Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC and its subsidiaries became the first private sector banking group in Sri Lanka to exceed Rs. 3.5 trillion in total assets, reporting Rs. 3.61 trillion as at 31 March 2026, The Island reported.
Group assets grew by Rs. 230 billion or 6.81% in the first quarter and by Rs. 610 billion or 20.34% year-on-year. Gross loans and advances rose Rs. 71.61 billion in the quarter to Rs. 2.16 trillion — a 31.35% year-on-year increase — while deposits expanded by Rs. 171.14 billion to Rs. 2.87 trillion, up 19.04% from a year earlier. Net asset value per share rose to Rs. 203.34 from Rs. 173.84.
Group net profit reached Rs. 17.94 billion for the three months, up 19.80% year-on-year. Profit before tax rose 22.51% to Rs. 27.63 billion, while operating profit before taxes on financial services climbed 23.51% to Rs. 32.84 billion. Gross income grew 12.47% to Rs. 99 billion, with net interest income up 13.44% at Rs. 38.81 billion. Impairment charges declined sharply to Rs. 3.18 billion from Rs. 7.15 billion a year earlier.
Chairman Sharhan Muhseen described the result as a “characteristically strong and well-balanced start to 2026” supported by buffers built in 2025. Managing Director and CEO Sanath Manatunge said the Group had improved its provision cover to over 75% and its CASA ratio to more than 40%, which he described as the best in the industry.
The bank’s Tier 1 capital ratio stood at 13.32% and total capital ratio at 16.85%, both above the 10% and 14% regulatory minimums. The rupee liquidity coverage ratio was 368.83%, while return on equity rose to 21.37% from 19.51% at end-2025. The Stage 3 (impaired loans) ratio improved to 1.34% from 1.54%.
The disclosure follows Friday’s Q1 release by state-owned Bank of Ceylon, which posted Rs. 18.8 billion in profit after tax, and lands alongside Nations Trust Bank’s Rs. 4.6 billion Q1 2026 result. The Colombo bourse closed flat at 22,905 on Friday.
Source: The Island.
