassurance channels, these professionals demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering responsible financial guidance and long-term protection solutions to individuals and families across Sri Lanka.

The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is globally recognised as the benchmark of excellence in the life insurance and financial services profession. Membership is reserved for individuals who meet rigorous production targets and uphold strict ethical standards. Achieving MDRT status is widely regarded as a mark of credibility, trust, and advisory distinction.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Chandana L. Aluthgama, Executive Director and Principal Officer of LOLC Life Assurance stated, “It is with great pride that we recognise our MDRT qualifiers for their dedication, discipline, and integrity, which set a benchmark of excellence for our advisory force and reflect the customer-first values that define LOLC Life Assurance. These achievers deserve recognition not only for meeting targets or selling policies, but also for safeguarding families, empowering individuals to build their legacies, and supporting financial independence, providing certainty and confidence in an unpredictable world. In acknowledging their exceptional contributions, I congratulate all our MDRT qualifiers and am confident they will continue to deliver meaningful financial protection while creating lasting value for our clients and communities.”

Further echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jayantha Kalinga, Chief Operating Officer of LOLC Life Assurance added, “This Summit not only celebrates the outstanding performance of our MDRT achievers in 2025 but also acknowledges the resilience, consistency, and customer dedication demonstrated by our teams throughout the year. As we move forward, we will continue to strengthen capabilities through structured development initiatives, advanced training tools, and robust operational support, empowering our advisors to serve clients with confidence and professionalism while further expanding our MDRT presence in the years ahead.”

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