The People’s Bank achieved its highest-ever profit in 2025, while the Bank of Ceylon recorded its strongest financial performance in its 87-year history during the same year. The National Savings Bank also registered a record pre-tax profit of Rs. 59 billion in 2025, according to the Chairpersons of the respective banks.

These remarks were made during the presentation of the 2025 Annual Reports of the People’s Bank, Bank of Ceylon and National Savings Bank to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

Accordingly, Chairman of the People’s Bank Prof. Narada Fernando, Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon Mr Kavinda De Soysa and Chairman of the National Savings Bank Dr Harsha Cabraal respectively presented the relevant reports to the President on this occasion.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the People’s Bank, Prof. Narada Fernando, stated that the bank had recorded its highest-ever profit in 2025.

He further noted that the profit amounted to Rs. 64.4 billion before tax and Rs. 40 billion after tax.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon, Mr Kavinda De Soysa, stated that the bank had achieved the highest profit in its 87-year history in 2025. He further noted that this amounted to a pre-tax profit of Rs. 120.8 billion, while Rs. 77 billion had been paid to the Government as taxes.

The Chairman of the National Savings Bank, Dr Harsha Cabraal, stated that the bank had recorded its highest-ever pre-tax profit of Rs. 59 billion in 2025. He further noted that the National Savings Bank had also contributed Rs. 6 billion in dividends to the Treasury.

Indian officials called for the swift implementation of a proposed regional energy hub in Sri Lanka at the start of bilateral talks in Colombo.

The planned oil hub in the northeastern port of Trincomalee featured in a meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, India’s visiting Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters.

The project, which also involves the United Arab Emirates, has been under discussion since 2023, he added.

“There is no further time to lose in making progress on strategic projects such as these,” said Misri, who is visiting the Sri Lankan capital along with India’s Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan.

Sri Lanka, India and the UAE signed an agreement a year ago, following two years of talks, to set up a multi-product oil pipeline connecting the two South Asian neighbours and to establish the Trincomalee oil storage complex.

Japan announced a $10 billion financial support package for Asian nations, including Sri Lanka, to help them secure crude oil supplies as global prices surge amid the Middle East conflict, according to The Mainichi.

The initiative aims to ensure that petroleum‑derived products manufactured across Asia continue to flow into Japan despite rising geopolitical risks.

Sri Lanka joined regional and partner countries in discussions surrounding the plan at a Japan‑led virtual leaders’ meeting.

The assistance was announced by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi following an online conference with counterparts mainly from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The financial support is designed to strengthen regional energy supply chains through measures such as loans for procuring crude oil and petroleum products and the expansion of oil stockpiles.

“Japan is closely interconnected with each Asian country through supply chains and mutually dependent with them,” Takaichi told reporters. She warned that oil shortages or supply disruptions in Asian countries could have a “significant negative impact” on Japan’s economy and society.