*JKSB Opening Bell – News Snippets* 🔔 *15.05.2025* *Gold prices drop in Sri Lanka* “Gold prices in Sri Lanka have decreased by approximately Rs. 6,000, according to the latest market data from the Colombo Gold Centre.” https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=108484 *Secondary bond market yields see-saw; close down* “The secondary bond market during the week ending 09 May 2025 initially started off on a positive note and saw yields edge lower.” https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Secondary-bond-market-yields-see-saw--close-down/42-776414 *Sri Lanka sells Rs173bn in Treasury bills, mostly longer term, yields flat* “Sri Lanka has sold 173 billion rupees of Treasury bills, with yields flat across maturities, data from the state debt office showed.” https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-rs173bn-in-treasury-bills-mostly-longer-term-yields-flat-220737/ *Sri Lanka coconut prices slide despite global shortage* “Sri Lanka’s average coconut prices have slid at the weekly auction, Coconut Development Authority Data (CDA) showed, despite the global coconut shortage.” https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-coconut-prices-slide-despite-global-shortage-220734/ *Printing and publishing production increases by 54.5%* “Sri Lanka’s industrial production of printing and publishing media increased by 54.5% in the first quarter of the year, with production in March growing by 35.2% in the month of March on year-on-year terms, data from the Sri Lanka Census and Statistics shows.” https://www.themorning.lk/articles/QzqWUYhRYlOglrq5Z90V *Sri Lanka Tourism sees strong early May recovery* “Industry analysts observing Sri Lanka’s tourism performance in early May suggested that the island nation was experiencing a robust recovery, further solidifying its position as a preferred destination in South Asia.” https://www.themorning.lk/articles/yP3qAzdJHMIUCcPZDB3F *Sri Lanka Commercial Bank net up 38-pct in March quarter* “Sri Lanka’s Commercial Bank of Ceylon has reported profits of 14.97 billion rupees, up 38.5 percent from a year ago, helped net interest income growth amid an expansion in credit and other operating income, interim accounts show.” https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-commercial-bank-net-up-38-pct-in-march-quarter-220852/ *Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank net up 149-pct in March quarter* “Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank profits grew 135 percent in the March 2025 quarter to 8.92 billion rupees, helped by forex gains on depreciation and capital gains on rupee bonds, interim accounts show.” https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-sampath-bank-net-up-149-pct-in-march-quarter-220839/ *NDB pre-tax profits surge 118% to Rs. 4 b; marks strong start for 2025* “National Development Bank PLC (NDB) yesterday announced its financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2025, reflecting solid growth in line with the revival of economic activity and rising private sector credit demand.” https://www.ft.lk/front-page/NDB-pre-tax-profits-surge-118--to-Rs--4-b--marks-strong-start-for-2025/44-776487 *Nations Trust Bank records strong 1Q performance* “Nations Trust Bank PLC said yesterday it reported strong financial results for the three months ending 3 March, achieving a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 4 billion, up by 8% YoY.” https://www.ft.lk/financial-services/Nations-Trust-Bank-records-strong-1Q-performance/42-776463