News
People’s Bank achieves pre-tax profit of Rs 43.7 Bn for nine months ended 30 Sept.
People’s Bank announced its financial performance for the nine months, ended September 30, 2025, delivering the best-ever results in the institution’s history. With seven out of 10 Sri Lankans banking with People’s Bank and one out of every five retail and business loans in the country originating from the Bank, this exceptional performance reinforces its position as the most trusted and influential financial services provider in Sri Lanka.
The Bank’s solo performance was the primary driver of this record-breaking achievement. People’s Bank reported a standalone post-tax profit of LKR 28.8 billion, marking the highest nine-month profit in its history. This exceptional performance was recorded in spite of booking a significant amount as impairments on behalf of few SOE’s. Solo operating income stood at LKR 121.9 billion, a substantial 99.4% increase, supported by exceptional core earnings. Net interest income nearly doubled to LKR 103.9 billion, driven by effective asset–liability repricing amid changing market conditions, resulting in an improvement of the Bank’s net interest margin to 4.0%, compared to 3.4% in December 2024. The Bank also recorded its highest-ever net fees and commissions for the period, reaching LKR 12.2 billion, reflecting strong customer activity and strengthened transactional volumes.
The balance sheet continued to expand steadily, with total solo assets rising to LKR 3.6 trillion, deposits to LKR 3.2 trillion, and net loans to LKR 1.6 trillion, underscoring the Bank’s central role in national credit intermediation. Capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with Tier I at 11.5% and Total Capital at 16.0%, even after incorporating all prudential deductions, including those related to the State-Owned Enterprise restructuring. Liquidity levels remained well above regulatory minimums, with the Rupee Liquidity Coverage Ratio standing at 287.0%
While the Bank’s solo results formed the foundation of its record performance, the Group’s consolidated results also remained strong. Consolidated post-tax profit reached LKR 30.5 billion, with operating income amounting to LKR 139.5 billion, an 85.0% growth over the previous year. Consolidated gross income rose to LKR 312.8 billion, and consolidated assets increased to LKR 3.9 trillion, further demonstrating the Group’s resilience and the underlying strength of its subsidiaries. Consolidated net interest margins improved to 4.3%, supported by prudent margin management and heightened operational efficiency.
People’s Bank continued to demonstrate leadership in digital transformation, recording 5.7 million digital onboardings and 4.0 million mobile banking app registrations by end-September 2025. These figures reflect the rapid adoption of its enhanced digital platforms and reaffirm the Bank’s position as Sri Lanka’s most accessible and inclusive financial institution.
Commenting on the results of the Bank and the Group, the Chairman of People’s Bank, Professor Narada Fernando, stated that: “We are pleased to present the third-quarter results for 2025, which reflect the Bank’s sustained strength and resilience. The steady normalization of previously challenged areas demonstrates the depth of the progress made, positioning People’s Bank to support the government’s economic agenda while maintaining consistent and responsible profitability as a strong state institution. Despite ongoing macroeconomic complexities, we remain firmly committed to advancing our strategic priorities, driving innovation, and enhancing collaboration to deliver secure, seamless, and modern financial services to our customers.
Our focus on expanding financial inclusion continues to guide our efforts to ensure that all Sri Lankans can benefit from the country’s economic recovery. Our vision is to be the nation’s foremost financial services provider-setting new benchmarks in service excellence, innovation, and contribution to national development. By staying focused on long-term priorities and strengthening partnerships at every level, we are confident in our ability to support a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future for all.”
Commenting on the Bank’s record-breaking nine-month performance, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager Clive Fonseka stated: “I am proud to share that our third-quarter results mark the highest performance in our institution’s history—an achievement that reflects the strength of our shared purpose and the dedication of our teams across the country. Importantly, these results were delivered while the Bank was undergoing a robust business model transformation, shifting from a long-standing emphasis on state-sector financing toward competing more vigorously for private-sector business. This strategic repositioning, supported by operational excellence, customer-centric transformation, and strategic digital investments, has strengthened our foundation and enhanced agility, enabling us to deliver greater value to customers and stakeholders.”
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 25 March 2026, valid for 26 March 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
News
US dodges question on AKD’s claim SL denied permission for military aircraft to land
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Colombo declared that the United States and Sri Lanka maintain a long-standing defence partnership, grounded in transparency, mutual respect, and shared interests.
The official said so in response to The Island query regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent bombshell disclosure, in Parliament, that his government declined to allow the US Air Force to use the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, following the eruption of the latest West Asia war.
We sought views of the US on President Dissanayake’s claim against the backdrop of Sri Lanka being a party to the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) since 2007. Sri Lanka extended the ACSA in 2017, for another 10-year period, and its extension comes up next year.
The President revealed that the US had requested permission to use Mattala, between 04 and 08 March.
Claiming that the request had been made on 26 February, two days before the war began, President Dissanayake said that the US had sought to land two aircraft, carrying eight anti-ship missiles, but that the request had been turned down to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality. The President revealed that the aircraft were to come from a US base in Djibouti.
The US embassy pokesperson explained that questions related to operational movements, including ‘Operation Epic Fury’, should be directed to the Department of War (DOW) in Washington.
Camp Lemonnier is the primary base of operations for US Africa Command in the Horn of Africa. China, too, has its only overseas military base in Djibouti in the vicinity.
Military sources said whatever various interested parties said about US-Sri Lanka relations, the former provided significant intelligence support during last phase of the conflict that enabled the Navy to hunt down floating LTTE arsenals in international waters. Of the eight LTTE vessels sunk, the US backed four hits with specific intelligence, sources said.
News
No decrease in remittances from workers due to Gulf conflict, but significant drop in tourist arrivals – CB Governor
Sri Lanka’s worker remittances had not seen a decrease despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Central Bank (CBSL) Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday.
“Based on currently available data, they have not seen a decline in remittances. In fact, according to that we have observed, is a slight increase in remittances in the past few days, ” the Governor said at a media conference held at the Central Bank head office in Colombo.
Governor Weerasinghe also mentioned that he had not seen any reports about Sri Lankans returning to the country from the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.
The Central Bank Governor, however, acknowledged that there had been a decrease in tourist arrivals. He confirmed that tourist arrivals had decreased by around 17 percent due to the current volatile situation in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75%, following its latest Monetary Policy Board meeting.
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